Well, I've at time referred to myself as star of stage, screen and cow pasture, because dancers never know what awaits them next.<P>While in the Czech Republic one year, we actually did have to tap dance in a pasture. That was actually more funny than dangerous. In that particular country, which was going through transition from Communism to capitalism, we performed primarily in what the Communist government had established as "Dom Kuturi" (I hope I have spelled this correctly). It referred to the cultural center in each community. You could be dancing on a bonafide stage, or on concrete steps. <P>This was compounded by the fact that our troupe danced in a variety of styles, so that footwear varied from bare feet to character boots to tap shoes to oponci (spell again?). It was all part and parcel of the deal. Also -- all performances that year were outdoors, so you simply prayed for good weather. <P>I found dancing in the town squares in France somewhat more difficult actually. There were some terribly slippery stages, and usually your partner would watch out for you big time. But I was with a guy once whose face is adjacent to misygonist in the dictionary (there are many women in town sporting bruises from this fella) and he just let me slide across the stage from hell one evening in Versailles. I got right up and clogged away but my wrist was shot for doing lifts after that. <P>It's kind of like driving a car in icy conditions. Is it really the ice that's so dangerous, or is it the way people drive, not wanting to make any adjustments, especially on behalf of their partner. What I'm saying is that no matter what the stage conditions, trust and respect between dancers is imperative.<P>Back in town here, one year, I was asked to be part of a performance art piece at an annual multi-event show, where people walk through theater after theater at will, taking in as much or as little as they wish. I participated in all rehearsals, but during dress rehearsal, saw that our particular stage was covered in pigeon dung and that these rats with wings were laughing and scratching in the rafters. When the theater would make no effort to clean up the space of this 'prestigious' show, I refused to perform. <P>The thing is, lots of people don't know what questions to ask and/or feel intimidated about asking them. But not doing so perpetuates this myth(?) that people are willing to do anything to perform. <P>It's like the last place I took class. There was 'fur' growing on the ceiling fans, coming out of the air ducts, dangling from the air conditioner, and decorating the walls, and the barres hadn't been cleaned in years. There were infrequent comments made but no one ever thought about demanding a clean studio from the owner (married to a doctor at that!). <P>When one person makes a reasonable request, she's a bitch or prima donna, etc., but if an entire group could come together in the interest of health and safety, things might finally change for the better.<P>I was in the hospital this morning for a series of tests and the entire floor reeked of cigarette smoke coming in the vents. When I inquired about this to several personnel, they said, "yeah, now that you mention it, it does smell." But that was as far as it would go. <P>It's hard for me lately not to think that endangerment of our safety and health is something we simply allow as a society to perpetuate. But why?????????????? <P>[This message has been edited by Christina (edited March 19, 2001).]<p>[This message has been edited by Christina (edited March 19, 2001).]
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