Supporting Boys, Dance, boys dance too, Performing Arts

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Celebrating Boys and Dance

This subject is talked about a lot more now within our dance community but perhaps not enough beyond that. We want to dedicate this section of our website to celebrate and support all our amazing male dance students, dancers, teachers and choreographers.

Director - Brendon Hansford

by Chase Johnston

About me

My name is Chase and I am 22 years old. I first started dancing at the age of 8 at my local street dance academy. I absolutely loved it and learnt Street, Hip Hop, Breaking and other Urban Styles. I wanted to share some of the challenges I have faced so far as a male dance student.

While at High School I decided I would choose dance as one of my GCSE options. I really enjoyed it but of course was the only boy, which I didn’t mind. However the ‘cool boys’ thought this was hilarious and made fun of me but I actually found I had the strength to ignore them. I also played American football which I loved and maybe this somehow showed I could do sports and ‘guy things’ too. I was chosen to play for a Manchester team during my final year of high school.

At college I chose ‘A’ Level Dance, History, Electronics and a BTEC in Performing Arts and from there chose a Foundation course in dance at a college in Bristol. I continued playing American football. It was at this point I found myself wondering which way to go. Would I be able to make a career out of dance? What would people think of me? Could I really become a professional American footballer? I felt people around me doubted that either of these paths could lead me to a successful career and I decided to get a normal job after I had finished my course.

While working I still continued to take dance classes, teach dance to young children and play American football in my spare time. I was then offered a part scholarship at Leeds Beckett University in Leeds on their American football programme. Great, I thought, they see potential in me and I went for it. During this first year at university I made sure I still had time for dance. It felt right and I couldn’t let go of it. In March 2020 our world was struck by Corona Virus and like everyone else I suddenly found myself back at home, now aged 22 with time to think and reflect.

Why hadn’t I pursued dance further? Was it too late? Was I good enough? Could I still chase this dream? Was I too old? It was at this point that I contacted Future Performers just to have a chat. I told them about my journey so far and that I was considering trying to apply for a college or university to pursue dance and told them about my worries and concerns. Was it too late to apply? I knew I had missed the deadlines and in fact by this point most courses had already allocated their places.

Future Performers listened and took all of my preferences down and came back with some great options for me to try. They could not say that the colleges and universities would be able to accept applications at this late stage but they gave me the confidence to make those calls if this was something I really wanted to pursue.

I applied and was successfully accepted onto the BA Hons Degree in Professional and Commercial Dance course at Shockout in Manchester! My first week was full of mixed emotions. I have so much to work on. I have never taken a classical ballet or jazz class before but then felt amazing showing my breaking and hip hop skills in those classes. I absolutely loved it and that week I was awarded a full scholarship for my first year!

So, if you love dance but are perhaps having doubts, don’t! Explore lots of different options and ask for help and advice if you need it. Don’t let other people’s sceptical or negative comments put you off. Try and surround yourself with positive people who love dance too. I really doubted my ability and thought it was too late and am so glad that my love and passion for dance brought me to where I am now. Believe in yourself.

Chase Johnston.

Let's Talk

Dancing or any of the performing arts should be an exciting career prospect. Yes, it’s a tough journey, training is intense and securing regular work can be challenging but ask any performer if they would rather do anything else and you will see how passionate they are about their art!

So why are we still talking about the challenges male students face?

Girls do ballet, boys play football, don’t they? An outdated stigma and on the whole, we have come a long way but unfortunately perhaps not far enough yet. This outdated perception that dance is primarily an activity pursued by girls at a young age is changing but it still needs talking about.

From a young age children are influenced by parents, friends and society in general. What would a young boy’s parents encourage him to do as a hobby now in 2020? We really want to help and encourage young male students to continue their journey and their pursuit of becoming performers. Unfortunately, some boys are still teased about dancing and usually this is by people who actually have no idea what it takes to become a dancer/performer.

STRENGTH… DISCIPLINE… COMMITMENT… AGILITY… FITNESS… DEDICATION…TALENT… HARD WORK…

Dancers are athletes

The level of fitness and strength needed to become a professional dancer can be compared with that of a professional athlete. This applies particularly to male dancers. Remember this.

Being teased, name calling and negative comments

As mentioned previously this is something that definitely seems to happen less. With many programmes on television showcasing dance such as Britain’s Got Talent, Strictly Come Dancing and The Greatest Dancer, a wider audience has learned to appreciate dance. This is a definite positive.

However, especially during teenage years, there are still some that can find it amusing to make fun of boys who are studying dance. So, what should you do if you encounter this?

Our advice is to surround yourself with positive people who support you. Form friendships with other boys you dance with, as they will understand and you can talk about your experiences. All too often amazingly talented boys give up because of teasing and negative comments but you need to believe in your talent, passion and yourself and please keep going! You must tell someone if you are struggling. It could be a family member, dance teacher or anyone you feel comfortable talking to. Don’t suffer in silence. There will be so many people who recognise your talent and potential and will want to support you.

I’m the only boy

Many local dance schools are predominantly filled with girls and this can be very off putting for boys. The teachers are mostly female too but they will definitely welcome you and be overjoyed to have male students in their school. With many more styles of dance evolving, dance is becoming a lot ‘cooler’ and there are so many amazing options and opportunities available for boys now. There are some incredible male dance teachers out there that love the opportunity to teach and support young male students. Remember, they probably went through the same as you and will want to help and encourage you. Research classes, workshops, conventions and now even online platforms.

Open Days and Auditions

Many colleges and universities now offer specific open, taster and audition days for boys. You then know that when you arrive you will not be the only boy… maybe you don’t mind this and that’s fantastic but if this worries you, have a look at the websites to see if this is something they offer. Think about the different styles you like and take as many classes and workshops in those as you can but also remember it is good to be an all rounder and even if it is scary, it is good to take classes in the disciplines you are not strong in or maybe have never tried.

Keep going

We haven’t got all the answers but what we can say is that if this is something that you love and makes you happy, please don’t let anything stop you!