En Pointe on the Road: Essential Travel Tips for Dancers
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As a professional dancer, I was lucky enough to see some amazing places while on tour! While we often traveled around our home state of Missouri, I also danced in Rhode Island, New York, and even South Korea! Through all my travels, I learned some very valuable lessons and picked up some killer tangible tips.
Whether you're a dancer heading out on tour or hitting the audition circuit, traveling can take a toll. It’s an exciting time filled with possibilities - it is also extra challenging to be away from your routine and the comforts of home.
From managing your gear to staying energized on the road, I’ve got the essential travel tips you need to help you glide through your journey with grace and ease:
1. Invest in quality luggage
I cannot overstate the importance of investing in quality luggage. Especially when traveling for performances or auditions, you need to ensure that your belongings arrive safely in one piece. I highly recommend a rolling bag for convenience and to save your body the stress of carrying heavy luggage. I also love this travel duffel with a luggage sleeve that you can slip onto your rolling bag and give your shoulder a break. Or if you’re more of a backpack person, this laptop backpack is a great pick for travel. It’s tempting to buy something cheap, but consider quality luggage an investment in your future.
2. Pack essentials in a carry-on
Your luggage could get lost at any time, and you don’t want to risk arriving at your audition or to a performance without your essentials. I define essentials as anything that I could not easily replace - a perfectly broken-in pair of pointe shoes, costumes/dancewear, and any prescription medications. It’s also advisable to pack at least one extra change of street clothes in your carry-on.
You have limited space, so you’ll have to make choices. A few of my favorite tools to help streamline and stay organized are:
As you’re considering what to put in your carry-on, just remember - if it can be easily replaced, or you could live without it for a few days while the airline tracks down a lost bag (even if it would be a pain in the butt), it can go in your checked bag.
3. Wear comfortable shoes
Our feet are one of our greatest assets - protect yours at all costs! The last thing you want is your feet hurting before you’ve even put your pointe shoes on. After years of subjecting myself to misery trying to wear my cutest shoes while traveling, I have learned my lesson and found the perfect shoe. (While perfection may not exist for us humans, these shoes fit the bill.) I averaged 18,000 steps a day walking around Europe in these and my feet felt like they were on clouds. They pair well with dresses and pants and wipe off clean. Truly one of the best investments I have ever made.
4. Sign up for rewards programs
If you’re traveling frequently, those hotel and airline points really start to add up! Most are free to register for, and only take a few seconds to sign up for an account. It’s also worth checking out travel credit cards - just be sure that you stick to a budget and have a plan to pay them off right away to avoid accruing interest or the perks you get will be wiped out by fees.
5. Stay hydrated and nourished
Traveling can be physically exhausting, especially for dancers constantly on the move. Airplanes have very low humidity levels and it’s easy to get dehydrated. Carry a refillable water bottle and consider adding in some electrolytes for additional hydration.
Airport food is notoriously pricey. Pack non-perishable snacks like nuts, fruits, and protein bars to avoid dropping your entire per diem on one snack. It’s also a good idea to have some of your favorite snacks on hand when traveling to an unfamiliar place. While a huge part of touring is immersing yourself in the local culture (including trying the delicious food), having some food that you know agrees with you in your bag is always helpful just in case. Plus, you want to consider the cost of living in your destination - my per diem took me much farther in rural Missouri than in NYC, so I always made sure to throw in extra snacks for those cities with higher prices.
6. Practice good hygiene
Airplanes are notoriously full of germs. Being in prolonged proximity with so many other humans coughing and sneezing makes us especially susceptible to catching something. Plus, tray tables, seatbelt buckles, and frequently touched surfaces may also be covered with germs. The last thing you want to do is arrive at your destination only to be unable to dance due to catching a cold.
I always make a point to wipe down my entire area before getting settled in my seat on an airplane. I also keep hand sanitizing wipes on hand to use frequently when I’m not able to wash my hands. As we learned over the past few years, it’s a great idea to wear a mask when not eating or drinking for maximum protection.
7. Keep moving
As I mentioned earlier, I was incredibly fortunate to go on tour to South Korea while dancing with Missouri Contemporary Ballet. This trip was a huge deal for a small company like MCB, and we were beyond excited.
The only downside was the 15-hour plane ride - by the time we landed in Seoul, my feet had swelled so badly that I could barely shove them into my pointe shoes. Without my compression socks, it would have been even worse. Especially on a long flight, it’s important to get up and walk around as much as possible. If you have to stay in your seat, try to at least point and flex your ankles regularly and elevate your legs (if possible to do without disturbing your seat neighbors!).
8. Expect the unexpected
Anything can happen when touring. This is a time when it pays to over prepare. You could be dancing on a much smaller or larger stage than you are used to. You may also have to make do with less-than-ideal flooring. If possible, arrive early to familiarize yourself with the venue and acclimate to the space.
It’s also advisable to bring extra pointe shoes - on that same tour to South Korea, we were performing outdoors and I failed to realize how quickly my pointe shoes would die in the extreme summer humidity. By our last performance, my shoes were barely hanging on - I definitely should have packed at least two more pairs of pointe shoes!
However, no matter how meticulously you plan, unexpected challenges and changes are inevitable when traveling. Stay flexible and adaptable in the face of unforeseen circumstances, whether it's a delayed flight, a last-minute rehearsal schedule change, or a sudden injury.
Of course, there is a difference between dealing with changes to your normal routine and dancing in downright dangerous conditions. (Alvin Ailey recently had to cancel a touring performance due to cold temperatures backstage.) Don’t be afraid to speak up if something is threatening your health and safety!
Approach each situation with clarity of mind to distinguish whether it is a slight annoyance you can make the best of or something that needs to be addressed with management.
8. Document your journey
Finally, don't forget to capture and cherish the memories of your journey. Take photos and videos of your performances, rehearsals, and adventures along the way. Keep a travel journal to record your thoughts and reflections, and share your experiences with friends, family, and fellow dancers through social media or a personal blog. You will cherish these memories for years to come!
Traveling as a dancer is a unique and enriching experience that offers opportunities for growth, inspiration, and connection. By following these travel tips and embracing the adventure with an open heart and mind, you'll be well-equipped to navigate the challenges and joys of life on the road as a dancer.
Psst…tap here for all of my fav travel products (seriously, I don’t know how I ever traveled without these!)
Meet the Author
Caitlin Sloan is a Dance Educator and Career Mentor based in Madison, WI.
Caitlin received her Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Grand Valley State University and Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the University of Missouri.
She danced professionally for nine years with companies including Ballet Tucson and Missouri Contemporary Ballet (now Mareck Dance). Caitlin has taught at schools all over the Midwest, most notably serving as Director of The School of Missouri Contemporary Ballet and Youth Company Director for Central Indiana Dance Ensemble. She is currently on faculty at the School of Madison Ballet.
Caitlin founded The Brainy Ballerina® in 2019, a virtual resource providing support and guidance for aspiring ballet dancers. Follow @thebrainyballerina on Instagram for your daily dose of dance career guidance and inspiration.
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