Career Transition For Dancers
Encyclopedia
Career Transition For Dancers is a nonprofit organization
with offices in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago dedicated to helping dancers establish new careers when they have retired from their performing careers. Founded in 1985, the organization has provided over 46,000 hours of individual and group career counseling, with a dollar value of over $4 million, and awarded over $3 million in educational and entrepreneurial support. The organization has 4,600 active dancer-clients and has helped thousands of dancers in 47 states with their transitions through mobile National Outreach Projects.
, the AFL-CIO Labor Institute for Human Enrichment and the Actors’ Equity Association, led by Agnes de Mille
, granted funding for a conference to discuss the need to assist dancers both during and at the end of their careers.
The conference took place on June 8, 1982 and was led by Project Director Edward Weston, Chairman Richard E. LeBlond, Jr., and Honorary Chairman Agnes de Mille. Exploring the trauma professional dancers face both during and at the end of their careers, the main goal of the conference was to consider how to better assist dancers with moving into new professions that would make use of their backgrounds, talents and skills. By the end of the conference it had been agreed that it was critical for dancers to begin exploring alternative careers at the beginning of their dance training and performing careers.
In 1985, nonprofit organization Career Transition For Dancers, Inc. was established in New York City with money from Actors’ Equity Association, the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists
, American Guild of Musical Artists
, and the Screen Actors Guild
. Career Transition For Dancers is the only organization in the United States dedicated solely to the enrichment of dancers’ post-performing years.
Career Transition For Dancers' programs and services are offered to dancers at all stages in their career, whether pre-professional, mid-career, or retired. The organization offers individual career counseling, Career Conversation seminars, focus and support groups, national and local outreach projects and financial assistance in the form of scholarships and entrepreneurial grants. All services are free of charge to dancer-clients.
For many dancers, “transition” is synonymous with a sense of mourning – a loss of purpose and sense of fulfillment. Toward this end, Career Transition For Dancers stresses self-empowerment and the development of identity. The organization believes that dancers’ skills are easily translatable to new careers, and aims to provide dancer-clients with the tools necessary to help ease the transition into new career possibilities.
(Canada), The Dancers' Career Development (UK), Association Suisse Pour la Reconversion des Danseurs Professionnels (Switzerland).
The organization offers one-on-one career counseling, informative Career Conversation seminars on relevant topics of interest, and focus and support groups such as the Business Group (for dancer-entrepreneurs) and the Diamond Group (for mature dancers). In 2009, the organization began putting archived footage of its Career Conversation seminars on their website.
In recognition of the geographic distribution of dancers nationwide, as well as their rigorous touring schedules, the organization created CareerLine, a toll-free hotline that allows dancers from all areas of the country to receive counseling and support.
National Outreach Projects (NOPs) provide counseling and seminars for two days in various locations throughout the nation each year. Workshops examine the key components of career transition, from defining interests and skills to understanding the emotional aspects of change. Individual career counseling sessions are also offered after the workshops. To date, the organization has toured over 30 locations around the country.
Local Outreach Projects provide dancers with a chance to learn about the organization and the services they provide.
, former principal dancer with NYCB, received a grant from the organization to attend culinary school after retiring, and wrote a cookbook with his former dance partner, Heather Watts. He now teaches at the School of American Ballet
and manages a catering events company called Lucky Basset Events.
, the gala features leading dancers and actors as hosts, presenters, and performers. Past hosts and presenters include Angela Lansbury
, James Earl Jones
, Chita Rivera
and Isabella Rossellini
. Past performers have included Ashley Bouder of New York City Ballet, Paloma Herrera
and Jose Manuel Carreno
of American Ballet Theatre
, and students of the Alvin Ailey School. The gala has been staged by Ann Marie DeAngelo
since 2004.
On November 8, 2010 Career Transition For Dancers celebrated its 25th anniversary at its 25th Anniversary Silver Jubilee gala. The program was hosted by actress Angela Lansbury
and honored choreographer Twyla Tharp
with 2010 Rolex Dance Award.
Nonprofit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
with offices in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago dedicated to helping dancers establish new careers when they have retired from their performing careers. Founded in 1985, the organization has provided over 46,000 hours of individual and group career counseling, with a dollar value of over $4 million, and awarded over $3 million in educational and entrepreneurial support. The organization has 4,600 active dancer-clients and has helped thousands of dancers in 47 states with their transitions through mobile National Outreach Projects.
History
In 1982, several foundations and unions including the National Endowment for the ArtsNational Endowment for the Arts
The National Endowment for the Arts is an independent agency of the United States federal government that offers support and funding for projects exhibiting artistic excellence. It was created by an act of the U.S. Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government. Its current...
, the AFL-CIO Labor Institute for Human Enrichment and the Actors’ Equity Association, led by Agnes de Mille
Agnes de Mille
Agnes George de Mille was an American dancer and choreographer.-Early years:Agnes de Mille was born in New York City into a well-connected family of theater professionals. Her father William C. deMille and her uncle Cecil B. DeMille were both Hollywood directors...
, granted funding for a conference to discuss the need to assist dancers both during and at the end of their careers.
The conference took place on June 8, 1982 and was led by Project Director Edward Weston, Chairman Richard E. LeBlond, Jr., and Honorary Chairman Agnes de Mille. Exploring the trauma professional dancers face both during and at the end of their careers, the main goal of the conference was to consider how to better assist dancers with moving into new professions that would make use of their backgrounds, talents and skills. By the end of the conference it had been agreed that it was critical for dancers to begin exploring alternative careers at the beginning of their dance training and performing careers.
In 1985, nonprofit organization Career Transition For Dancers, Inc. was established in New York City with money from Actors’ Equity Association, the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists
American Federation of Television and Radio Artists
The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists is a performers' union that represents a wide variety of talent, including actors in radio and television, as well as radio and television announcers and newspersons, singers and recording artists , promo and voice-over announcers and other...
, American Guild of Musical Artists
American Guild of Musical Artists
The American Guild of Musical Artists, AFL-CIO is the American labor union that represents 8,000 current and retired opera singers, ballet and other dancers, opera Directors, backstage production personnel at opera and dance companies, and figure skaters.-Jurisdiction:According to its website it...
, and the Screen Actors Guild
Screen Actors Guild
The Screen Actors Guild is an American labor union representing over 200,000 film and television principal performers and background performers worldwide...
. Career Transition For Dancers is the only organization in the United States dedicated solely to the enrichment of dancers’ post-performing years.
Caroline Newhouse
Caroline Newhouse (1910–2003), an artist and arts philanthropist, served on the Board of Career Transition For Dancers as Director Emerita, establishing The Caroline H. Newhouse Scholarship Fund as well as The Caroline & Theodore Newhouse Center for Dancers with an endowed gift of $1 million during her tenure. Ms. Newhouse, an artist herself, always felt a special bond with dancers, who often served as models for her artwork. "While you sculpt, you talk, and they told me how hard they have to work in order to perform," she said. "There is no time for them to do anything except dance, dance, dance. And at 29, the body doesn't react anymore as it did when you were 19." Ms. Newhouse’s love for dance was also shared by her husband, Theodore Newhouse, who helped establish the Newhouse communications company. The company owns Condé Naste Publications, which has been a long-time supporter of the organization and is currently one of the organization's annual gala underwriters, along with the Samuel I. Newhouse Foundation.Mission
The mission of Career Transition For Dancers is to enable dancers to define their career possibilities and develop the skills necessary to excel in a variety of disciplines.Career Transition For Dancers' programs and services are offered to dancers at all stages in their career, whether pre-professional, mid-career, or retired. The organization offers individual career counseling, Career Conversation seminars, focus and support groups, national and local outreach projects and financial assistance in the form of scholarships and entrepreneurial grants. All services are free of charge to dancer-clients.
For many dancers, “transition” is synonymous with a sense of mourning – a loss of purpose and sense of fulfillment. Toward this end, Career Transition For Dancers stresses self-empowerment and the development of identity. The organization believes that dancers’ skills are easily translatable to new careers, and aims to provide dancer-clients with the tools necessary to help ease the transition into new career possibilities.
Locations
The organization is based in New York City, where the first office opened in 1985. A second branch opened in Los Angeles in 1995, and a third was established in Chicago in 2008. In addition, the organization maintains a national reach through annual National Outreach Projects in various cities throughout the United States.International Affiliations
Career Transition For Dancers is a member of the International Organization for the Transition of Professional Dancers(IOTPD). Other organizations in the IOTPD include: Dancer Transition Resource CentreDancer transition resource centre
Founded in 1985 by former ballerina Joysanne Sidimus, the Dancer Transition Resource Centre is a Canadian charity that provides counselling and retraining grants to dancers making career transitions...
(Canada), The Dancers' Career Development (UK), Association Suisse Pour la Reconversion des Danseurs Professionnels (Switzerland).
Career Counseling
Career counseling is offerend in-person through the organization's three offices, over the internet and by phone. These methods have provided more than 4,600 dancers in 47 states with approximately 46,000 hours of career counseling.The organization offers one-on-one career counseling, informative Career Conversation seminars on relevant topics of interest, and focus and support groups such as the Business Group (for dancer-entrepreneurs) and the Diamond Group (for mature dancers). In 2009, the organization began putting archived footage of its Career Conversation seminars on their website.
In recognition of the geographic distribution of dancers nationwide, as well as their rigorous touring schedules, the organization created CareerLine, a toll-free hotline that allows dancers from all areas of the country to receive counseling and support.
National Outreach Projects (NOPs) provide counseling and seminars for two days in various locations throughout the nation each year. Workshops examine the key components of career transition, from defining interests and skills to understanding the emotional aspects of change. Individual career counseling sessions are also offered after the workshops. To date, the organization has toured over 30 locations around the country.
Local Outreach Projects provide dancers with a chance to learn about the organization and the services they provide.
Grants and Scholarships
Career Transition For Dancers provides grants and educational scholarships that allow dancers to go back to school or start new businesses. Over $4 million has been awarded for educational scholarships towards tuition, books, and related expenses since 1985. Over $400,000 has been awarded to entrepreneurial dancers.Stepping Into Hope And Change
In April 2010, Career Transition For Dancers hosted the first annual Stepping Into Hope And Change conference, a day-long career development seminar for dancers. Open to pre-professional, current and former professional dancers, the seminar hosted industry speakers, workshops, partner organizations and businesses who addressed the current needs of dancers in light of the shifting economic climate across the country. The day-long event featured six breakout sessions focused on survival work, hot careers and exploration, and finding a passion-based career. The entire seminar was streamed seminar live via the internet for dancers across the country who could not attend in person.Resources
Each of the organization’s offices have a computer lab and resource center that are open to all dancers. Resource center materials include self-help manuals, college guides, a job bank, and various publications relevant to working dancers pursuing career development. In 2002 the organization launched The National Career Network, a searchable database of successfully transitioned dancers, enabling dancer-clients to connect with professional mentors and learn about possible career paths. In 2007 the database was posted online and expanded, allowing non-dancer professionals to become mentors as well. The organization also began providing online services on their newly-redesigned resource website in 2008. Program videos are streamed on the site and Career Conversations are syndicated through iTunes. The website includes a digital library of the semi-annual newsletter, a directory of third-party career resource websites known as Transition Links, and a comprehensive schedule of events.Notable "Alumni"
Jock SotoJock Soto
Jock Soto is a former American ballet dancer and current ballet instructor.-Career:Soto danced featured roles in over 40 ballets, of which more than 35 were created for him....
, former principal dancer with NYCB, received a grant from the organization to attend culinary school after retiring, and wrote a cookbook with his former dance partner, Heather Watts. He now teaches at the School of American Ballet
School of American Ballet
The School of American Ballet is one of the most famous classical ballet schools in the world and is the associate school of the New York City Ballet, a leading international ballet company based at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City. The school trains students from the...
and manages a catering events company called Lucky Basset Events.
Gala
In November, the organization holds their annual fundraising gala, known in the dance community at the dance event of the season. Sponsored by RolexRolex
Rolex SA is a Swiss watchmaking manufacturer of high-quality, luxury wristwatches. Rolex watches are popularly regarded as status symbols and BusinessWeek magazine ranks Rolex No.71 on its 2007 annual list of the 100 most valuable global brands...
, the gala features leading dancers and actors as hosts, presenters, and performers. Past hosts and presenters include Angela Lansbury
Angela Lansbury
Angela Brigid Lansbury CBE is an English actress and singer in theatre, television and motion pictures, whose career has spanned eight decades and earned her more performance Tony Awards than any other individual , with five wins...
, James Earl Jones
James Earl Jones
James Earl Jones is an American actor. He is well-known for his distinctive bass voice and for his portrayal of characters of substance, gravitas and leadership...
, Chita Rivera
Chita Rivera
Chita Rivera is an American actress, dancer, and singer best known for her roles in musical theater. She is the first Hispanic woman to receive a Kennedy Center Honors award...
and Isabella Rossellini
Isabella Rossellini
Isabella Fiorella Elettra Giovanna Rossellini is an Italian actress, filmmaker, author, philanthropist, and model. Rossellini is noted for her 14-year tenure as a Lancôme model, and for her roles in films such as Blue Velvet and Death Becomes Her.-Background and early life:Rossellini is a...
. Past performers have included Ashley Bouder of New York City Ballet, Paloma Herrera
Paloma Herrera
Paloma Herrera , is a principal ballet dancer with the American Ballet Theatre.Ms. Herrera was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and began studying ballet there at the age of seven with teacher Olga Ferri...
and Jose Manuel Carreno
Jose Manuel Carreño
José Manuel Carreño is a retired Cuban ballet dancer, who performed as a principal dancer with the English National Ballet, Royal Ballet and American Ballet Theatre....
of American Ballet Theatre
American Ballet Theatre
American Ballet Theatre , based in New York City, was one of the foremost ballet companies of the 20th century. It continues as a leading dance company in the world today...
, and students of the Alvin Ailey School. The gala has been staged by Ann Marie DeAngelo
Ann Marie DeAngelo
Ann Marie DeAngelo is an American choreographer, director, teacher, and former dancer. She was leading ballerina with the Joffrey Ballet, where she later served as associate director at the time of the company's move to Chicago, Illinois in 1995. DeAngelo was the founding artistic director of...
since 2004.
On November 8, 2010 Career Transition For Dancers celebrated its 25th anniversary at its 25th Anniversary Silver Jubilee gala. The program was hosted by actress Angela Lansbury
Angela Lansbury
Angela Brigid Lansbury CBE is an English actress and singer in theatre, television and motion pictures, whose career has spanned eight decades and earned her more performance Tony Awards than any other individual , with five wins...
and honored choreographer Twyla Tharp
Twyla Tharp
Twyla Tharp is an American dancer and choreographer, who lives and works in New York City.-Early years:Tharp was born in 1941 on a farm in Portland, Indiana, and was named after Twila Thornburg, the "Pig Princess" of the 89th Annual Muncie Fair in Indiana.she spend hours working on it to help her...
with 2010 Rolex Dance Award.