When it's time to renew your contract.

Whether you're a principal or a corps member, renewing your contract can be tricky. It helps if you go in prepared. James Fayette, a former dancer and the dance executive for the American Guild for Musical Artists' NY division, says self-confidence is key. '!Even if you aren't the best dancer," he says, "you're valued. You should be able to say 'I feel like I should be compensated.' " He suggests these steps:

* Make a list of your accomplishments in the past year.

* Evaluate your greatest strengths. It may be character roles or rarely getting sick, but those are assets too.

* Think about ways to address weaknesses. It will help you build a more compelling case, and ease your nervousness.

Deciding how much of a raise to request means doing a little homework. Fayette says dancers who have some leverage should "overscale," which means asking for more than the AGMA minimum (www.musicalartists.org). He also recommends auditioning whenever you can. "It's important to explore your options, not necessarily with the intention of leaving," he says, "but to understand your value in the market."

As you work your way up, look ahead. If more opportunities are your goal, don't skip out on company class. Show enthusiasm for the roles you are given, especially when you get a chance to understudy. The more you get to dance, even in the studio, the clearer you can demonstrate why you deserve that next bump up.--K.P.