Being a dancer is a unique kind of normal. While not everyone is as dedicated to glitter, music, and performance as you, these dance moments from the crazy schedule to the quick change are far from a surprise.
Those Sore Muscles
Sometimes people don’t understand that dancers use their entire body when they dance. A normal person might think that only their legs and feet should hurt, but all dancers know that is not true. From pretty fingers to acro moves, every piece of you is engaged in the dance and the workout that comes with it.
Finding glitter EVERYWHERE
All competition dancers relate to this one! When you compete or just go on stage, glitter hairspray and/or glitter eyeshadow are a costume staple. But if you know a thing or two about glitter, then you know that you will find it everywhere for days, in the shower, on your clothes, in your bag, and pretty much everywhere else.
That Post-Competition Look
The makeup, hair, and outfits for competitions are no joke. They’re usually very extra compared to your everyday look which can make it intimidating to go out in public among non-dancers. Something as simple as going out for dinner after a competition can be nerve-racking!
“I can’t. I have dance”
A dance phrase so classic people put it on t-shirts, we all know that building a schedule around dance commitments can be tricky! Hangouts after school? Sorry, I have dance. Going to the mall on the weekend? Sorry, I have a convention. Dance is a big time commitment that can require some sacrifices, but it’s so rewarding to see all of that time pay off.
All Things Hair
Can we count hair as technique? With the headaches from having your hair pulled back tight in a slicked-back ponytail or bun, the smell of hairspray that always brings you back to competition season, and the number of bobby pins and hair ties that you go through and are constantly searching for in your backpack, staying ready from head to toe is a lot more than a quick updo!
The Secret Language of Dancers
You can’t really name them or translate them (except into dance moves!), but the sounds that dance teachers and choreographers use when breaking down a dance or running through a routine are the bridge between thoughts and movement for a lot of dancers. Somehow, these made-up sounds and words just click when it’s time to dance!
The World is Your Dance Floor
Dance is just such a big part of your life that you do it everywhere. The grocery store, the mall, the movie theater, anywhere at all really, you’ll find yourself doing random pirouettes, standing in fifth position, and choreographing a routine to whatever is playing over the radio. The world really is your dance floor.
You can Dance for Hours
Dance practice could be five hours long and you would be fine, but when it comes to something like running, well, that’s a different story. When it comes to moving and working out at dance, your energy and stamina are limitless, but outside of dance that exercise just doesn’t feel the same.
The Quick Change
Dance requires lots of last-minute and quick costume changes. Being able to change your entire outfit and redo your hair in 10 minutes isn’t out of the ordinary. The best part? You never know when that quick change might come in handy.
Choreographing Dances in Your Head
When you hear a new song, it’s hard not to start automatically choreographing a new solo in your head. When you get up and start actually dancing, you know the music has officially taken over. Time to pull it all together!
