Posted by Vinod (136.182.2.221) on July 08, 2005 at 12:19:08:

 In Reply to: Career in dance at the age of 27

Posted by Sarada on July 08, 2005 at 04:42:48:

 As an individual contemplating similar questions as yours, I can empathize with you. Financial considerations are perhaps the most significant reasons of allthat have held me back from jumping the software ship and practice all day!

I live in the US and I can only speak of what I have worked out here. As far as jobs go, software offers you quite a lot of flexibility. You can work from home and work your own hours if you find a company that will accomodate your requests. You can work part-time so that you are financially independent and your earnings can support your passion. Performances do need a lot of investment!

I also control the creative artists that I work with and choose the dance projects that I collaborate on or create because I am not dependent on the art form for my daily bread. It gives me a creative freedom that perhaps someone who is entirely dependent on dance for a living may not have. I have had talks with dancers from chennai who tour the US with groups who absolutely do not want to be there or work with whoever it is that has brought them over. But, it is their livelihood and there are bills to pay and mouths to feed. Once they actually get into the dance rehearsals and performance, the artform takes over and the negative associations take a temporary backseat. I am not sure I want to be in that position. I like having the freedom of choice. I can choose to dance in my basement whenever I want regardless of someone watching. I can take classes and workshops without worrying about when I am going to get my next program assignment. I can choose the dancers and other artists that I associate with and not feel like I have to say yes to all opportunities that come my way. In some way, the fact that I am not financially dependent on dance has given me the freedom to be part of quality ensembles and work on my own terms.

It does require a supportive family/spouse to maintain this balance and I am sure that is especially difficult for a woman since she is almost always the primary caregiver at home. One the other hand, it has been a different kind of challenge for me as a man to contemplate a dance career because a man is also typically the primary financial provider of a family.

Have a frank chat with your husband and see what his thoughts are. Make short term goals and start slow. Try to achieve flexibility in your work schedule. Do not dump everything at one go and jump into another career. Associate with other dancers who also have alternate careers and build a support structure. Age is nothing but a number -if you are diligent enough, you can achieve what you want. But you have to be clear about what it is that you want.

Acceptance in performance circles will be very difficult and there will be trying times despite the enjoyment of dancing. Be prepared for all of that and do not look at taking up a dance career with rose tinted glasses.

Good luck! Let us know how things go!