Beyond The Stage Door

As I travelled out of Singapore yesterday, I saw some sleep deprived people at the Changi International Airport, all set and ready to catch the very first flight out to some regional country for turnaround meetings. Which set me thinking in retrospect - again.

Many of you have watched 'The Dance Floor' but most of you wouldn't know about what went on behind the scenes of Singapore's first dance reality programme that was recently aired on Channel 5.

No, it’s not your sleazy story sub-basement slander of secrets the tabloids rant about…it’s the real human interest stories/ behind-the-scenes tales of sweat, toil and PASSION.

Get this, nearly all of the top ten dance competitors shuffled rigorous day jobs and late night dance rehearsals. Some competitors were performing to perfection on stage, in front of the camera and retching their guts out backstage during the commercial breaks — on one occasion it was food poisoning the other time it was just pure, old-fashion flu due to being rundown with a hectic schedule of work and rehearsal.

There were no guaranteed corporate endorsement dance deals like you see in the US. There were no professional gig guarantees. There were no training subsidies or product sponsorships...there wasn’t even a second, third or commendation award for anyone aside from the winner.

'The Dance Floor' participants sweat, took leave, sprained hands and ankles, vomited, got only tidbits of sleep, struggled and stressed with weekly choreographic challenges and most assuredly battled personal dilemmas all for the name of DANCE! That’s the purest form of dedication there is.

So, before all of those nay-sayers dismiss the efforts, talent and commitment of Singaporean dancers. Before judgments be cast upon those who 'dabbled in fun' instead of the practicality of the corporate world. Before comparisons be cast between American and local aspirants, pause should be given in honor of those whom have journeyed so far, for so little in the name of LIFE, PASSION and the PURSUIT of a dream of dance.

We must ask ourselves — as we drone in our mundane and mediocre dailies — when was the last time we sacrificed so much for so little, in the pursuit of a passion, which is dance?

Sleep on it...