Re-Capturing the Joy of Dance

I had a breakthrough! In my last post I mentioned that dance no longer brings me the same joy it used to. Today, for one brief moment, I finally re-captured that joy.

My transition back to dance has been tough so far, and very humbling. I am supposed to be a professional performer, and I look like an amateur. I've felt that dreaded self-consciousness creep in at times, and I've definitely looked like a fool. And after nearly 20 years of training I've had to start at the beginning, almost as if all those years were just a figment of my imagination.

Today I attended a Theater Dance class (at the beginner level) for the first time in who knows how long. As a musical theater actor Theater Dance is like comfort food for my body- or it used to be. And even though the across-the-floors were rudimentary, they gave me an incredible opportunity.

We went across the floor to "You Can't Stop the Beat" from Hairspray. It is impossible to hold back when dancing to that song, isn't it? I'm realizing now that that sense of abandon is what I've been missing in my return to dance. The combination was incredibly simple, but it went perfectly with the sentiment of the music.

As I made my way through the combination I felt something take hold of me. All of that warmth and happiness that dance used to bring me came flooding back. I felt as if energy and light were shooting out of me in all directions like comets tearing through the sky. It was complete abandon at its best.

As I finished the combination and circled back to the line, I began to tear up. No one could have even known. It was a moment all for me, and I secretly reveled in it. I had finally re-captured, in one  instant, that joy that I've only ever felt through art. And when it passed, I was left with a reminder of why getting back to dance is so important to me. I intend to find that feeling again, and soon.

 

--Rachel F. Hirsch

Comments

[Emma K. Harr]

Hooray for you! Those are the beautiful moments that remind us why we do what we do--it's the evidence that our hearts and our souls are full of passion for admiring the poignant and gorgeous moments in life, and then creating art from within. You go, lady!

[Tara Burns]

Thank you, Rachel, for this beautiful article. I have struggled with getting back into dance because of the "fear of being a beginner" again...and I plan to jump in this week. I am really grateful for your words, which truly spoke to me today. Thank you for sharing ;)
xoxo-Tara

[Rachel F. Hirsch]

Thank you so much ladies for your beautiful and kind words. If in no other way, I feel that artists of every variety can find common ground in that inexplicable feeling of joy that our art brings. It's so nice to hear your thoughts on the subject. Thanks for reading and sharing!