R.E.S.P.E.C.T.
One of the most important things that dance teachers can teach their students is respect.
This is not the usual respectful and polite attitude for fellow dancers, teachers and choreographers, but also--and most importantly--for the technical crew. Technical work includes costumes, makeup, lights, sound, sets and FOH (front of house-tickets, publicity and more).
Without these elements, dancers will find themselves outside the theatre with no place to perform, no sound and no costumes. They will become better performers for realizing this.
Even in recital schools, where costumes come packed in plastic bags, students can still learn to appreciate other parts of the production they are in. Volunteers, ushers, stage managers, moms who help herd little ones on and off, and hair and makeup nannies should be appreciated for their invaluable contribution to every show. Get rid of those diva attitudes, teachers, as soon as you can. I often told the company dancers in my studio that there is always someone better than they are, and if that person is also better behaved and easier to work with, guess who gets the job.
Dancers tend to be rather self-focused, to put it politely. It is always good to remind them that they are but one part of the production--the most visible one, yes, but only a part of whole. No magic will happen onstage, no scenery will fly offstage, no snow will fall and no trees will grow without that technical crew. Nor will any Clara have a shoe to toss, a party gown to wear or a Nutcracker that will break.
At Texas Christian University, all the dance majors were required to serve 42 semester hours working technical theatre. There is no greater way to impress on dancers the equally exacting work that the technical crew does than to have them do it, too. UCLA also required its dance majors to learn a technical skill, such as stage lighting. Have them learn that lighting is more than turning a switch on and off, and that creating costuming that dancers can move in does involve talent.
At the New York City Ballet costume shop, a small sign near Director of Costumes Holly Hynes' desk reads, "It is your job to fit our style."
A good way to introduce your performers to the backstage and behind the scenes world of theatre is to invite members of your crew to speak to the dancers. Steve Holliday, from The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia would speak to the entire Nutcracker cast before they were allowed onstage or backstage, reminding them of the rules and why the rules were there. He would tell them that there was a lot going on that they couldn't see, and point out fly space, snow scene slings and gel changers to let the dancers see that their dance was one activity in a number of other activities that produced this one performance. Another way to help increase awareness of and respect for the technical crew is to have your company serve on a crew. I included this requirement in my student company contracts. Each semester, even the youngest would help by making sure the dressing room was clean after the performance, or that costumes were hung properly.
Simple suggestions include:
Having the students wear street clothes to and from the theatre, carrying their costumes instead of wearing them like Halloween characters. Even the smallest dancers will react differently onstage if they use that costume for the performance only. It not only looks more professional, but is safer for the costume and the dancer.
Having older students help younger ones hang up costumes, and pick up the dressing room after the show. My dancers were trained to leave every room, school classroom or traditional dressing room, cleaner than when they entered.
Having your technical crew dress in a uniform manner. This is automatically done in professional theatres, with all black preferred to avoid bouncing light and being visible backstage.
Having a tour of the theatre, even if it is a cafetorium, to let the dancers know what will happen and who will make it happen.
•Having a firm, no-nonsense approach to your performance:
•No dancers running around in costume and makeup other than backstage.
•No dancers allowed onstage without permission unless for a warm-up.
•No dancers excused from company warm-up.
•Teaching your dancers a basic company make-up (no purple eyeshadow or face glitter!).
•No food or drink in dressing rooms.
These rules are not meant to be broken. They will allow a clean, smooth performance, unmarred by missing dancers who have left their dressing room, or spilled catsup on their costume. Your students and your show will be better off, and your technical crew will work even harder because of your respect and appreciation for their hard work.