You have got your first job as a professional dancer, in a long-running theatrical production. Whilst this is not always the preferred option with performers – due to the monotony of the day-to-day repetition of movement and life itself – working in a theatre on a production which has its feet under the table can be very rewarding.
However, if you are worried you may not last in your first job in a long-running production, there are ways to survive! It is important to get into your own routine quickly, one which enables you to get enough sleep and eat regular meals, and also conserve energy for the show. Most of the time you won’t be required at work until late afternoon, so ensure you do not become complacent and jeopardise your discipline and stamina required for working on a long run. In addition, it is also helpful to have a life away from the theatre, so you are not living and breathing the profession constantly. Life in a long run can get very claustrophobic, both physically and mentally, seeing the same faces over again and facing and company politics.
Make time for yourself whilst you are working on a long run. It is easy to feel like you have no influence on the production if you have a smaller role or are understudying. Take some time aside to work on something you are passionate about, be it part of the industry or not, such as writing or even forging alternative careers. Even if doing something for yourself means taking classes, they will help keep you feeling fresh, through something such as yoga, Pilates or even an alternative dance technique. It will help with your health, wellbeing and sanity!
Above all, listen to others. Don’t go into autopilot mode and and just go through the motions, or even try to manufacture spontaneity. The director is there to help and advise you, and many theatre notes are often for the long-running performers.