The role of psychological factors in the career of the independent dancer

Abstract

Previous research indicates that psychological factors such as motivation and mental skills play an important role in relation to performance and to negotiating talent development stages. However, little is known about these factors in dance, particularly with regard to the independent dancer whose career may involve multiple roles, varied work patterns, and periods of instability. The aim of this study was to explore dancers’ motivation to work in an independent capacity, and the extent to which dancers’ psychological characteristics and skills enabled them to navigate a career in this demanding sector. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 dancers at different stages of their careers. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and content analyzed. Analysis revealed that the dancers were intrinsically motivated and highly committed to the profession. Working in the independent sector offered dancers opportunities for growth and fulfillment; they appreciated the autonomy, flexibility and freedom that the independent career afforded, as well as working with new people across roles and disciplines. In order to overcome the various challenges associated with the independent role, optimism, self-belief, social support, and career management skills were crucial. The mental skills reported by the participants had developed gradually in response to the demands that they faced. Therefore, mental skills training could be invaluable for dancers to help them successfully negotiate the independent sector.

Understanding the Independent Dancer: Roles, Development and Success

“…Again, this concern has been raised in the past by Clarke and Gibson who highlighted that independent artists 'acquire many complementary skills ' (1998, 15) in order to succeed in the sector. The findings from this study together with previous research indicate that because participants were relying on informal and social networks to supply such skills they may not be provided sufficiently by the sector or by dance training (Aujla, Farrer 2015;Clarke, Gibson 1998).…”

“…The formal roles that the participants assumed included choreographing, performing, teaching, examining, facilitating projects and arts management. Although evidence from Aujla and Farrer (2015) suggests that variety is generally considered a positive aspect of freelance work, some dancers raised concerns about how sufficiently they could fulfil so many roles:…”

“…The sense of autonomy, freedom and control that dancers experience by working independently is an important motivating factor (Aujla, Farrer 2015). As such, it could be suggested that some dancers were motivated to develop their careers in relation to increasingly autonomous roles such as project management and choreography.…”

“…It must be noted however that such autonomy was also facilitated by the participants finding more financial and social stability through increased employment and the support of partners or family over time. It is also likely that increased experience, knowledge and confidence enabled dancers to make informed decisions as their careers progressed (Aujla, Farrer 2015).…”

“…The organisation Independent Dance began to operate under this name in 1992, acting as a centre to support and nurture independent dancers, and raise the profile of their work. Since this development there have been a limited but growing number of sources reporting on the sector including Arts Council documents (1998), magazine interviews with independent dancers (Rubidge 1993) and academic research in the field (Aujla, Farrer 2015;Hawksley 2012;Farrer 2014;Rouhiainen 2003). These sources suggest that the sector has continued to grow over the last 20 years and indicate a sustained concern and interest in what independent dancers do.…”