Exploring further developing a line of Professional Enquiry.

In relation to my previous bog, I have come up with the question that is most fitting with regards to my personal professional practise. As I have stated in a previous bog,

‘….My work has involved working as a performing Dancer on a Cruise liner (Silversea, a 6 star smaller, luxury line) through the agency Jean Ann Ryan Productions. For meAs I start to work through and explore important questions relating to our professional practice, it strikes me there are perhaps two broad types of questions.

Firstly, what type of inquiry will improve my performance to create, make, interpret or teach my art. This is for me a ‘disciplinary’ or ‘subject’ question. It is fundamentally about how I operate as not just a dancer but that bit extra as Dance Captain and Company Manager. An inquiry located here might give weight to disciplinary knowledge (the ways or conventions or literature that exists and created by exemplary practitioners or researchers). Or, like me, it might be practical in nature (the ways we do things and these extra higher-level skills that were required in my specific Professional Practise). My inquiry involves understanding something more effectively which in turn lead to a change or improvement in my experience and overall practice.

It is that bit of ‘extra knowledge’ required in a broad array of subject areas required to learn and adopt for the Dance Captain and Company Manager role that is really the key point to my personal practise. I have decided simply of developing a series of sub section under the question,

‘What Extra Skills are Required to successfully practise in the Dance Captain/Company Role’?

Although at first glance this may perhaps appear a very ‘bog standard’ question which lacks depth, but really looking into everything and reflecting on my various duties on a day to basis really covers a lot of possibly initially hidden forums. Please read on to see the approach I have taken, I am sure some of you have been or experienced a similar work practise.

1- Extra Knowledge on all choreography
- sound knowledge of every cast members tracking and steps, swell as my own, sense of providing trust within the group
- a possibly certain creative to flair to create new choreo, both in the case of re-blocks or need to change, but also in terms of wanted change for reasons of keeping shows fresh and up to date, preventing boredom to both dancers and audience.

2 - Understanding of various musical elements.
-understanding of musical timing, rhythms (able to communicate with band members also who work rhythmically very differently, need to read basic musical scores.
- understanding and definite clarity of knowledge of all entrances and exits for everyone’s, inevitably providing ability to swap and adjust the show in the case of re-blocks etc.

3 - Knowledge of basic Health, Nutrition, Mental and Social Well being
-all essential aspects of a well rounded, high performance cast.
- ensuring team are all at their best health for ultimately peak performances, maintaining these performances also.
- sense of awareness of any one member struggling, offering free and willing guidance, knowledge to give this guidance on whatever it may be
- being around at mealtimes to help, ensure correct nutrition for optimum performance. (must not be confused with ‘watching’ the cast’, merely being approachable should they choose to ask for my guidance.
- in the event of injury, knowledge of injury prevention, injury itself and of course recovery. Covers many areas, extending to possibly nutrition guidance, basic physiotherapy, possibly help with liaison with ships doctors, or even liaison with appointments made on land if necessary.
- general knowledge of promotion of sound health., a happy cast in every sense of the word is essential!

4 - Appreciation of differences in Social - Economic Backgrounds (combining with acquiring background knowledge of the countries we actually visit in three ways)
- before departure, offering info on required jabs, required action to getting visa’s/work permits, travel details, recommendations on effective travel to hotel upon arrival, currency info etc, depending on individuals nationality
- knowledge of the physical countries themselves, need to know when and where exactly I will have access to internet for example, access to resources (costumes replacement/refurbishment, any props shows etc, ability to lease with company to send essential reports, queries, info on any updates in the cast etc.) Related to this specific knowledge of particular docking ports in the event of needing parcels sent, both for cast members personal use (showing appreciation of the individuals needs, multi national cast brings some interesting and for agency/company related issues.
-appreciation/required learning of basic language skills (relating to ensuring the clearest communication), covering meaning to get the best performance to the extent of showing appreciation for different cultures, (personal approach to making them feel comfortable, introducing them to how we work as Brits, what is required/appropriate to wear to rehearsals, how to conduct yourselves effectively, general work ethic (for example a Ukrainian rehearsal schedule will be ran very differently to British one due to varying factors), setting clear and concise rehearsal times and structures. Moreover, introducing all cast members to how each nation works - all ultimately creating comfortable atmosphere were everyone’s traditions and needs are incorporated with and not always met exactly but a happy medium created) This leading again to most effective rehearsals with most beneficial results ultimately resulting in peak performance from all.

5 - Knowledge of Safety In The Workplace
This covers knowledge of use of technical equipment in rehearsal space. The stage we use has moving floors for example, training was required to be able to do this. Everyone then needs to be a wear of how it works and where emergency stop buttons are situated etc. Simple factors such as use of plugs for CD players, need to ensure safe practising as so many dancers choose to rehearse on their own whenever the space is free. Involves working closely with Stage Manager and his team, need to keep each other in the know all the time. Also, with being on a ship, safe practise involves being a wear of objects that may become hazardous doe to the ships movement. Specifically, in the fitness studio which we use to practise in, there is a bar attached to the wall however it is not always totally secure. When a lot of people are using it in bad weather, I often worry it may become loose. Dancers and singers have to be made a wear of the correct maintenance of their footwear too, it is essential to have rubbered shows for example. I simply will not allow a performer on stage unless they meet the requirements. Injury prevention is the main reason for all knowledge of safety in the workplace.

I’m sure the list could go on and on, when I really think in depth there are so many factors affecting my inquiry. I intend to monitor and bog how all these factors will develop, some I am expecting to perhaps come to a stop, almost where my interest stops. Others which I have stated (specifically knowledge of nutrition and promoting good health) I know I want to explore in much greater details.

Has anyone else had much luck with theirs?