Strong and Vital No 3

Building the Future There are some incredible dancers who are still performing at 60 and beyond. Proof that culturally determined timelines and stereotypes are arbitrary. In particular, dancers in their 40s who have passed the expected ‘transition point’ in their last decade can serve as a bridge between what is predic ted and what is really possible. «Right now, in my forties, I am at the height of my powers.» Sonia Rodriguez (Canada) When the ballet career really comes to an end, the most difficult matter is to rethink your own identity, because bal let was your everything and suddenly it disappears from your life, as many professional athletes can also testify. Depression lurks when there is a void from one day to the next. There is a lot of mourning. In comparison, contem porary dance is freer and less demanding and can be a realistic alternative for a certain period of time. «It’s difficult to find the fine line between challenging my body and avoiding excessive demands.» Wendy Perron (USA) What Does it Mean to Be a Senior in a Youth-Orientated World? «I am now an older dancer. The maths is stark. 30 years into my profession, I am less than two decades from 70. Surprisingly, it›s easier - not harder - to dance in this older body. I am fortunate it works well. Yes, there is pain, but there always was pain. I have to be judicious with my energy, can no longer throw myself around carelessly as I did in my 20s. I pay closer attention to the specifics of what I am doing. I know better how my body works, am kinder to its idiosyncrasies. Inhibitions evaporate. Dancing is more about «how» and less about «wow».› There is plea sure. I am just hitting my stride. The body ’ s best-before date has been extended - and dance extends with it.» Sara Porter, dancer and choreographer (Canada). Danse Transition, Reshaping the Future Is a Career Change Unavoidable? Whether reorientation is really required, one can cite the example of the non-profit organisation Danse Transition based in Lausanne, Switzerland. Its members can help, al though they do not seem to focus on a change of attitude in this environment, but rather stick to the idea of leaving the stage early, around mid-30s, and only in exceptional cases over the age of 45.

Among other things, the association offers individual coaching and organises meetings for dancers who are in transition to a new career. In fact it is important to know that there is life after that experience. Danse Transition helps to successfully overcome the hurdle of professional reorientation. Famous Trailblazers London’s Royal Academy of Dance remembers that the Bri tish ballerina Margot Fonteyn (1919-1991) retired from the scene on her 60th birthday in 1979, almost 45 years after her debut. She was regarded as the greatest ballerina of all time, whose impeccable technique and compelling stage presence were as legendary as her longevity and work ethic. Age never fazed her, on the contrary, the Brit helped to break the age barrier - at least in her case. The Russian-Latvian Mikhail Baryshnikov (1948) was a real superstar. But when ballet began to take its toll on his body, he switched to modern dance to save his career. At the age of 65, he was still dancing, although he adapted his repertoire - from an excellent jumper he became a dramatic performer. The Italian Carla Fracci (1936-2021) is also considered one of the greatest ballerinas of the 20th century. She danced for the last time at La Scala in Milan at the age of 64. «Ballet is a mysterious profession, representing an unpredictable world.» Carla Fracci (Italy) Rebellion against a discriminatory system When the National Ballet of Canada tried to justify its firing of principal Kimberly Glasco for non-artistic reasons in the late 1990s, it claimed she was too old at 38 and past her best-before date. The ballerina eventually sued for wrongful dismissal, which was reportedly settled out of court for 1.6 million dollars. The courts gave her the right to return to the National Ballet after establishing that age had not withered her but, on the contrary, had made her stronger. A resounding precedent. «From what I am noticing internationally, we are in the midst of a new wave of appreciation for older dancers. At the moment several superstars of dance are crashing the age barrier.» Wendy Perron (USA) The struggle of older dancers 40+ to stay in their profession longer reflects a legitimate desire to maintain or reclaim their dignity in a society that is ageing along with them.

STRONG and VITAL No. 3 - 2024

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