By Joanne DiVito, Administrator – Career Transition for Dancers
Former Broadway dancer, Choreographer and Director

Being a professional dancer often fulfills so many “loves;” the love of movement, music, freedom and form of body and spirit; the love of creativity, of perfection and beauty. Often the love of travel, meeting new people, and most important of them all, the love of identity and recognition. All of these are valid and important for the future of the dancer.

For most dancers who are busy with classes, performing and dreams of long creative careers, the reality of not doing what they love any longer is a remote one. That’s why “Career Transitions For Dancers” (CTFD) was developed.

What can replace dance when it’s your life, when it’s who you are and when you are over 40; or if you’re still dancing, why do you have to think about your future after dance?

CTFD helps give performers the answers to these and many other questions. Through its guidance, CTFD gives dancers a voice in their own destiny. Suzie Jary, Counselor for the CTFD National Outreach Project and former Broadway dancer says, “We help the dancer identify those things that come naturally, along with adding skills that can be marketable while you’re still performing or after your performing career. Broadening your scope allows you other options, creating a career mosaic.”

Eleanore Robinson, Ph.D. and Career Counselor adds, “More and more we’re seeing that careers cannot be sequential... they have to be more simultaneous...that you may have one career but you’re always developing skills and education with the purpose of finding something you care about that’s marketable.”

Dance requires dedication and often olympic abilities. However, when dancers deal with their personal transitions because of injuries, burnout, aging or lifestyle changes, often they are sent into a “tail spin”. CTFD can help the dancer realize early in their career that there are options available.

Ron Young, a 30-year veteran performer, multi-talented yet, because of age, found himself at a crossroads. His journey led him to CTFD and Suzie Jary. I went to seminars and groups, worked on eight drafts of a skills-based resume, and went on interviews ...we don’t realize how many transferable skills we really do have,” says Ron. It was finally Ron’s skills of organization, planning and ability to work with people that got him recognition in the business world. “I am so fortunate! I now, a year later, work as a Consultant for Merrill Lynch. I loved my career but I love the structure now. I love going to work each day and love having tasks. I love that they put money in my account every two weeks, whether I want them to or not. ”

Pat Cody, Broadway dancer, admits, “Transitioning was only a seed in the early ’80’s. But when my stamina started to decrease in the ‘90’s and I was tired of taking up most of my time seeking work, CTFD’s one-on-one counseling and scholarship fund helped me discover my interest in the Law. It took me all together, six years to make my transition.” Pat graduated recently from New York Law School, Summa Cum Laude and is now working for the International Corporate Law Firm of Sullivan and Cromwell in New York City.

Mary Cadorette, actress/dancer found that all her dreams came true quickly; Broadway, the co-starring role in “Three’s A Crowd,” recurring roles on TV Series and commercials...”and then there is a point when the work stops or changes and you have to re-examine your direction.” Says Mary: “Nobody tells young performers that the window of opportunity is about two inches wide.” Now Mary is a working actress and has developed her own business as a Marketing Consultant. “For me what the transition has been is transitioning into knowing that I don’t have to pick one or the other. I think being an artist is an outlook on life. It’s not necessarily a profession.

Michael Chambers, street dancer/ choreographer, started his career at 13, starring in “Breakin’” and Electric Boogaloo.” He choreographed Michael Jackson’s solos for the Victory Tour and dance animated the “McSkat Cat” in Paula Abdul’s, “Opposites Attract.” As he got older questions came up. “Where am I going to end up in 10 years?” and “How do I work in this business, support a family and have a life?” I saw very few people in my business who had it all.” Three months ago Michael came to CTFD to get answers. “It seemed to me like there were no alternatives. I had to run back to the business for shelter, because I thought ‘Nobody out there wants me. If I do get a job it will be as a driver or a pizza guy...I have no skills in anything else.’” Michael recalls Eleanore’s statement, “It’s a matter of planting seeds. It’s easier to be a beginner when you’re still an expert at something. Everybody has to develop skills so they can be assured that they have some control over their own career and destiny. The CTFD helps with these transitions.”

For information, call CTFD in L.A. at (213) 549-6660 or CareerLine in New York at (800) 581-2833 or check out our webpage www.careertransition.org.

Joanne DiVito, Dance Editor
Administrator – Career Transition for Dancers  
Former Broadway dancer, Choreographer and Director
What is a dancer?   In its simplest form, someone who moves their body to the rhythm of music, sounds or just a pulse inside them.  This obviously is a simplistic definition, but in dance, the body is an instrument that allows someone to “show” rhythm, “show” music, “show” style, “show” spirit.   It is an all-encompassing art form that requires an intelligence of the body, mind and spirit.