It is a privilege to speak to a professional ballet dancer about their performing life, after all wasn’t being a ballerina every little girls dream at one point? But Susie King ensures us that it is not all about glitter, tutus and becoming a magical princess for the evening. The 20 year old Principle Ballet Dancer who currently performs for the Rambert dance company, shares the hardship and price ballet dancers have to consider when fulfilling their dream.
1)How long have you been a dancer for?
18 Years
2)Why did you choose to become a dancer?
Both my parents were dancers so I got brought up into a dance environment. I attended my parent’s ballet school when I was 2 and I enjoyed it so much I've never wanted to give up. I love the sense of achievement when I do a show and everything works, also I just love performing and being on stage in front of an audience, it’s an amazing feeling and experience!
3)What requirements are companies looking for when hiring new dancers?
Body type to fit the rest of the company, experience, dance quality, size and height, ability, age, type of training, determination, drive and attitude.
4)How much hardship and dedication does a dancer need to commit?
Dancers have to live, eat, sleep and breathe dance. You have to have the right mentality to succeed as it’s so incredibly competitive, so you have be the first in the studio in the morning and the last the leave in the evening. Dance is a tough profession, so that’s why you have to be completely dedicated and work 100% every day!
5)What is the average amount that a dancer would spend on dance shoes and clothing, and how often do they need to be updated?
Depends on how strong or arched the dancers’ feet are, i personally go through 1 pair of point shoes every 2 weeks and they cost around £40. Dance clothes would cost me about £250 a year which includes leotards, tights and warm up clothes. But when a dancer is in a company, the company pay for any costumes and shoes, you just have to provide training clothes, but as a student you have to pay for everything, but once again it differs from dancer to dancer and school to school. I go to Rambert and they have a more relaxed attitude towards uniform but schools like the Royal Ballet are very strict so their students tend to have to spend more on dance wear.
6)Is there a criterion that must be followed when choosing dance clothing?
Breathable, easy to move, flattering to your body shape and something that clearly shows the body, nothing too baggy. Most ballet dancers just wear leotard and tights in class.
7)What is the primary underwear worn by dancers when performing?
Nude thong, or nude body stocking or sometimes nothing! Sometimes dancers have to wear sports bras which we call 'bounce' bras to stop the bounce! But that depends on how on large the girls chest is, most classical ballet dancers are very small so they don't need them.
8)How comfortable and flattering are the clothing items?
I personally find the dance clothes very comfortable and flattering to my body type, but it depends on the individual. In dance it tends to be the smaller and more toned the better as you can't hide anything, your whole body is on show.
9)Is the items (especially when performing) one size, or fitted to each dancer specifically?
They are normally fitted to the dancer. But sometimes companies reuse costumes so they have to either be altered to the dancer’s size or the dancer just has to squeeze in!
10)What is the average age that ballet dancers retire from performing?
40. But it varies a lot from dancer to dancer and if their body can still keep up with the rest of the company or injury or family desires etc.
11)If you could do it all over again would you change anything and if so what?
I don't think I would change anything because the ups and downs of my training and career so far have shaped the person and dancer I am today. So every experience has been a learning curve for me, good or bad! Plus I have had so much fun and had amazing experiences growing up because I was dancing I wouldn't want to change a thing
Rambert is a company who base their inspiration on a contemporary style mixed with traditional classical ballet. Their reviews from broadsheet critics have been of positive praise and since only being established in 1982 and keeping up to their same standards will ensure Rambert to have a long and successful presence ahead of them, ready for the next future generation of dancers. Here are a few images of Susie in action, her physique and ability is outstanding, truly breathtaking.
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