Whats the hardest

[TurningTimmy]

Hi guys just want to ask a question. Whats the hardest thing about being a male dancer? For me it is explaining why I dance, and telling people (males) its not just for girls. People just do not not get it when I tell them . I guess its ment to be that way for some people

[Mel Johnson]

Worse than that is having to explain to girls who dance why I dance or danced. When I find a place like that, I find some other place, fast! - They're not ready for prime time!

[MJ]

Telling people what you do is easy, double tours and lifts are the hard part.

 

Mike

[mbjerk]

Robert Joffrey's phrase of artistic athlete worked for me. The athletic is what works for your classmates. explain that ballet is not only making a basket, but making it in a way that is told to you and judged like gymnastics. That helps others understand why it is so hard and appealing.

[Daniil]

Worse than that is having to explain to girls who dance why I dance or danced.  When I find a place like that, I find some other place, fast! - They're not ready for prime time!

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Well, personally I think it is easyier to explain a ballet girl why you're a dancer then a "normal" girl who doesn't do ballet.

Well, I gave up trying to explain boys why I do ballet. I tell them it's just for the girls (which is actually not true). It is so hard to change prejudices...

[Mel Johnson]

Let's just say that it should be easier to explain to girls who dance. If you have to explain at all to them, though, suggests that they're not really with the program. One of the problems I see in the US far too often is the ballet school that has become a "girls' club" and males are really not welcome. I can't speak to this phenomenon in Germany.

 

But, Daniil, I can't understand why you should back down so far when challenged by boys and men about dancing. You're far too good at what you do to have to hide your light under a basket. I know they're a pain, but if you can get their bottoms into a seat at a performance, they generally come around to your way of seeing things.

[TurningTimmy]

I only use the the "I dance because of the girls" trick when there is nothing left I can convince them with. That is true so it nevers hurts. But there are more reasons. I always try to convince people that dance is a wounderful thing, and they should give it more credit than it is given. The first reason I give why I dance is that I love it. The love for it is a really hard thing to break.

[BarreTalk]

Robert Joffrey's phrase of artistic athlete worked for me.  The athletic is what works for your classmates.  explain that ballet is not only making a basket, but making it in a way that is told to you and judged like gymnastics.  That helps others understand why it is so hard and appealing.

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Wow, that nails it perfectly!

 

However, I doubt I'll ever use it on a friend who says, "you do WHAT?".

 

I feel no need to explain myself or why I'm a dancer. Nobody ever questions why I go skiing, like to run, or about my passion for sitting in front of the computer for hours playing Flight Simulator (that addiction is more embarrassing than ballet could ever be).

 

Ballet is just another part of the complex stew that makes me me. I dance, end of story.

[Mr Robin]

Ballet is just another part of the complex stew that makes me me.  I dance, end of story.

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Amen to that!

 

It's a lucky person who understands that in their youth, though, I think - for me, the appreciation and acceptance of my own complex stew is something that's come with age. More than that, it's the thing that makes growing older such a joy!

[Mel Johnson]

it's the thing that makes growing older such a joy!

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That and the consideration of the alternative!

[BarreTalk]

It's a lucky person who understands that in their youth, though, I think - for me, the appreciation and acceptance of my own complex stew is something that's come with age. More than that, it's the thing that makes growing older such a joy!

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When you're younger, you try to fit in by doing the same things everyone else is doing. As you get older, you appreciate indvidual differences which makes others' approval less important.

[ping]

Coming back from an injury

[Guest Bryan Lawrence]

Hi guys just want to ask a question. Whats the hardest thing about being a male dancer? For me it is explaining why I dance, and telling people (males) its not just for girls. People just do not not get it when I tell them  . I guess its ment to be that way for some people

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Try not to think of it as such a big deal. I think you are prepared for a problem before you start to talk about it. Treat it like any other discussion. Be open, don't be afraid of the other person's opinion.Try to just state whatever you feel and tackle the response calmly, understanding that the other person just feels differently. If it becomes unpleasant then tackle that in the normal way. So be true to yourself and don't be afraid.

[Daniil]

Well, I changed my mind concerning the hardest thing for a male dancer.

 

For me it is now to clean up my desk/spot in the dressing room after a lot of work. Since I like, when everything is clean, I have to force myself and put all the things to their proper places

This is damn hard.

 

PS. I think that's why normally the desks of dancers look so chaotic

[Mel Johnson]

And maybe I could amend to say that the hardest thing to do in ballet is to walk slowly across a stage and not to look like you're thinking about going out for sushi after, especially if you are.