Advice from dancers please! (or anyone)

Hi there, *brace yourself for a bit of backstory here* I am an ex dance student who wanted to try and go professional up until I was about 16. Then I had a bit of an emotional crisis and decided that I was never going to make it, and gave up on the idea of auditioning for WAAPA. I would have probably got in too; at the end of year 12 I won a Subject Exhibition for Dance from the Curriculum Council, and I know that all my teachers were disappointed that I didn't want to dance as more than a hobby. Not that I was particularly brilliant, but I at least may have had a future as a choreographer or something. So instead I went and did a useless film degree. Then I quit dancing all together at the age of 21, as I couldn't keep up with all the little 18 year olds in my classes any more. Since then I've just been doing a fun and not very challenging tap class once a week. But now, I'm starting to become plagued with regrets. I've been waking up in the middle of the night close to tears because I've been dreaming about dancing and how much I love it. It's becoming a bit unbearable. (Sorry to be so dramatic!) So my question to you guys is: Is it possible for someone who is 25 years old who has lost pretty much all of what little dance technique they used to have to go back to classes and become even better than they were before (to the point where they may even be able to audition for professional shows)? My inspiration is Catherine Zeta-Jones who hadn't danced since she was 19 before she did Chicago. True her performance was mostly singing-based, but she could move too! Sorry for being so long-winded, but I really really need to know what you guys think. Thanks. :)

You are certainly never too old. I find when working on a show that some of the best dancers are those who have come into it late and have a passion and a love for it. Not just going through the motions, so to speak. Not that I am saying all younger dancers lack the passion or love. Younger girls are still getting in tune with their bodies and generally don't know how to move it to their full extent and get embarrassed easily. As I said this is what I have found when doing shows, auditions and watching shows. Don't let the stereotype of they typical dancer get in your way. I never have. I didn't start dancing until I was 14 and have been getting better as I get older. I'm nearly 30 now and am doing more choreography than dance. My best suggestion would be to try out a few adult classes and find one that you feel comfortable in. Try all different styles of dance as it broadens your knowledge and strengths. The other suggestion is if you want to get into dance and choreography audition for community shows. We are always looking for dancers and choreographers. If you are in Perth check out the auditions section of this site, there are a few shows auditions are coming up for that are requiring dancers - JCS at Marloo comes to mind. :o)

Dancing & Choreography

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