One of the biggest mistakes we make when working towards a big goal is that we attach our success to a specific timeline. We work diligently for x amount of years, months, weeks, and suddenly we get to a point where we think, “this just isn’t working, I should give up and move on.” But […]
Are you a performer who often feels drained, unmotivated, or like you’ve lost your spark? The grind of rehearsals, shows, and auditions can take a toll–mentally, physically and emotionally. But it doesn’t have to be that way. By creating a lifestyle that supports your career, you can avoid burnout, consistently bring your A-game to the […]
As performers, our minds can either be our greatest assets, or our worst enemies. The stage demands our full presence and authenticity. Yet, all too often, we find ourselves trapped in a cycle of overthinking, stifling our creativity and inhibiting our ability to connect with our audience. So, how can you break free from overthinking? […]
If you’ve been in this industry for a few years, chances are you’ve been feeling the weight of the constant cycle of auditioning, rehearsing, and performing–and it’s starting to get a little too heavy. You’re overwhelmed, burnt out, and stuck in the daily grind that every performer is all too familiar with. It’s okay – […]
Fun fact: I tried to move to New York at least 3 times in my life. It never happened. Each time, I meticulously planned every step I would take to get there, and each time, something unexpected derailed my plans–an injury, a job offer, meeting my husband. I spoke to a group of musical theatre […]
I had just finished my opening week of my West End debut and I felt exhilarated. This was short-lived. I remember exiting the stage after the most difficult dance number and thinking, “I have to do this eight times a week for an entire year.” Exhilaration quickly gave way to panic as I realised how […]
The performing arts industry loves to project an image of glamour, applause, and the exhilarating thrill of the spotlight. However, behind the scenes, many performers grapple with a syndrome that can significantly impact their well-being and performance—Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). According to the NHS, SAD is a form of depression that occurs seasonally, typically in […]
When I was performing eight shows a week in a major West End show, I was on a path to burnout–but I had no idea. I thought I was doing all I could to take care of my body. I was going to the gym regularly, doing pilates every day, warming up thoroughly before each […]
Perfectionism was my superpower–until it wasn’t. Growing up in Barbados, life was predictable. We were all expected to focus on academics, attend a good university, find a stable job in a stable career–doctor, lawyer, accountant, engineer–find a partner, get married, buy a house, have kids and retire. The arts were seen as a hobby. Something […]
When you sign on as part of the ship’s crew on a cruise ship, there are lots of numbers you will have to remember. You’ll be given a crew ID number that you will need to quote when clocking in & out or recording your working hours on a timesheet. When you take part in safety drills on board the ship, you will no longer be known by your name but rather by your safety number. You will need to know which number liferaft or lifeboat you are assigned to in the event of an emergency and of course the first number you will want to learn will be your cabin number!
As dancers and performers we spend a large portion of our lives prior to entering the professional world developing our art. We not only train, but we dig deep to recognize our own very special qualities. We discover what we have to say through dance. We must, right?
Royal Caribbean’s purpose-built studios are situated on the north campus of Florida International University (FIU) in Miami Florida, along with housing for every performer who comes to rehearse. It is an impressive collection of fifteen studios, production and casting offices, costume shop, gym and 300 seat theatre equipped with aerial rigs plus light and sound equipment.
Miami took this one seriously. There was something about Irma’s 155mph winds bearing down on South Florida that made us believe she was coming, even as she raged towards the Caribbean Islands hundreds of miles away. Six days before the storm hit, water had disappeared from the store shelves and gas was scarce as everyone waited in line to top up their vehicles so they could make a run for it. I went to top up my tank at 4:15 on Tuesday morning correctly thinking it might be an opportune time, and when I passed the same gas station on my way to work at 9:00 am it had run out.
When Irma comes knocking, it’s imperative to have a plan. All your friends across the country will believe their plan is better, more informed, definitely more dramatic thanks to sensational television coverage, but if you trust your preparations and stick to your plan it can pay off.
Dancers in any college or studio/scholarship program are dancing constantly. Mornings are filled with warm-ups and stretching to get ready for the day. Evenings are spent in front of your phone or TV, almost always in splits or with a foam roller. It’s the life! Getting ready for the time when you are a legit professional. We all know one never “arrives” as a dancer because we will always be striving to get better: more technically sound, a more mature mover, a better-seasoned performer. But aspiring dancers do look forward to getting to the place in life where they are being paid to dance, not paying to dance. That is the table turner.
As a young and fully committed aspiring professional dancer, I thrived on hard work, taking initiative, and being fully dedicated to my art. I put in extra hours outside of class at the gym and stretched nightly.
Anyone who is fortunate enough to have landed their first professional gig in the arts knows that feeling, the elation you feel when you receive the call and the job is yours.
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