Below is an article written by Alexis Thebolt, a professional dancer and competition judge. Julie received permission to post this because she felt it held great insight into the Dance Competition World from someone who has experienced it from both sides.
In The Spotlight
February 2012
Competing Made Me a Pro
Alexis Thebolt ~ Proffesional Dancer & Spotlight Judge
I am a competition dance kid. Most of the dancers I work with year after year are
competition kids as well. Put simply, dance competitions, like Spotlight Dance Cup, gave me the foundation I needed to become a professional dancer and thrive in this profession. I believe in the valuable opportunities competition dance provides for young performers and I will sing its praises for all to hear.
In sight of the recent dramatization of competition dance's typically healthy educational environment, I am inspired to share with you my love for this world. Without dance competition I would never have learned how to perform because I would not have stepped on a stage before an audience until I was in high school. By joining my studio's competition dance team, I experienced bright lights, stage management, and the basics of live performance from the age of seven. This exposure from such a young age has proven invaluable. I have since danced for 7,000 audience members up to five times in one day as a Radio City Rockette at the Music Hall in NYC and have learned to thrive on their presence rather than being frozen in the wings at the thought of letting my light shine. Not to mention realizing how many people behind the curtain it takes to make the pros look professional. As a judge, I encourage young dancers to fight the natural tendency to focus on the floor and let the audience hold you up with their applause. This is a skill every performer no matter their age or experience is always striving to master. I also love the Sportsmanship and Backstage awards given by Spotlight. Every performer should respect the stage management, their fellow performers, and the hundreds of people who sacrifice every day to make them so amazing.
My years of dance competition also taught me how to properly take constructive criticism. I am going to be honest. This skill continues to be a challenge for me. As a young dancer I hung on my judge's every word. I absorbed their opinions, thoughts, and suggestions like the little sponge I was. Although, based off years of personal and professional experience, I soon realized their critiques were objective, but never forgot the judges are the experts doing what they can in three minutes to make me a better dancer. It never mattered if I agreed or disagreed with them because I quickly realized we are ultimately on the same team with the same objective to take my dance to the next level. The judges had earned their spot at the desk and therefore my respect as a constructive teacher and leader in my dance evolution. This resonates with me today in the professional world. My director and dance captain have a vision. It is my job to make their dreams reality. If I do something that does not fit their vision I am given a correction. This "note" is not personal. It is simply what needs to be fixed regardless of what I think. The director and dance captain have earned the right to critique me and deserve my absolute respect as their performer.
I have watched the dramatic dance competition shows as I am sure you have. I find myself entertained yet slightly put off. At times, I think they provide valuable
lessons to the young performer like wearing black shoes with black tights or pushing one's self to learn a new dance quickly and perform it before an audience; but the yelling at children and their parents is unacceptable. Dance is supposed to be fun! Competition dance is no exception. As a judge and Spotlight as an organization, we are touring the country to have a great time and encourage dance education in a happy, healthy community along the way.
In the same vein, the harsh competitive edge of casting portrayed on the television show, although inappropriate for five year olds, is unfortunately quite realistic in the life of the professional. I have been to hundreds, if not thousands, of auditions and at only one did I receive a courtesy call when I was not cast after making it all the way through to being measured for costumes. What was it? Why was I not cast? My torso was too long. The company did not want to rebuild all the costumes to fit me so they went with another girl who looked just like me only shorter. There is typically no rhyme or reason why certain people are "cut" and others "kept" and ultimately cast. The sooner a young dancer realizes to be a professional, one not only needs fantastic talent but the thickest of thick skins and a little luck the better in my opinion. I personally think encouragement and positive reinforcement are more effective motivators than their opposites, but this philosophy is not necessarily the norm on Broadway or on set in L.A.
More than anything, a young dancer needs a strong support system behind them and a deep personal conviction within them self to make it as a performer in the professional dance world. My goal as a judge and Spotlight's as a family is to instill these traits and nourish a young performer's confidence. I felt similar building blocks set in me as a dance competitor and I hope the dancers I see and speak to feel the same. There is no better forum than competition dance to learn what needs to be accomplished to become a professional performer. I am living proof!
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