Caroline Lamb, 66
Choreographer, movement director and dancer
Don’t even think about entering this game unless you really, really love it and there’s nothing else you want to do; it’s a pretty tough industry and self-doubt and disappointment are regular emotions you’ll wrestle with.
Don’t do it for the money! Dance is generally the poorest paid of the arts.
Success can be down to being in the right place at the right time: It’s pretty random out there. But equally, have faith in yourself as an individual; you are unique and particular and that can often get you the work to which you are suited.
Be ready for rejection: But remember that often the reason you’re rejected is as simple as not having the right hair colour, so stay strong and persevere if it’s what you yearn to do.
Rehearsal code is important: In rehearsal it’s vital to try and stay professional and switch off from the rest of your life. Try not to bring your personal troubles to work; maintaining a good reputation as someone who has a professional approach (ie positive, willing, calm and reliable) is really important and will help to make you a more appealing option than someone who is temperamental, self-absorbed and generally tricky.
Learn how to keep reinventing yourself as you approach 40: There’s always someone younger coming up behind you. It’s easy to fade from people’s memories, like familiar wallpaper on a wall.
Ask yourself: What is it I can offer now? Experience is a great asset.
Learn to trust your gut: Creativity is both a strange and wonderful thing. When making your own work, listen to your instinct. Learn to hear the voices that emanate from the back of your head where your unknown, indefinable and sometimes strange creative juices swirl around. The world of creativity can be bizarre, nonsensical and irrational, but trust it, go with the flow and exciting things can happen.
Stay as fit as you can: The longer you leave it, the harder it is to get it back.
Don’t stop dancing, whatever happens in the rest of your life.
Alexandra Pickford, 66
Ballet dancer
Do what you want in your work life: I changed ballet companies twice for two different men, when I was happy where I was. The first time it worked out. The second was almost a disaster.
Taking a sabbatical can be a good thing: I did and met new people and enjoyed time away from the fabulous but very hard work. I returned to another company, refreshed, and gave 200% to my career.
Be yourself: You’re great! It’s fine for people to tell you that you are fabulous; believing it yourself is the hard part. I’m just beginning to realise it at 66.
Don’t resign in desperation: Find a mentor to take your problems to – someone who knows the business but is not in yours.
Take recordings of your performances when you retire: I left all mine behind and people often ask if I have any films of myself dancing.
Try to work for love not money: I almost always have. I can survive in retirement so feel I did the right thing.
Don’t hold back: Time is short.
Mike Wright, 67
Physical performer, teacher, dancer, trapeze artist and aerialist
Don’t presume to judge others: It’s useful advice from my mother and has stood me in good stead.
Just do it: Don’t ask the question “should I help?” if you are in a position to.
Take responsibility for your actions: I was taught this at an early age and it followed me all my life – not always to my benefit, but I can live with myself. My brother-in-law says: “You always do the right thing no matter what the cost.” Perhaps what he really means is that I’m stubborn.
Keep trying and don’t give up: Hard work pays off in unexpected ways.
Have faith in your own judgment: I was persuaded that an older person knew better and against my better judgment and wanting to make it work, I followed bad technical advice. It resulted in me breaking four vertebrae and a diversion in my career.
It’s okay to say no … if you don’t feel safe, after examining all the information. I teach this to all my students. “I can’t” is a kneejerk response but a “no” after some delay usually means you have at least thought about it. On reflection, I should have said no more often.
Remember that we are all equal: Some have more money, but no one is better than you. Money is not a reflection of who you are.
Don’t blindly trust journalists: I’ve been stung by many untrue “facts” – all in the name of a “good story”.
Always be prepared to accept that not everything will be a success, and learn from your failures. Failing is a better lesson than taking the safe options, as long as you don’t throw away the good with the bad.
Take more time for yourself: I wish I did as I have always put the good of the many over my own needs. My epitaph will probably read: “I’m fine.”
Caroline, Alexandra and Mike star in Once Upon a Time, which is at Circomedia Bristol from 25 to 27 September
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