If you're so good...

I just watched a video of a phenomenal male dancer. Triple saut de basque, huge double back cabrioles, lots of turns. You've probably seen him on Facebook. No, I won't name him. Now, technically, he's good enough to be a principal at ABT. So why is he dancing for a company that has 12 dancers, 4 of whom are apprentices and 4 are trainees?

He's a jerk. Or so, I've heard.

He walked out on a contract with a larger company, just walked out. I don't know why, but as you hear more about him, read more, see how good he is, then see where he's dancing, now, the pieces fall into place.

He's a jerk.

The ballet world is very small. Very, very small. People talk. Word gets around. If you're a jerk, it doesn't matter how good you are, people will not hire you. It you've walked out on a contract, few people will trust you. I've seen it, many times, before. I've known some amazing dancers who just couldn't get hired. Why? 

Because they were jerks.

Not only jerks, but incredibly stupid, as well, because they never changed their tune. They were good enough to be with major companies, but never made it. They'd cover it by saying they were exploring opportunities, or they didn't want to be tied down. Bull. You don't want a steady salary? You're an idiot. 

Most of the time, these morons were the truly gifted ones. Perfect bodies, natural turners or jumpers. They had everything. Never really had to work hard. People with so much talent, but no work ethic, no dedication, no honor. 

Jerks.

It doesn't matter how high you jump, how many turns you can do, or how perfect your feet are. If you're a jerk, that's what people will remember.

Be a good person. Otherwise...

See you in class.