“A dancer in my company had a minor injury and decided in her spare time to teach me her role in our upcoming production. I had been taught from a very early age to learn everything and jumped at the chance. However, not only was I shamed for learning this role, I was told I “overstepped” and was “attempting to undermine the ranking of the company”. I was told that it was rude and conceited of me to even think that I would be considered as an understudy for the part.
The intention behind me learning the role was to ease the process of teaching for the injured dancer because she knew she was going to have to teach other company members and was unable to show anything full out. I have never felt so shamed for trying to help support my fellow dancers and the company I was dancing with. Dancers should never be shamed for taking initiative.”
-Anonymous
