Portfolio careers for dancers

An article from New York promotes the concept that dancers could do well to consider following a portfolio career. Sondra Forsyth describes that in 2000 when she was the New York Dance Scene columnist on DanceArt.com, she wrapped up a post about day jobs and side jobs with this advice: “Think of yourself as a successful entrepreneur instead of as a dancer who’s patching together a living.” Recently she came across Charles Handy’s term “Portfolio Career” and realized that was what she was advocating. ” If you treat each of your pursuits as a potential calling instead of just as a way of putting money in your pocket, they’ll all fuel each other. You’ll be better at everything you do and you won’t be prone to burn-out. Even the classic scenario of waiting table while you’re taking class and going to auditions can be more than a stop-gap situation. A case in point is ballerina Jill Schulster ( in the picture above) who has an active freelance performing career — often with my company, Ballet Ambassadors — and who has parlayed her years of waitressing into the co-ownership of a thriving New York City restaurant called JoDoe. (While you’re in NYC, don’t miss a chance to have a meal there. And tell them Sondra sent you!)”

Tagged as: dancing