The team around the performer.

The Team Around The Performer

- Why what you don’t see is just as important as what you do.

By Maddie Smith (Ballet Dancer and Personal Trainer)

@madeleinejsmith_

It is easy to feel like how well you perform is entirely on you but whether you realise it already or not, it is often(in my experience) also a reflection of who you’ve got behind the scenes, both in a wider and very literal sense!You choose who is on your team and that means you choose whose input actually matters. It can very much feel like a solo mission at times but independent success is often very much a group effort, where all the offstage moments make the onstage one’s worth it.

What you see in a performance is far from the whole picture; it’s often possible because of countless hours of training / rehearsal, unseen conversations, quiet encouragement, late night pep talks, last minute lifts and just the general support of those around you. It is very easy to underestimate how much stability and perspective others can bring, until you’ve experienced how off- balance things can feel in their absence, or for that matter, in the presence of the wrong people.

Reps, Reality Checks and Really Good Advice

The way you are able to recover slightly quicker, walk into a room a little taller and stay focused when under pressure is all thanks to those who have known when to push, support and pace. Unfortunately, the benefits don’t always come quickly (believe me!) but I can for sure advise that it is well worth the effort in the long run. Progress takes time and whilst you might not always want to hear what others have to say, there is such a quiet power in having the right people at your side who you can trust and outsource to where necessary. You’re not supposed to have all the answers and that’s exactly why it is so essential to have others around who know their stuff.

From injury recovery and physical rehabilitation to mental health support and performance coaching, it is others expertise that helps to fill in the gaps. By no means does entering into the supplemental side replace your artistic training or focus, it supports and enhances it. The additional training sessions might feel tedious at times but they are exactly where the necessary physical foundations are built, a key factor in successfully sustaining what you do. In order to optimise your physical performance you have to hone both artistic and athletic qualities and in very short terms, technique class alone does not tick both of these boxes.

Integrating ‘additional’ training into an already hectic schedule can be tricky. But let’s take a pause, it’s perhaps trickier than it needs to be because you’re thinking of it as extra not fundamental. It is not a case of doing hours of extra work on top of what your already doing, instead integrating underlying fitness to support how you are training. Placing importance on both artistic and athletic development and combining this with understanding around why you train the way you do, is ultimately what will help you to elevate your capability to perform. Utilising professional expertise enables you to optimise how you perform and the right guidance at the right time can change everything so don’t under estimate the power of a well-rounded support system.

Debriefs, Coffee Companions and Life’s Little Luxuries

It might have been a less than perfect class. It might have been another rejection email – or lack thereof! Or, it might have been another slight spiral provoked by filming yet another show reel; however most of the time all that’s needed is an altered perspective. Amongst the chaos and inevitable moments where you are questioning your life decisions, finding humour in the unpredictability is essential. It’s the little rituals, shared chaos and people who see it all – not just the polished, put together version. The beauty is in the pre-show huddles (featuring the tech guy flaunting his self-sourced headpiece), the quick change chaos with the self-elected gem who says ‘I got you’ as she’s standing in the dark with your arm puffs and hairpins. Clocking your opposite as you’re both tearing through the wings before executing the most elegant run on you’ve ever seen in your life(and giving each other a knowing wink in the process), and of course; the top tier dressing room DJ’s, yappers and premium hug providers who become staple members of your crew.

My point being, performing can be intense in numerous ways. Yes, chances are you love what you do and you enjoy investing a lot, but it can also take a lot, and it is therefore important to enjoy the smaller moments.  Grab a cup of coffee, buy that Zara perfume and take that holiday you’re definitely long overdue. Ultimately it’s the job you chose to facilitate your life so don’t lose track of its purpose.

My personal recommendation? Clock it, chat about it and take a breather; chances are you’ll stumble across a meme that sums things up better than you ever could (see exhibit A) and you’ll remember you are far from alonein the chaos. Also, I’m 99% sure that latest take of your show reel is just fine.

Exhibit A

Final thoughts

The input, presence and reliability of others can shape how you show up when it matters most. From close friends and family to trusted professionals, the value they bring isn’t always obvious – but it is lasting and will have an impact. Others have the potential to help you bridge the gap from where you are and where you want, or need, to be. At its core this isn’t just about performance – it is about building something that is sustainable. So, when things start to get hectic or the nerves begin kicking in remember all those people who are already on your side in varying capacities, it’s much more enjoyable with a solid support crew who know when to bring in the Tangfastics.

Oh, and lastly, something I’ve been told many a time that feels pretty relevant #nothinggoodcomeseasy

Thank you for reading!

@poise.dance

@Madeleinejsmith_

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