The Issues Within The Dance Industry Essay Example
You walk with your family into the theater and settle down into the plush seats. The low chatter amongst the people quickly comes to a halt once the orchestra begins playing a melancholy tune. The lights dim, and the show begins. You watch as the elegant ballerinas float on stage, effortlessly turning and jumping through the air. You know and admire their efforts. However, you do not know the extreme hardships it took them to get there. Reflecting on this imaginary scenario, the dance industry is one of extreme complexity, possessing multiple issues behind the beauty seen on stage.
A significant component of the dance industry is intensity. When trying to become a professional, one must face numerous obstacles - in most cases to even get an audition - not regarding actually getting the part of a show. Dancers are put under immense pressure to fit the "stereotype" regarding lifestyle, talent, and body. From personal experience, I can say the exhilaration of being on stage doing what you love is a feeling like no other. Bonds made with the people you dance with are unique - you have the same passion. However, looking at the broader image, the dance industry can be toxic and stressful when looked at behind closed doors.
One of the issues and topics of controversy within the dance industry is the fact that dancers are, in most cases, extremely overworked. Especially in the professional sector, dancers are told to go "full out" time and time again until the director believes it is perfect.
The "ballet burnout," as some call it, can incapacitate dancers, causing injuries, severe fatigue, and other issues resulting from the lack of rest. Interviews with dancers such as Taja Riley - who performed at the super bowl in 2016 - reveal the genuine complaints and burdens of the overwork. She says, "We're at a space where we are being overexploited as dance art is being overused, overworked and then undervalued and underpaid." In addition, research has shown that "75% of all injuries occur during preparation for performances when bodies are tired and/or overworked", as well as the fact that "the lack of time and resources for tissue repair, additional hours of rehearsal, and constant repetitive movements when rehearsing specific phrases from dance pieces have all been cited as causes." Dancers are pushed to give everything they can, even when it drains them of all energy they may have left.
I, as a dancer, have an extremely hectic schedule, as I attend over 20 hours of practice a week. My team is currently preparing to attend the Universal Dance Association (UDA) nationals in Disney World. Practices are scheduled for every day of the week, giving little to no time to mentally and physically recover from anything that took place the day before. This is a minor situation compared to professional ballerinas preparing for a show; however, it still demonstrates stress. Ultimately, in most instances, dancers give their all to the crowd, making their work seem effortless and light. However, the intensity and extensive hours of the rehearsals that go into these performances are often overlooked.
Another prominent issue in the dance world is the abuse of power, particularly in the form of sexual assault and harassment. As many who do not have personal experience may see in films, dance instructors are stereotyped as having a sort of "look" to them - the lifted, critical, sophisticated style, along with the witty tone.
Dance teachers have the job of enlightening dancers and shaping them into the best they can be. Along with directors and casting executives, dance teachers have evident power over who they work with. They can ultimately morph one's career path with one decision.
The level of power in the authorities within the dance world can be beneficial to dancers, such as when they get casted and discovered. However, this can also lead to its abuse. The unbalanced power dynamic between powerless dancers and directors leads to most dance issues in the world. Author Sara Komatsu ,in her article regarding the corrupt power dynamic in the industry, explains the way it is this way. She described how it is "so saturated with dancers all vying for the very small pool of contracts available in any given year." Dancers are so desperate to grab one of very few roles in the industry, and are thus seen as vulnerable.
Sexual abuse is one of the most common instances of abuse in the dance industry. In fact, the risk for sexual assault related PTSD in dancers is more than 3 times the amount of the normal . In many cases seen in the past and present, people in higher positions are assaulting and harassing younger, more vulnerable dancers.
Former famous ballet stars Dusty and Mitchell Taylor Button were recently accused of sexually assaulting dancers, leading to many lawsuits and an explosion in the dance community. It was said that they "used their influence in the highly competitive dance world to groom vulnerable young performers and force them into sexual acts that left them physically and emotionally scarred." This example, along with many others, is one in which dancers are manipulated and taken advantage of. During the recent #MeToo movement, which centered around survivors of sexual abuse coming forward, the ballet industry had a surprising number of statements themselves. It was revealed that many dancers did not come forward in the first place for fear of losing their job.
Moving on to another issue, most dancers are faced with the constant pressure to be perfect. This perfection goes beyond talent, however, but to the physique of a dancer as well. The perfectionism that goes along with dance creates an unsafe atmosphere within a dancer's mind - one that pressures them into needing to conform to the aesthetic of being thin and fit.. Growing up in front of mirrors, dancers constantly see themselves compared to other people - their friends, peers, and even teachers.
Pursuing this "perfect" body in the dance industry can be extremely dangerous. The need for control, the competition with others, and the criticism from teachers can push dancers over the edge, leading them to have severe mental and physical issues, most prominently eating disorders.
Eating disorders, such as anorexia, bulimia, and body dysmorphia, are unfortunately very common in the dance world. A report from TeenRehab.Org revealed that "eating disorders in ballet dancers are 10 times more common than non-ballet dancers." This statistic further illustrates just how intense and extreme the dance world is, pushing dancers to be perfect until they inevitably crumble.
The constant idea of having the perfect, ideal body can and has hindered dancers around the globe. Dawn Smith-Theodore, an author from Pointe Magazine, gave her personal experience with criticism regarding her weight and ultimate eating disorder. She says, "I thought losing a few pounds would help me jump higher and look better in my leotard. Yet the less I ate, the louder my inner drill sergeant barked negative criticism. ("Did you see how you fell out of that turn? What's wrong with you? The girl next to you has a much better body.”) Soon, the drive to be perfect took over my thoughts." This example of the inner thoughts of one dancer accurately portrays the thoughts of many others, as seen in the statistic above. Many dancers struggle with this battle in their minds, fighting to become the thinnest, most fit dancer they can be. This can eventually harm them, causing fatigue, bone weakness, and other issues that could affect them later in life. Eating disorders are a serious issue, and their presence in the dance world eats away at the joy involved in it.
The topics discussed above can be sensitive to some. If you or anyone you know is struggling with abuse or any eating disorders, please reach out to get the help you/they need. You can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 as well as the National Eating Disorders Association Helpline at 1-800-931-2237.
Overall, as seen in numerous examples throughout the article, the flawless dance performances seen at shows and on stage contain much more than the average person would know to see. Behind closed doors, the industry can be a dark place. The extensive overworking in studios and productions can run dancers into the ground. The unbalanced power dynamic - between the producers/directors and the desperate dancers - sets up an unstable environment that leaves the dancers vulnerable to sexual abuse. Lastly, the perfectionism instilled in dancers from the beginning can trigger eating disorders, as they want to have the "perfect" body.
I have danced for most of my life. I know that dance can be rough sometimes, but I also understand why people who struggle stick with it. The passion and devotion that goes into this sport are unlike any feeling. Being on stage doing what you love sends an exhilarating rush through your body. The issues that arise from the dance industry need to be carefully analyzed and taken action upon - through policies, reporting organizations, etc - so dancers can fully enjoy the sport they love.
