Take a class outside of the dance discipline that develops your skills as an artist. Acting classes are particularly helpful, as they help you build a character for each dance. While the strength of your technique is important, so is the artistic interpretation that you bring to each role. A strong character with a clear emotional motivation elevates any dance performance. Classes in music and studio art help strengthen your performance technique as well by bolstering your musicality, physical coordination and artistic interpretation.
Build on your physical endurance and strength. Cross-training programs like Pilates help build strength in core muscles, which provide support and stability for dancers. Yoga increases flexibility and concentration, and cardiovascular workouts, like swimming laps, contribute to your overall health without the high-impact risks of running or kick-boxing. The stronger your body becomes, the more your endurance for long routines and complicated steps increases. The energy you would have lost due to exhaustion can go toward fully interpreting the dance.
Be critical of yourself, but in a positive manner. Ask yourself the tough questions and demand honest answers. Are you adequately stretching and warming up your body before classes and rehearsals? Do you get enough sleep and give your body the proper nutrients it needs to sustain you through a performance? How many hours are you practicing outside of class sessions? Are you still passionate about the art of dance, or do you find that your enthusiasm has waned? These are difficult questions to ask, but they are essential to improving your performance technique. Check in with yourself to ensure that you are giving yourself everything you need, both emotionally and physically, to be the best dancer you can be.