The Power of Being an Understudy

Being an understudy in a ballet is one of the best opportunities you can have. If there's an injury or sickness, you can step in and prove yourself.

I witnessed this firsthand this year at one of our shows.

There was one apprentice understudy for the women. A week or so before the show, a dancer had to go on leave suddenly, and the apprentice went into her spot. She knew the steps and was doing great. But then, after the first show, the lead in the ballet got injured. The apprentice had to step into the lead spot and perform a completely different role. Despite the challenge, she knew the steps!

The dancer on leave was able to return, and after barely any rehearsal, they both did amazing in the show. Our director came out on stage and gave them a shoutout in front of the whole audience. That apprentice was then promoted to the company shortly after.

This experience goes to show how important knowing your steps is, even when you're not in a role. You never know when an opportunity will arise! Being prepared and staying dedicated can open doors you never imagined.

What are your thoughts on the value of being an understudy? Have you ever had a similar experience? Share your stories on our Facebook Discussion Group