My heart’s been hurting for the Dancers these days. For the Artists whose lives and livelihoods have been put on hold, whose talents have been confined to living rooms and backyards. If you’re among them, here’s a little reminder that the empty studios and stages are awaiting you… Audiences are hungry for your gifts & cultural fabric is thirsty to host the magic within your footprint.
Since retiring from the stage 5 years ago, I’ve chronicled much of the emotional hardship in my transition right here on Tutus & Tea. I’ve grappled with my identity outside of my “Ballerina” self, poured myself into learning & unlearning at University, and tried on a series of “roles” with varied levels of interest/passion. On a personal note, it nearly kills me that beyond my 16-year tenure as a Dancer, I’ve reduced that “job” down to two lines on my resumé in order to make room for more “coveted” or quantifiable “professional” experience. The irony being that I could never actually magnify the life/job experience I gained from my former career as a Ballerina to the degree I feel it deserves.
The life of a performing Artist can’t ever and should never be reduced to “read” less gritty than it is in reality, nor less grandiose than the Art it creates… enlightening our world all the while, it remains a “Calling” that too often comes at the cost of the Artists themselves.
I’ve been looking for ways to give back to a community, industry and life that gave me so much. I’ve received so many messages from dancers asking my thought process around retiring, applying for college, going back to school, and leveraging skills earned by elite athleticism and artistry for a life and career path beyond the barre.
Along my own came Jessica Cohen. Another former ballerina & Broadway actress who would become my roommate in New York City, a close friend and mentor along the journey of my life’s transition.
Together, we decided to create Artists Becoming ✨
A 4-week wellness workshop designed uniquely to support current & former performing artists— no matter where you’re at in your Becoming. There’s SO much to metabolize within an Artist’s career…and there’s SO much to envision & express beyond it.
Are you an artist feeling disconnected or uncertain with your future in the performing arts? Are you a ‘former’ artist looking for ways to reconnect to your passions through a new lens? Maybe you’re neither, but are looking for ways to support the Artists in your life during this impossible time in Performing Arts’ History?
The Workshop provides a combination of Yoga, Meditation, integrative prompts & empowering conversation with guest Artists — via an on-demand course at your fingertips. It’s uniquely designed to supplement the technical training of your art form with mindful conditioning practices & emotional support via an accessible format that works with your schedule.
Ready to find power within the gifts you’ve worked your life to cultivate?
As Artists (forever) Becoming, you’ll learn to:
- reconnect with yourself & your gifts
- metabolize your injuries/setbacks & embrace your professional pivots
- show up & own your worth
- articulate your potential beyond the stage
Gain mentorship, tools, content & practices to empower your longest, most authentic role: YOU.
Join The Workshop, launching April 2021 | To Learn more / Enroll / Sponsor an Artist:
The offbeat Chronicles of a TuTu with Tea 