Professional Goals
Charlie Walker’s short-term professional goal is to start working in live entertainment as a performer, with a goal of working on cruise ships. His training instilled in him a high level of performance, versatility, discipline, and consistency, and that is what makes him interested in this. Practicing in this space would also enable him to hone his ensemble performance talent, learning choreographed material, working with partners, and keeping performance quality high and consistent over repeated performances.
In the short term, Charlie hopes to continue to develop into a dependable and adaptable performer who can confidently work within professional rehearsal and large-scale production situations. Especially for projects with some kind of structured show material, some sort of really good ensemble work, along with the regularity of an on-stage production.
Besides performing, he would also like to continue to work on range, with increased physical strength and a bit more versatility, so that as he continues, he becomes able to deal with the industry and make it his own. And he plans to continue gaining confidence in creative digital work such as recording videos and using camera software for his works skills that are becoming more and more important in contemporary performance practice and to advertise oneself.
In the long term, Charlie aims to move up to be a teacher in the performing arts. When he has his years as a professional performer, he hopes to utilize what he learns so he can help other dancers figure out how to perform or achieve their dreams and career goals. That training happens in your own classroom, where you can not only provide concrete advice and guidance, you can also inspire discipline, confidence, and persistence in the next generation of talent. He is not just looking to perform for performance’s sake in the long run but to hone his artistic capacity as an all-around artist and as an innovator for the performance trade.
Sector Awareness
The performing arts industry is a competitive field. Performers' development must encompass a combination of skillful technical mastery and professionalism as well as adaptability and a good knowledge of the functioning of the industry if the artists are to build a sustainable career.
Performers must both have a high quality of performance and work very well, often in a range of rehearsal and performance settings, with the expectation of learning quickly in many sectors including dance and live entertainment. That is to say, success is something that is often determined by more than talent. You need to have an acute understanding of professionalism here. Those taking the stage will have to be trustworthy, ready and open to direction, in addition to doing a good bit for the cast, company or creative team.
Collaboration is a central part of the profession; dancers work closely with choreographers, directors and stage management in many cases as well as technical teams to finalize dance pieces to meet the standards of professional performance work.
A good deal of versatility is also becoming more important, given that lots of artists are seen moving from style or project to project or professional environment in their career. Portfolio careers are also gaining traction in the sector as performers can cross over between performing, potentially teaching, creative media, choreography, or freelance projects. This has increased the extent to which self-promotion and presentation through digital means is part of professional practice. By actively being present online with information, having clear promotional material and showcasing confidence regarding what they create (via digital content) performers can both keep their image polished and take advantage of additional opportunities that open up.
Nowhere is it more relevant than in the present environment where visibility and presentation are vital components of employability. My studies within the industry have shown me that to become a successful performer involves continuous development, tenacity and the ability to present yourself professionally on stage as well as off it. And it is then that I am preparing for both a career in performance and eventually teaching.