Natalie Desch; photo by Hope Davis

Over the past three years, 100 working artists have shared their stories and career paths on this blog. Many NYC-based artists shared advice for dancers wanting to move to the city. During the summer, we will repost some of this advice from these past artist profiles. Click on any name below to read further about an artist.

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From Doug Gillespie (Kate Weare Company, Sleep No More):

Keep your options and your mind open; your dream job could be the company you've never heard of. Have another viable skill. I was so thankful I had so much restaurant experience that I could work and take class without stressing out about paying rent. Identify yourself as a dancer; it's very easy to get caught up in the struggle to be a dancer in NY and forget that you are one. I got caught up in quantifying how I "knew" I was dancer, "when I get paid to dance," or "when dance jobs alone pay the bills." I just had to say "I am a dancer" and then prove it — by taking class, performing, seeing performances, immersing myself in the art form that I love so deeply. 

From Tamara Riewe (Trisha Brown):

Be brave and move! NYC is an incredibly vibrant, exciting place filled with a surprisingly small and loving dance community. The breadth of classes and performances available will inspire you, even if you just stay for a year. There is a ton of work available, especially in child care or body training work (pilates, etc.). Most of all – commit to staying at least a year, and never stop auditioning.

From Natalie Desch (Doug Varone, Limón):

It’s a wonderful place full of energy and uniqueness. But it’s also complex and not the place for everyone. You should never be afraid to try it – with a full heart! Keep your radar out for like-minded people though. Dancers are good folk and can be so helpful in any transition. My best advice would be to try to stay open to the big picture – the idea that there are good people and opportunities in lots of places – and remember that it’s okay to continually reevaluate what you think success means.  Life is a long and a wonderful mystery.

From Stephanie Sleeper (Choreographer; Costume Designer at Mark Morris):

NYC is expensive, and while it can be exciting and inspiring, it can also suck everything out of you.  Investing in the non-dance side of living here (i.e. housing, money, etc) is definitely worth it and makes the intensity of this city more manageable. The thing they say about staying here for a year before you decide to stay or go is true.  

I can’t speak to more commercial styles of dance, but for modern, if you just want to just dance, decide who you want to work for and stalk them. Take their classes and workshops, go to their shows and introduce yourself. Very, very, very rarely does anyone get hired from a large audition when they are a complete unknown to those who are making the decisions.  

If you are interested in anything that has money making potential, invest the time it takes to make it a marketable skill. There is a lot of possibility to carve out a unique niche if you can figure out how to sell your skill set.  

If you just want to experience this city and you don’t know if you want to stay long term, the more money you can save before you get here the better. There are plenty opportunities to dance, but most of them pay little or nothing because it’s incredibly difficult to get funding.  

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