Shaffer - So you want to be a dancer: practical advice and true stories from a working professional

So You Want to Be a Dancer

So You Want to Be a Dancer

Practical Advice and True Stories from a Working Professional

Matthew Shaffer

TAYLOR TRADE PUBLISHING

Lanham Boulder New York London

Published by Taylor Trade Publishing

An imprint of The Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group, Inc.

4501 Forbes Boulevard, Suite 200, Lanham, Maryland 20706

www.rowman.com

Unit A, Whitacre Mews, 26-34 Stannary Street, London SE11 4AB

Distributed by NATIONAL BOOK NETWORK

Copyright 2015 by Matthew Shaffer

Images of Matthew Shaffer by Russell Baer.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote passages in a review.

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Information Available

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Available

ISBN 978-1-63076-026-7 (cloth : alk. paper) ISBN 978-1-63076-027-4 (electronic)

The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of American National Standard for Information SciencesPermanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials, ANSI/NISO Z39.48-1992.

Printed in the United States of America

M y journey as a dancer has manifested into a wonderful career thanks to the unending love and support of my family and friends who continue to inspire me to do my best, trust my instincts, and follow my heart.

I dedicate this book to Grandma and Grandpa Shaffer, who reminded me to never give up; to Grandma and Grandpa Smith, for never missing a performance; to my mom, who remains my number one fan; to my dad, who drove me forty-five miles every day to attend a performing-arts high school; to my sister, who taught me to be a fighter; and to Jeff Payton, who challenges me to be a better person and artist every single day.

Special Thanks

I offer my deepest gratitude and special thanks to each of these experts for collaborating with me to encourage you:

Zetta Alderman, Lacy Baxter, Darlene Bejnar, Rita Maye Bland, Debby Boone, Ellen Buckley, Craig Burns, Pam Chancey, Steve Chetelat, Kacy Combs, Joseph Corella, Sandra Coyte, Grover Dale, Marguerite Derricks, John Dietrich, Tyce Diorio, Brian Dreyfuss, Melissa Fagan, Alex Monti Fox, Aisha Francis, Troy Garza, Gus Giordano, Nan Giordano, Devert Hickman, Bernadette Hill, Lorie Faith Holtey, Gigi Hunter, Jim Keith, Beckie King, Brooke Kivowitz, Lisa Lindholm, Terry Lindholm, Richard Lissemore, Nicholas Pere MacLeod, Anthony Marciona, Shannon Mather, Michael McBride, Melissa McComas, Julie McDonald, Maggie Miguel, Mike Canale Photography, Autumn Miller, Krista Miller, Megan Mullally, Torri Oats, Nancy OMeara, Ralph Opacic, Kristy Pace, Noelle Pate Packett, Chris Paltin, Gary Pate, Travis Payne, Christine Paynton, Jeff Payton, Bevin Allen Pike, Rick Rinehart, Samuel Lee Roberts, Joan Rosenfels, Melissa Sandvig, Karie Simpson, Tracie Stanfield, Rick Sullivant, Nadine Tayir-Lewis, Stacey Tookey, Yvette Tucker, Grace Wakefield, Stacy Walker, Susan Quinn Williams, Lakey Wolff, and Michelle Zeitlin, and a very special thanks to Julia Cameron and The Artists Way for encouraging me to write!

Overture

I f you happen to be the proud parent of a child who dances, the question-filled parent of a child who wants to become a dancer, or a dancer ready to embark on a professional career, congratulations on the purchase of this book. The stories I share will provide a backstage tour of the life of a dancer. From my first class I knew what I wanted to do with my future. As much as I was grateful to my loving and supportive parents, sometimes as a performer you have to take matters into your own hands.

I was only thirteen years old. In addition to the insults and name-calling, middle school had brought about a revelation and a serious, life-changing moment. When most young boys were playing He-Man, swapping baseball cards, and perfecting their BMX wheelies, by the power of Grayskull I was going to conquer the entertainment business. I swapped out my Boy Scout uniform and Swiss Army knife for jazz shoes and a glossy headshot.

Inspired by Fame and the gossip around the water fountain among the older teenage dancers at an audition for the sixty-fourth Academy Awards with legendary choreographer Debbie Allen (who really is going to live forever)I decided that I needed to attend the Orange County High School of the Arts. (Every parent reading this surely knows the difference between need and need .) A school dedicated to the training and development of dance, theater, and the art of accepting your creative individuality? Yes, please!

Unbeknownst to my parents, I decided to do some #Pre-Internet research. I secured an application from my vice principal and requested glowing recommendations from my dance and drama teachers. I filled out this application in my own handwriting and waited for a response.

My parents discovered that I had enrolled myself at OCHSA without telling them when they received an appointment for my entrance audition addressed directly to them. Needless to say, they werent pleased that I had reached out without their permission, but they recognized my determination and resourcefulness and allowed me to audition anyway. To my delight, I was accepted into the Commercial Dance Department. Somehow I convinced my dad to commit to driving me to and from school every day! Trust me, that hour-long car ride was invaluable bonding time. My journey at OCHSA provided the foundation for the rest of my career.

Say cheese ! My first headshot in LA

As you probably realize, there isnt one singular way to make it in this industry. Yet convincing a headstrong artist (regardless of age) to do something other than follow their passion is like convincing a movie critic that Madonna can act. People who want to succeed always find a way! Hopefully this book offers some practical wisdom and sparks a laugh or two along the way.

P.S. I L-O-V-E #Madonna.

Important Note

I am an expert at absolutely everything. Just ask me. However, my parents, through their recently hired lawyer, insist I remind you that I am not. The events I write of and advice I share in this book are based on my career in the entertainment industry. Though some events and names have been reinterpreted (as artists often do), the stories are real. I offer my hard-earned advice as inspiration but make no guarantees about your future. Im still on a path to discovering mine!

Chapter

Curtain Up!

A round the time that I was taking my first steps as a toddler, I can remember a moment when I was sitting in front of a gigantic, self-standing box made out of dark brown wood with giant plastic dials. Just on the other side of the glass, vibrant people mesmerized me as they sang and danced. I sat in front of the television set all day trying to figure out how to get in that box and be a part of the magic I was watching.