Being a Professional Means Making a Promise… and Keeping It.

The title says it all.
But let’s unpack it.

When you are booked as a performer, you are making a series of promises to a client. First and foremost: that you will deliver the agreed-upon performance—and that you will do it well. Ideally, that level of delivery is not occasional. It is consistent. And consistency requires discipline.

Consistency and discipline are everything.

A solo performer is a business. Think about how you read reviews: if they’re inconsistent and all over the place, you hesitate. No one wants to spend money on something that is hit-or-miss. The same applies here. Whether you are freelancing or working full-time under a company, you are in the business of show, and reliability is part of the product.

Don’t be a hit-or-miss performer.

Showing up consistently is not just about the client. It is about the longevity of your career, your reputation, and your physical and mental health.

That decision is made daily. It starts in the morning—when you decide how you’re going to approach the day, what standards you’re going to hold, and whether you are going to meet them.

One of the most important ways to uphold that standard is simple, and often neglected: stay in class.

This is especially difficult for dancers just out of school, balancing rent, survival jobs, constant rejection, and the quiet, black hole of a question: why did I choose this? But that is precisely when it matters most.

If you’re a young dancer reading this—stay in class. Do your ballet barre in your kitchen if you have to, using the sink as the barre. The audition circuit is brutal, but there will be no chance to “boot camp” yourself if a big opportunity arrives. Maintain your body and technique. Consistently.

Care about your rehearsal time. Respect it.

Even when the director—or another company member—is on your very last nerve. Gather yourself before you begin. Remind yourself why you are there. Work with intention, if for no other reason than you have your health and respect your own artistic integrity.

At the beginning of my career, I found myself in exactly that position: new city, new scene, and a very niche industry to navigate. Finding your footing can be an uphill struggle. The directors I worked for at the time were difficult personalities. But the work itself had value, and I was gaining experience. Over time, I learned to let certain things roll off my back—not out of passivity, but out of clarity. I knew what I was there to gain: experience, resume credits, footage, and growth. It’s important, in those moments, not to lose sight of the larger picture.

And equally important to know when that larger picture has run its course.

When an environment begins to affect your ability to work—or your personal safety—it is time to leave. Find a way to do so as gracefully as possible.

Which leads to something essential: protect yourself.

This applies in more ways than one.

Maintaining consistency in your training and rehearsal habits protects your physical body—especially in an industry where you may be asked to perform under unpredictable conditions. (Sometimes in a 70-pound costume. But that’s a story for another time.)

Consistency also protects your reputation. Again, this is a business. Word of mouth has a lot of power. If you are known for being prepared, steady, and professional, you become someone people trust to hire. That discernment—your ability to move deliberately and without unnecessary reaction—also protects you from environments where you may be taken advantage of. Because yes, that exists. More than it should in this industry.

There is another form of protection that is less discussed: protecting your mind.

In this industry, there are moments of extreme highs—large audiences, high energy, adrenaline at its peak. It is exhilarating, and I hope every performer experiences it. But there is also the aftermath. What I love referring to as “glitter crash.” Without consistency in your training, your nutrition, and your routines, that crash hits harder. Maintaining structure—especially during high-intensity periods—helps regulate both body and mind.

Pace yourself. Incorporate slower movement when needed. Stretch classes or an easy yin yoga class will go a long way to regulating your body and mind. These are not indulgences—they are part of sustaining a career.

Because ultimately, all of this comes back to one thing:

Being a professional. Keeping your promises.

To your clients.
To your collaborators.
And to yourself.

From the plume 🦢🪶