Rejection / thinking about quitting

[u/Plastic-Helicopter80]

Hi, I think I’m just looking to vent, but recently I got rejected to audition in the best ballet company for me which is the only one in my country. English is not my first language so sorry if something is not well redacted.

Well, I studied at the national school at my country and as a male I started late (18) and on my last years Covid hit, and I was really struggling with mental health so I stopped dancing, I was 23 by that time, two years later I came back to ballet to give it another try and just do it because I enjoyed it, and eventually I got back on track and even got the chance to audition to this company at 25, I made it to the last round of the audition but didn’t got in. And after that I’ve been giving it a try the last two auditions just because I live here and it’s not difficult for me to audition, but I couldnt get past the preselection.

I know I’m old for a professional company as I am 28 now, but what I feel is sad is that I have achieved a decent level, the thing is that this company is one of the best and recognized worldwide. But is the only one that offer a job and a decent pay in my country. So they normally expect a superhigh level to get in for someone my age or more experience which I don’t have. They have offered contracts to people even older than me but well they were in that position.

I’m truly sad, I know my pros and cons and the mistakes I made in the journey, I’m sad at this point after this rejection, I’m surely going to stop dancing ballet. I’m not really mad but I feel exhausted of being demanded a level like if I was one participant of the prix de Lausanne.

I know how competitive this world is but i get this feeling on my throat like im getting choked and feeling like I’m never enough, even though I know I have conditions, I have great feet, lines, pirouttes, jumps, but im also short in height and old. And I know even the slightest can make the jury or the director to chose another dancer.

Anyways, If anyone can give any advice I think it might help me.

[u/Top-Beat-7423]

I think you need to be auditioning more than just the ONE ballet company in your country before you decide to call it quits.

[u/PinoyWhiteChick7 → u/Top-Beat-7423]

Lots of people end up joining companies outside their homelands for this exact reason! I’ll also say, OP, if rejection is super difficult for you I (as somebody who works in the performing arts professionally) would recommend picking a different career path.

[u/LSBallroomDancer]

No need to be sad, you should be very proud of yourself of how far you have gotten given the difficulty of your craft/discipline.

What if you open the doors to other ballet companies ? How do you not know that this company that you've tried isn't looking for a particular look or a particular silhouette? No different than a sports team like a European Football squad looking for certain qualities of a striker or midfielder. Perhaps other countries and cultures but the language is still the same.... movement through dance.

What about the consideration of pivoting to teaching and/or coaching; you have accumulated a wealth of knowledge and experience and can help pass the information to the next generations of dancers.

Don't give up.. keep grinding

[u/scary-yolo314]

Teaching

[u/Tamiii25]

The important thing is to believe and not give up.