Inspired by the theme of the Pranas, the duo performed for the Narthaki Nataraj-curated Natya Darshan 24.
The Pros and Cons of Competing Independently
Most dancers who participate in competitions and conventions attend with a dance studio. But each year, a small group of soloists opt to go for it as independents, without a studio affiliation. There are plenty of benefits to this approach—as well as a few possible drawbacks. Before you sign up, consider what you’re willing to put into the experience, and what you hope to gain. Why Be Independent? For dancers who don’t attend competition-oriented studios, competing independently might be the only option. As a ballet student, Rachel Quiner—now in her first year as a main-company member at American Repertory Ballet […]
A Dancer’s Guide to Seasonal Affective Disorder
When Crystal Nicholls was a dancer in The Lion King on London’s West End, she noticed herself feeling more irritable and unhappy during the fall and winter months. Simultaneously, she was dancing more than usual because of extra shows added during the holiday season. “Our Christmas schedule was really packed, but I felt like the thing I wanted to do was hunker down, sleep more, and not go outside, and that made it really difficult to find the energy to do all those extra shows,” Nicholls remembers. Crystal Nicholls. Photo by Mark McGee, Courtesy Nicholls. Many dancers experience an uptick in work […]