balletstar18 Posted October 9, 2003 Report Share Posted October 9, 2003 I'm in a university ballet program where there is one major oppertunity to perform each semester, and that's it. We have 5 ballet teachers a week, including the two heads of the department, who cast and rehearse the piece for the performance. At the end of last semester we had conferences, where everyone was supposed to get feedback on their progress last year, and suggestions for improvement. I had high hopes for hearing something profound in this conference, but all I got was positive feedback ("hard worker", "good attendence", etc). They told me they saw no reason why I wouldn't be able to dance in a company after graduation. While I was disappointed that I didn't get something tangible to work on, I felt that was a great evaluation, and left for the summer feeling good about my position in the department for this school year. I attended two summer intensives (for a total of 8 consecutive weeks), took a 2 week vacation, and came back feeling strong, refreshed and ready to go. This year in class I get virutally no corrections. And then when casting was posted, I'm hardly in the piece at all. So I went to the two teachers that did the casting, and asked what I need to be working on. Again they told me that I work well in class, I'm improving etc. So I still haven't heard anything negative about my dancing. Of the 6 girls that got solos, 2 aren't even able to take full classes because of injuries. So now my feelings are hurt, I have no idea what I need to improve to be considered for roles, and I'm finding it hard to stay self motivated. What do I need to say to get the feedback I want? I want a professional career more than anything, but I feel that I definatly still need the year and a half of training that I have left at school before that's going to be possible. But how much can a year and a half help without me knowing what to do? And if the faculty truely see me as one of the worst in my class (as reflected in the casting), should I look into moving on, away from ballet? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Link to comment
Administrators Victoria Leigh Posted October 10, 2003 Administrators Report Share Posted October 10, 2003 Balletstar, the only way you are going to know is to ask. I know you did talk to them, but I guess you will have to be direct and just say what you said above. Tell them that you are frustrated, as they say you are doing so well, but then you don't get cast. Ask for the reasons. How about the teachers in your summer SI programs? Were they encouraging, did any of them talk to you about your potential for the future? Were there no conferences at either of the programs? Link to comment
balletstar18 Posted October 10, 2003 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2003 Both programs were positive experiences. I was in the highest level at both, the first one was bigger, and the conferences were kind of generic, in that most people I know were told the same things, but positve (you improved and worked hard etc.) The second was smaller, and their were no evaluations, I probably should have asked. But I had a scholarship to that program, and I had a solo in the performance at the end, so I felt like I was in a great place to go back to school. I think tomorrow I'm going to schedule another conference, and specifically ask why I don't have a good part. I think that they're going to give me the "every part is important speech", but at this point it can't hurt to try again. I also feel like at this point it would be a good idea to get an opinion from an outside party too, but I kind of thought getting into summer programs, and receiving scholarships etc meant people were encouraging me to persue a career. I mean programs don't accept someone that is 20 that they feel as no shot at a career right? Link to comment
Administrators Victoria Leigh Posted October 10, 2003 Administrators Report Share Posted October 10, 2003 Generally a scholarship to an SI, especially at age 20, would be indicative of some serious potential. However, it depends on the program too. And, your work in the college program could depend on the ballets being performed and your suitability for the roles too. So, there are always some mitigating circumstances. Link to comment
Guest petiteanise Posted October 11, 2003 Report Share Posted October 11, 2003 BalletStar you wouldn't happen to be attending the University of the Incarnate Word, would you? Link to comment
balletstar18 Posted October 11, 2003 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2003 petiteanise - No I'm not attending that school. Link to comment
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