1. NO! We cannot take a day off from rehearsal just to hang out: We miss you too! But sadly, our show is in a few weeks, and we really need to get ourselves together… so no,the answer is always no to hanging out on nights we have rehearsals.

2. A performance for us is like States for you: Don’t you give it all or nothing? Don’t you practice and practice for that shining moment of glory and achievement? No, it is not just a simple show.

3. Us dancers get very antsy the week leading up to the weekend of opening night: Scatterbrained, nervous and sometimes downright insane.

4. Post Performance Depression (PPD) is legit: Yes, we may have another show in a month, but this was our last time dancing as a certain character, in a special costume, and having your nerves be expelled as you perform for an audience. Sometimes, it’s even the last show, period. Those are extremely rough. When you see a dancer after a show… proceed with caution.

5. We turn down sweets and other indulgences before shows.

6. Nutcracker season: Joy! Nerves! Excitement! Pain! Dread! Sadness! Emotions all around.

7. No, we don’t “Do Ballet,” we “Study Ballet”: Studying an art and molding it into our lives is not something we just do… You don’t just do an AP test and get good results, you study.

8. Not all dance schools are the same: There’s a difference between the American Ballet Theatre and “Dolly Dinkle’s Dancing Delight” (learn to tie your pointe shoes right. Notice how I didn’t say toe shoes)

9. We aren’t all as petty as society makes dancers look: Yes, we all have our moments, especially in the dressing rooms… but we all love each other like sisters (and brothers too!) and we all want everyone to succeed.

10. “Does it hurt to stand on your toes?!?!” Yes, it does! Sometimes, we bleed, blister, bruise and break our toes in the process! Counter Argument: “No, it never hurts… I do it all correct! (said no dancer ever)