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. :)

One of the things I tell people is never accept "You can't do that" until you've tried. I changed my entire life and career in a period of about 18 months at the age of 39 and I've never looked back. Life's too short to stuff a mushroom www.tonymoore.id.au

first of all let me tell you a little story (short i promise!) i have a friend in england who was an extremely well-off real estate agent, he was given a raise a new office and was pretty much set up for the "perfect life", he didn't admit it to anyone but he was unhappy and regreted having left dancing at the age of 18 but felt that things were too secure and he didn't want to take the risk and go back... until he recieved the news that he had cancer. immediantly he started treatment and luckily his story is a happy one see the treatment worked and he vowed that he would be happy so he returned to dancing. he now owns a small dance school and couldn't be happier. don't let it take something awful to fuel your change... it might not always be a happy happy joy joy experience but in the long run you'll be a better person for making yourself happy. but he that dares not grasp the thorn, should never crave the rose. Anne Bronte "The Narrow Way"

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)

I totally agree with everyone's comments. I grew up in a small town with no dance school, then had both knees reconstructed at 15. I only started dancing a couple of years ago when I got into the certificate MT course at WAAPA, and I'm loving it. I got into adult ballet this year and have been thrown in the deep end with ladies who have been dancing for years and I've suprised myself by not being completely lost. I think I've made far more progress in these six months than I could have in years when I was younger, simply because I understand it better and I'm in more control of my body. I'm guessing it'd be like riding a bike - you never forget. At least your body has the muscular foundations of a dancer. I'm trying to get mine to do things it's never done before and it's hard, but I can do it. If the spirit is willing, the body will follow....

Hi Sariele, Although I am no longer a dancer (I began as one at age 9, which continued to age 17), I do understand where you're coming from re: the age thing. Dancer friends of mine all lament that particularly in this country, on a professional basis, Youth is King. That said, these girls are all in their early thirties and you're only 25!!?? Trust me, you still have time to achieve your dream. As an ex-dancer, I relate to your fear of having lost technique, etc after such a long absence from the stage in that capacity, but I have discovered that all that early training somehow settled into my subconscious and, as others have said, it's like riding a bike - the muscles do not forget. I have managed to move and even, yes, dance, convincingly in many musical theatre roles as an actor/singer, and it's all due to having that dance technique drilled into me as a kid. And there's more to working professionally as a dancer than just working in Australia - one of my dancer friends decided that there wasn't enough work over here and so headed to the West End in London - she's been in constant work since and she's now heading for her mid-30's. There's a different attitude in both New York and London to age and dancers than to here. On a related note - don't think that film degree is useless - here's a challenge - why not combine your knowledge of film with your dance experience? A friend in the UK produced a fantastic non-dialogue short film about a dancer (the entire story was told through dance) that has gone on to win several awards and was made totally on deferred payment ... I'd start looking outside the box and see how you can combine all that wonderful experience as a dancer, filmmaker and choreographer to make something truly unique and special. My advice? Go for it! Try out different classes, see what you enjoy doing now style-wise and just keep chasing that dream! After all, to get all profound for a moment, the only limitations we face are in our own minds. Good luck! Sally McLean Incognita Enterprises & Acting Up Drama Classes http://www.salmac.com/masterclasses/

I don't want to be a negative nelly heeh. But at 25 you really only have five years to go in a professional career if you average the life span of a dancer. Granted there are dancers that work until they are sixty, but they are very rare cases. My sister was a professional dancer from the age of 18 and finally retired from the profession for the most part at 30 - the average age of retirement for a dancer as a company will always be looking for young talent up to and generally not beyond the age of 30. However, if you get in there, work your butt off then there is a chance you could very well be picked up by a dance company. And if you are simply amazing, you're career could go on for years. Also if you are simply looking at dancing in musicals and not in Ballet or Dance based companies then you're chance at getting a career can only be improved by working on your dance skills. I did ballet for eight years and the last five years I have deeply regretted giving it up. And now I am 27, I have started taking classes over here in London - albeit having to drop down to easier classes, but I find that it all comes back to you pretty quickly. If it is something you really want to do - DO IT. No harm trying and if nothing else, you are doing what you love the most. Have fun, Enjoy oh and Hi to everyone from here in London - the weather is BRILLIANT!!!! Anthony

Well, you've certainly gotten alot of feedback on this one. I agree with the majority - if you were a good dancer when you were younger you will remember how to dance no matter how long you take off. I didn't dance for almost 6 years after learning for 11, and having started up again (I'm 26 too, by the way) I think I'm better now than I was when I was 15. You really need a good teacher though that will push you - I would consider private training if you're serious about a profession in dance - taking perspective into consideration, you do probably need to get your butt into gear time-wise. And start auditioning for as much as you can - if you can't find work in Australia, get on a cruise ship or hit London, there are plenty of places to go. If this is waking you up in tears, (!!!) do something about it, regret (and waste) is a terrible, terrible thing.