Sunday, January 31, 2016

Representation

“Poetry is an echo, asking a shadow to dance.”

-Carl Sandburg

It is a dancer's duty to show pride for their dance credits. Whether that is a show they performed in, the company they dance for, or the dance team they are a member of. Representation is important and should be highly respected by the dancer and their team.

Examples of representation include the clothing apparel worn in public and the behavior in them. To show superior behavior in the apparel is vital, as it is a way of recruitment. When others see your studio name printed across your shirt, and with that you are modeling positive instruction, polite signals and a happy attitude they are more than likely going to be more respectable to you, and all others in your company. Likewise if you are dancing in a respectable manner they will understand that the show you were in was a great success and highly advanced. It shows a high amount of well-thought-of representation toward your dance team and gives an optimistic showmanship to be reflected across the whole team.

You should not only be representing yourself well in the community, but also at rehearsal. You should be a role model for those under you. That means respecting all your team mates, choreographers, guests, parents, coaches and teachers. You want others to share the pride you have in your dance life, so you should help them and share yours so that the whole aura is of great representation for the dance platform.

It is also key to note that there is a time and place for representation. A poor representation would be to wear your studio shirt or dance team shirt to an opponent’s performance. For example if you go to Studio 1 and you have a friend that goes to Studio Z, you should not wear a full load of Studio 1 apparel to your friend’s Studio Z recital performance. It’s rude and uncalled for, instead wear a neutral, everyday clothing. You don’t have to show your opposition to that studio, but it would also be rude to try and promote your studio at another’s event. Be respectful to other dance events, don’t tramp on other’s dance prides and loyalties. Show the respect they deserve as you want them to do for you, it’s better to build support for each other than to out due each other’s conceit.

Do your best to show good representation for the dance area you install your pride to, while at the same time giving opposing dance centers a respectable presence in their events.  Representation can make or break a dance foundation, so take it in your best interest to remember what you want represented and how it would be best portrayed.

~Julia Brewer

 

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