Answers 4 dancers.

TONY AWARD-WINNING CHOREOGRAPHER GROVER DALE IS EDITOR OF DANCE & FITNESS MAGAZINE. FOR THIS COLUMN, HE DRAWS ON HIS EXPERIENCES AND ASSOCIATIONS WITH 16 BROADWAY SHOWS, 8 FEATURE FILMS, AND OVER 100 TELEVISION SPECIALS.

HOW IMPORTANT IS MY LACK OF TRAINING? My name's Rick; I'm 21. I live in France. I wanted to give you a massive thank-you for your site because it opened my eyes about the entertainment industry. I want to become a professional backup dancer. As I read what you were saying, I told myself, "OK, Rick, just give up, it's gonna be too hard." That lasted about five minutes.

I'm a natural dancer, and I seriously got into hip-hop five years ago. But [during] a couple of serious talks with professional dancers like Nikki Pantenburg, Marty Kudelka, Gil Duldulao, and all the new "Janet" dancers that I met in Paris last May, they told me that, like you said, "reproducing MTV ain't the thing." I [decided I] needed full training, including ballet, tap and jazz. So my plan now is to head for L.A. next August and settle there for at least a year to get serious training.

What I want to know is if my lack of ballet and jazz training may be a negative thing for me in L.A. Should I wait until I come to L.A. and get the right ballet classes there? What do you think I should do?

Ricky

Sounds like you're jazzed about becoming a working dancer in Los Angeles! If you've got a departure set for August '02, that will give you plenty of time to get some classes under your belt.

Yes, definitely get your butt into class. Ballet, jazz, tap, and hip-hop. As much as you can manage without risking injury (see Health and Fitness, Dance Magazine, October, page 82). Any classes you take will be beneficial when you get to L.A.

Training is critical. Agents (you'll need one!) prefer to represent well-rounded dancers. They can spot a "free-styler" in a minute. A natural mover with a cool look might book a gig or two, but for the long haul, they can't deliver the complete package. You don't want to find yourself at a callback where the choice has been narrowed down to you and the guy next to you. You're both of equal talent and personality with only one difference. He's got training and you don't. Who do you think the choreographer will pick?

The photo you sent of yourself will be a definite asset to you. It will surely stimulate interest amongst the dance agents. You present yourself as an appealing guy who fits in with current casting trends. If you're able to deliver the performance skills, you're going to do great in Hollywood.

THE FOLLOWING DAY, RICKY WROTE BACK: Yeah, I'm very jazzed about becoming a backup dancer, and I thank you for getting back to me. Your advice helps so many dancers. Yesterday, I read your answer to a dancer named Sal. It really struck me. He, too, asked if his lack of ballet training would affect his chances of getting work and you said, "Yes, it certainly will. Many young dancers like yourself have made the mistake of thinking that picking up dances from MTV means they can book jobs. It doesn't work that way." I remained focused on those words for at least ten minutes, reading them over and over. It took that long to sink in. So you gave me a wake-up call, too.

Ricky

FOLLOW-UP:

There are exceptions to every rule, but frankly, I don't know of many dancers who've sustained careers on natural talent, looks, and vibe alone. When the chips are down, the gifted dancer whose trained body moves quickly, surely, and safely from one physical demand to the next will be the one who enjoys the longer career.

Re: "muscle memory": It doesn't kick in with a class or two; it's built with time and training. At its best, it allows you to take off and land correctly. It allows you to make proper connections between the choreographic highlights. It's one of those hidden skills. (Not having it can sneak up and bite you on the butt if you're unprepared.) Like its sister skills (memory retention and the ability to pick up steps quickly), muscle memory needs to become second nature so that during rehearsals you'll be freer to put the focus on your performance levels.

Re: the bigger picture: When it comes to sustaining a dance career, the good news (and the bad news) is that training never stops. If the idea of continuing education is repellent to you, stop now and select an occupation that demands less of you. If dance is the only career choice that will make you happy, get comfortable on the path to nonstop learning. You're going to be on it a long time!

CONTACT GROVER DALE AT www.dancemagazine.com, www.answers4dancers.com, www.auditions4dancers.com.