Advice for dancers.

How MANY MINUTES DOES A DANCE AUDITION VIDEO HAVE TO BE? I WANT MY VIDEO TO LOOK LIKE IT'S PROFESSIONAL, BUT I DON'T KNOW THE USUAL FORM FOR AUDITION TAPES.--CHRIS JAMES, LA MIRADA, CA It's hard to believe, but the best audition videos are under five minutes! These typically include a short variation, excerpts from a live performance, or steps from dance class that focus on your strengths. Pick a simple background without a mirror or piano, Most audition tapes start with a close-up of your face where you introduce yourself and describe the dance piece. You can make an immediate impression by exuding confidence with warmth and an unforced smile. The camera should then zoom out to include your whole body while you're standing naturally for a moment. A friend with a camcorder should be able to help you out. However, to make the video look topnotch, cheek out the Yellow Pages for a professional tape transfer to add titles and make copies. If you're using a digital video camera, your footage can also be tweaked using Final Gut Pro software.

How CAN PEOPLE SAY THEY'RE FANS OF NEW YORK CITY BALLET DANCERS AND BE SO MEAN WHEN WE PERFORM? A FRIEND OF MINE TOLD ME TO CHECK OUT BALLETALERT.COM, WHERE MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE COMMENT ON YOUR PERFORMANCE. I DON'T BLAME HIM FOR GETTING ME HOOKED BECAUSE THE FEEDBACK WAS POSITIVE AT FIRST. THE PROBLEMS STARTED WHEN MY SO-CALLED FANS BEGAN CRITCIZING NOT ONLY MY PERFORMANCE BUT MY WEIGHT! SUDDENLY, I WAS AFRAID TO GO ON STAGE. WHAT CAN I DO TO GET MY CONFIDENCE BACK?--UPSET DANCER, NEW YORK, NY Stop looking at this web site! While I doubt that anyone meant to hurt you, your critics have the advantage of remaining anonymous, a situation that makes them less likely to censor their comments. Ballet Alert's policy prohibiting gossip and insulting language curbs this tendency to some degree. Unfortunately, the web site's forum on "Dancers (favorite or not)" can still hurt performers who see their names listed under headings like "Casting from Hell," or read personal comments about their performance, body type, and mishaps on stage. Ideally, no one should have the right to critique a dancer without revealing their identity. Unfortunately, in your case, the damage is done. My advice is to get a referral from your company or your doctor for a psychologist who specializes in anxiety management. The International Association for Dance Medicine & Science also has listings of psychologists and other health care professionals who work with dancers. To order their directory, log on to their web site at www.iadms.org.

DO YOU FIND APPLAUSE DISTRACTING? AFTER ALL, NO ONE WOULD DARE CLAP AFTER HAMLET'S SOLILOQUY. SO WHY EXPLODE EACH TIME A DANCER EXECUTES A DIFFICULT STEP? Do YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION ON HOW THIS STARTED?--BEVERLY JABLONS, NEW YORK, NY Let's face it: All of us like to be acknowledged for our work. However, applause can be distracting when it erupts after something routine, such as a double pirouette. This generally happens with inexperienced, albeit enthusiastic, audiences. Feeling let down by the audience's lack of response is less problematic for dancers, most of whom are often just concerned with catching their breath. To put the history of applause into perspective, I defer to Clive Barnes, dance critic and senior consulting editor at this magazine. He assures me that applauding during the middle of a ballet is relatively new. Only over the last two decades has it become routine to applaud when a dancer performs a spectacular feat, like holding long balances in The Sleeping Beauty's Rose Adagio. This reaction is similar to spectators' at sporting events. Still, while applause can be an instant source of gratification for a performer, it rarely competes with the dancer's own inner satisfaction of a job well done.

I LOVE DANCE AND WANT TO PURSUE A PROFESSIONAL CAREER. MY CONCERN IS WHETHER COMPANIES MIGHT SHUN ME BECAUSE OF MY TATTOO. IT LOOKS LIKE WINGS AND IT COVERS MOST OF MY BACK. WILL COMPANIES MAKE AN EXCEPTION IF I COVER IT UP WITH MAKEUP? [EDITOR'S NOTE: STAY TUNED FOR OUR UPCOMING STORY ON TATTOOS IN A FUTURE ISSUE.]--MONICA MORENO, CHULA VISTA, CA According to Denise Jefferson, the director of Tim Ailey School, more professional modern dancers are getting tattoos than ever before. Still, these tend to be small and are rarely a problem because they are easily covered with heavy theatrical makeup. While it may be possible to cover a large tattoo during an audition, it's best to be up-front with a potential employer, since excessive body makeup could rub off on your partner's costume. You might also make an appointment with a dermatologist who can discuss the pros and cons of the latest laser treatments to remove tattoos, as well as makeup tips.

SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO: Linda Hamilton, Ph.D., at 2000 Broadway, PH2C, New York, NY 10023.

Former New York City Ballet dancer Linda Hamilton, Ph.D., is a lecturer, a psychologist in private practice, and the author of Advice for Dancers (Jossey-Bass). She has been offering advice to DANCE MAGAZINE leaders since 1992.