Ever been in a ballet class learning new choreography, then the teacher says a move and nobody knows what it means? I definitely have. The fact that ballet is French is both beautiful and a burden, so I've decided to post a new word every week, along with a definition and possibly a picture. I'm hoping it will help all of us build our French vocabulary!
This week's Word Of The Week is:
Coda
I'm sure we've all heard of this one before. Usually in a set dance piece where a motif is repeated, at the end there is a 'coda' which is different and finishes the choreography.
It literally means 'Tail' and is a passage which brings a movement to conclusion - it is the ending of a dance.
Sunday 19 August 2012
Thursday 2 August 2012
What To Do When You Don't Get The Part
So here it is, that magical moment when you walk over to the cast list, answer the phone or open that beautiful just-arrived letter, knowing you did the best you could at that audition. You worked harder than you ever have before and now you're finally going to be rewarded.
Oh. You didn't get it. You're name isn't on the casting list; the caller is apologising, as is the letter. The exhilaration you felt just moments ago is now replaced with a gut-wrenching pain, and you really just don't know what to do.
Well here is what to do:
1) If it's a letter, read the whole thing. It's courteous to do so and the letter may even say why you didn't get the part; perhaps some things you could improve on next time. If not, it doesn't matter. Keep going. There may be other useful information on there. Their name for example, so you can hunt them down and- no, just kidding. Don't do that. But seriously, I once threw away a rejection letter after reading the first six words ('We are sorry to inform you'). It wasn't until much later that I found out there had been another sheet attached, including info on other ways I could get involved with the company; ways that would have actually got me recognised. But hey ho, you learn from your mistakes.
2) Don't cry. This will be hard, especially if you're a sensitive thing like me, but really don't do it. You'll regret it later. It sounds mean, but people may think you are being whiny or trying to attract attention, and even if its the complete opposite of that, you just need to stay calm, take deep breaths and close your eyes to compose yourself. If you really need to cry, excuse yourself so you can do it privately, and not in public. You need to get used to the feeling of not getting the part anyway, because it will happen a lot in your career.
3) Don't be a sore loser. "Kate only got it because she's the teacher's favourite, I dance better than her!" - None of this please! If you didn't get the part, just try to accept it and move on. Don't take out your disappointment on other people. You don't know exactly why Kate was chosen; maybe she prepared for months for the audition. And maybe not, maybe she is the teacher's favourite, but don't say it out loud! It's rude and it wont help you in the future either (no one wants to cast a sour dancer!). Just keep your mouth closed, or you will regret it later. Plus, the accusations you make will always get back to the teacher.
4) Don't make excuses. "I didn't get the part because I didn't warm up enough that day." Don't be naive. Ok, for some insane reason you didn't get the part, but don't make silly excuses. Especially not in public, because people will pity you and think you're being childish. Like I said before, accept the fact you didn't get the part and move on. There'll be plenty more opportunities in the future.
5) Accept your fate. The quicker you do it, the easier it will be to move on. Ok, you're allowed that shocked, angry, disappointed feeling for a couple of hours but then you have to let it go. Don't go running up to the teacher/shouting down the phone/writing back demanding to know why you didn't get the part, because a) you'll appear slightly crazy, and b) they might not even let you audition next time if you're going to behave like this afterwards. If you have to, 1-2 weeks later you could have a short chat with your teacher about what you can improve on for next time.
6) Thank them. Say thank you to the audition panel and teachers. A short conversation, note or phone call just to let them know you were grateful for the opportunity. A little politeness goes a long way.
7) Bounce back even better than before. Ok, you didn't get the part. So what? The audition was a valuable experience, you got so much out of it, and it's prepared you for future ones to come. Sure it was scary, but you survived, right? Meaning you'll be totally confident for the next one, and who knows, that one could be very successful indeed.
Oh. You didn't get it. You're name isn't on the casting list; the caller is apologising, as is the letter. The exhilaration you felt just moments ago is now replaced with a gut-wrenching pain, and you really just don't know what to do.
Well here is what to do:
1) If it's a letter, read the whole thing. It's courteous to do so and the letter may even say why you didn't get the part; perhaps some things you could improve on next time. If not, it doesn't matter. Keep going. There may be other useful information on there. Their name for example, so you can hunt them down and- no, just kidding. Don't do that. But seriously, I once threw away a rejection letter after reading the first six words ('We are sorry to inform you'). It wasn't until much later that I found out there had been another sheet attached, including info on other ways I could get involved with the company; ways that would have actually got me recognised. But hey ho, you learn from your mistakes.
2) Don't cry. This will be hard, especially if you're a sensitive thing like me, but really don't do it. You'll regret it later. It sounds mean, but people may think you are being whiny or trying to attract attention, and even if its the complete opposite of that, you just need to stay calm, take deep breaths and close your eyes to compose yourself. If you really need to cry, excuse yourself so you can do it privately, and not in public. You need to get used to the feeling of not getting the part anyway, because it will happen a lot in your career.
3) Don't be a sore loser. "Kate only got it because she's the teacher's favourite, I dance better than her!" - None of this please! If you didn't get the part, just try to accept it and move on. Don't take out your disappointment on other people. You don't know exactly why Kate was chosen; maybe she prepared for months for the audition. And maybe not, maybe she is the teacher's favourite, but don't say it out loud! It's rude and it wont help you in the future either (no one wants to cast a sour dancer!). Just keep your mouth closed, or you will regret it later. Plus, the accusations you make will always get back to the teacher.
4) Don't make excuses. "I didn't get the part because I didn't warm up enough that day." Don't be naive. Ok, for some insane reason you didn't get the part, but don't make silly excuses. Especially not in public, because people will pity you and think you're being childish. Like I said before, accept the fact you didn't get the part and move on. There'll be plenty more opportunities in the future.
5) Accept your fate. The quicker you do it, the easier it will be to move on. Ok, you're allowed that shocked, angry, disappointed feeling for a couple of hours but then you have to let it go. Don't go running up to the teacher/shouting down the phone/writing back demanding to know why you didn't get the part, because a) you'll appear slightly crazy, and b) they might not even let you audition next time if you're going to behave like this afterwards. If you have to, 1-2 weeks later you could have a short chat with your teacher about what you can improve on for next time.
6) Thank them. Say thank you to the audition panel and teachers. A short conversation, note or phone call just to let them know you were grateful for the opportunity. A little politeness goes a long way.
7) Bounce back even better than before. Ok, you didn't get the part. So what? The audition was a valuable experience, you got so much out of it, and it's prepared you for future ones to come. Sure it was scary, but you survived, right? Meaning you'll be totally confident for the next one, and who knows, that one could be very successful indeed.
30 Day Ballet Challenge
A few days ago I found this image on instagram, and thought it was a brilliant idea. There is a 30-day Ballet Challenge happening where everyday a new picture must be posted containing what it says on the list. I think as many people as possible should try this out, as what a great way to boost dance within the media, and you can have fun with it as well.
Best of luck! I'll be posting my own pictures too!
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