Guest Polo161 Posted June 23, 2004 Report Share Posted June 23, 2004 (edited) I have wondered this question for a while, Does a Guys height really matter? I'm about 5'7 I have had some people (in the field) tell me that my heigth does not matter, and others say i'll will run into problems. I have to say i'm not as intresed in partnering as I am doing some of the solo "fun/playful" roles. Are their companies in the USA and Abroad that prefer shorters guys? thanks I will turn lemons into lemonade........ Edited June 23, 2004 by Polo161 Link to comment
Administrators Victoria Leigh Posted June 23, 2004 Administrators Report Share Posted June 23, 2004 Polo, if you want to dance in a company I think you will need to get very interested in partnering! While there are some shorter dancers in most companies, and even some who do a lot of solo character or demi character work, they will all have to partner, and you're not going to get a job if you are not a good partner! Link to comment
Mel Johnson Posted June 23, 2004 Report Share Posted June 23, 2004 If you're 5'7", you're first, going to have to learn how to partner those who are really too tall for you to partner, and next, be technically proficient enough to command use as a soloist or featured dancer who dances or acts alone. 5'7" is only 2" shorter than the average American adult male, but there's a lot in those 2"! Many companies have dancers above and below average height, so it's difficult to say which ones they are, and even if we were to suggest, say, Joffrey, which has historically used men of shorter stature successfully, that could change with one whim from the Artistic Director! Link to comment
Guest Polo161 Posted June 23, 2004 Report Share Posted June 23, 2004 Thanks a bunch for the good info.... I love doing lifts and such. i find a great intrest in that.... My intrest in partnering is their and is grow with every class I take... Thank you, Chalres Link to comment
silvergreydancer Posted June 23, 2004 Report Share Posted June 23, 2004 I shouldn't really post on this board but you also don't like double post so, If I'm out of line! Sorry! Short Guys as Partners Are any of these "tricks" to partner girls taller than you written down? Or does this just come from working with partners taller than you and finding out what works. I'm just about to start partner stuff in the fall, more as a favor than anything. I'm 5'6". I'm not looking to be in a company. (Too old for that!) Just helpful! Link to comment
Mel Johnson Posted June 24, 2004 Report Share Posted June 24, 2004 You learn the virtues of partnering gracefully using the girl's forearms instead of their wrists or hands. If there are finger turns involved, lots of luck - how you handle that is between you and your partner. If you're alone together, you can at least start her off supported by the arms, and drop your hands to her waist, quickly when she starts the turn. Lifts are usually your least worrisome moments, as you can easily find where you're supposed to grab and lift by that without having to look down! Promenades were the trickiest for me, as the weight was spread out so much farther than I was accustomed to, but most of my "too-tall" partners were good about taking a position and staying there until it came time to go to something else. When all else fails, stand on a chair. Link to comment
Hans Posted June 24, 2004 Report Share Posted June 24, 2004 I'm 5'7". So was Baryshnikov. Of course, he had the advantage of being Baryshnikov. Suffice it to say that I'm now majoring in historic preservation.... Link to comment
Mel Johnson Posted June 24, 2004 Report Share Posted June 24, 2004 I'm now majoring in historic preservation.... Abandon hope of Porsche, all ye who enter here. Link to comment
silvergreydancer Posted June 24, 2004 Report Share Posted June 24, 2004 Thank you Mr. Johnson, I just ordered a book on partnering and I hope that will also be helpful. We will see! Your advice is well taken. Davy Jones of the Monkees said that all the girls in Hollywood are at least six feet tall. So, when he had to shoot a romantic scenes, he would strap wooden boxes to his feet! He called them "Man Makers." Thanks for the tips! Link to comment
thebill Posted June 25, 2004 Report Share Posted June 25, 2004 I am 6'3'' is that bad or good for me? Link to comment
Mel Johnson Posted June 25, 2004 Report Share Posted June 25, 2004 Taller men can find themselves in a mild bind when starting, trying to get all that under control. But once it gets there, it tends to stay there. It's another fringe benefit of ballet training that works in the "outside world". Link to comment
Hans Posted June 26, 2004 Report Share Posted June 26, 2004 Abandon hope of Porsche, all ye who enter here. Oh, I abandoned that hope when I was seven and walked into the ballet studio ;-) Link to comment
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