Putting on a Good Show

Some human beings have an innate desire to perform.  Their dream is to wow audiences and provide entertainment, becoming a master of their chosen art.  The ways in which people seek recognition vary, some choose to sing, and they will practice and practice to perfect their voice, others act, becoming their character and convincing viewers.  Others like to dance, performing traditional pieces to perfection or creating and improvising new moves.  One thing is for sure, if the desire for performing arts is in you, it will stick around!

There is a lot of debate about how much of an individual’s personality is innate, and how much is due to upbringing.  It is highly likely that a combination of factors contribute to who a child becomes as they grow up, but most parents agree that encouraging healthy interests and a certain level of self confidence is very important.  Some learn to dance from a very early age, building up their confidence and working hard to achieve their goals.  As talent and hard work lead to results, confidence grows.  The majority of those who dance love performing for audiences, whether for friends or larger crowds, and are anxious to perform to the best of their ability.
For those performing traditional ballet, clothing which enables full movement whilst looking great is essential.  Certain ballet moves can be a challenge even for the best dancers, and making a piece look seamless and almost effortless is difficult at times.  But these challenges are what drive dancers to improve and excel.  In order for a performance to look its best, dance clothing also has to look good.  The tutu is probably one of the most well known ballet garments, along with the leotard and of course the slippers!  A lot of young budding dancers are particularly fond of the tutu; its distinctive appearance and vibrancy mean it really stands out, looking professional and elegant.

The popularity of the tutu is growing outside of ballet classes and performances and it is also worn by night clubbers, often in bright neon colours.  Traditionally there are several styles of tutu available, romantic, bell, pancake, platter and Balanchine.  This may sound confusing and irrelevant to those who are unfamiliar with the garment, but the style of tutu worn is often governed by the ballet being performed.  Dance schools usually specify which type students need to acquire.
Performing ballet to audiences large and small requires both skill and confidence.  Those who have studied ballet for many years speak of the great excitement but also understandable nervousness leading to certain performances.  Trying to remain calm and not get flustered is important, but a certain amount of adrenaline can help boost a performance.  Passion for dance shines through, and even if not all shows turn out perfectly, audiences will respect and admire the effort and obvious commitment to ballet.