Have dance steps, will travel: How to hit the stage with a smile when an out-of-town gig goes awry.
Travel gigs can be some of the most fun you have as a professional dancer. They’re a chance to explore an unfamiliar city and make your mark on a new stage. But even the most organized dancer can be thrown off their center by the unexpected hiccups that come with travel. Delayed flights, bad weather and even lost luggage can bring turbulence into an otherwise smooth commute.
Travel challenges are frustrating. But if you get past the frustration, there’s a chance to make memories beyond the stage and the dressing room. As the school year begins, competition season heats up and seasonal performances start, you may find yourself twirling on the road. Use these tips to keep your mindset successful, even if your trip requires a pivot or two.
Early is on time
As a chronically punctuality-challenged person, more time is better when you’re traveling for a gig. Getting to the airport early gives you time to decompress before a flight. It also prevents a mad dash to your gate, which can cause fatigue and, in extreme cases, lead to injuries (who among us hasn’t tripped over our own suitcase or run into something rushing to board?). The same principle applies whether you’re traveling via car, train or bus. A generous grace period slows your brain, leading to better, safer decisions. It also prevents unnecessary anxiety if your next stop is the stage — which can boost your performance.
Pack smart
Let’s face it, packing can be a pain. You suddenly need every matching set, pair of socks and shoe in your closet. The “whatever I forget I’ll buy” mentality isn’t always helpful. Efficient packing choices can ensure you have what you need, no matter what happens. My rule for carry-ons for travel performances goes a little something like this:
-
I pack one change of everything (clothes, undergarments and shoes).
-
Toiletries stay with you.
-
Costumes should stay with you if possible. If you have to check your costumes, keep a danceable outfit (and all corresponding shoes) that you can perform in if you get separated from your costumes
-
Wear your warm-up outfit to the airport so you’re ready to hit the ground running once you arrive at your destination
-
Pack or prepare to buy snacks and water -- no matter how long it takes you to get to your destination, you want to be properly fueled and energized when it’s time to hit a step.
This doesn’t cover everything, but it can reduce anxiety if you find yourself stuck, stranded or running behind.
Embrace small talk
To quote the groundbreaking 90s sitcom, A Different World, “blessed are those who ask the questions.” Chatting up staff, travel agents — even other travelers — generates valuable intel that can rescue your travel day.
As an example, a few months ago, while traveling to a gig in the Northeast, my director and I found ourselves on a severely delayed flight. As we tried to formulate a plan, a flight attendant asked where we were headed. We explained that we had a performance in a few hours but were afraid to deplane because we’d checked our costumes. The flight attendant suggested we change our flight because there was no guarantee of when we’d depart. She also said once we changed our flight, our costumes most likely would arrive with us. Armed with this new knowledge, we adjusted our plans, arrived at the venue with minutes to spare and had a successful performance.
If not for those few moments of small talk, we might have decided to wait things out and missed our show. So don’t let anxiety (however warranted) make you standoffish. Strike up a convo or make a pal in line. Even if your conversation doesn’t lead to a treasure trove of information, it might give you a laugh and briefly get your mind off of a stressful travel day.
Just keep smiling
It’s amazing how a well-timed joke (or two) can turn a rough day at the airport, train station or hotel around. Laughter and levity can reduce stress (which you don’t need an overabundance of en route to a show) and even increase your self-esteem, a.k.a. your onstage superpower! When you’re dealing with lost luggage or a missed connection, the frustration is real. But try not to stay there. Whether it’s an amusing conversation in line at the food court, seeing a sweet family moment from afar, or picturing yourself absolutely crushing it once you get to the stage, find a reason to pause, breathe, smile and focus on making the best out of a challenging situation.
No one imagines that their journey to the stage could get bumpy. But life happens and a little planning goes a long way to keeping you prepared and centered as you dance out of town. Even if everything goes well, as they say, “stay ready so you never have to get ready.” The more prepared you are, the less rattled you’ll be if your travel plans don’t pan out. No matter what, try to stay present. The destination may be your reason for traveling, but the journey contains the moments that become stories for your loved ones and motivate you to leave everything on the stage. After all, it took a lot to get there!
Written By: Jorie Goins
Still not sure which style fits you?
Get Help Finding Your Perfect Fit
