Guidelines for Sitting Out

Sometimes you take a hard fall in class or are on doctor’s orders not to jump on your hurt foot.  Everyone ends up sitting and observing class and rehearsal once in a while.  It can be an enriching experience, although sometimes it’s disheartening to watch friends dance and not join in.  Here are some guidelines of etiquette for sitting out.

1.       Wear your uniform or dancewear to the best of your ability.  If you have a cast on your leg and can’t put on pink tights, it’s understandable.  To the best extent possible, wear your leotard or jazz pants or dance team jacket to class as expected, even if you know you’ll be sitting out.

2.       Watch where you sit.  If it’s not obvious from the studio culture, it’s best to ask the teacher where you should sit just to be sure you aren’t in the way.  Avoid places where other students tend to line up or stretch, and make sure you’re not blocking a doorway or other commonly travelled path. 

3.       Stay sitting.  It’s ok to stretch a little, mark combinations with your hands, or follow port de bras with the rest of the class, but refrain from moving around a lot (which could be distracting to others).  Don’t lie down unless it’s absolutely necessary (like if you start having extreme vertigo).

4.       Remain quiet.  If other students end up near you, like while waiting for a turn to go across the floor, don’t start up a conversation.  Watch the dancers who are dancing.  If another student starts talking to you (maybe asking “what’s wrong?”), you can give a simple answer (“my foot is hurt”) in line with the class rules for talking.  Kindly remind other students to pay attention to the teacher if you feel like you’re a distraction.

5.       Take notes.  It’s a good idea to write down some of the combinations the class does and some of the common corrections so you can try them out later when you’re feeling better.  Never write down other dancers’ mistakes, but do take note of any suggestions a teacher gives to improve particular skills.

6.       Follow the teacher’s directions.  If he wants you to elevate your injury, do that.  If he says to put on a legwarmer, do that.  If he says you’re not allowed to put on warm-ups, respect it.  Different teachers have different rules regarding sitting out, and you need to obey them even if other teachers say differently.  This shows that you’re serious about your training, eager to feel better, and not using your time sitting out as time to goof off.

7.       Watch how often it happens (but listen to your body).  If you have an injury and can’t dance for four weeks, you will be sitting out for four weeks.  On week five, you should be ready to participate to the fullest extent you can.  It’s ok to need to continue to sit out for strenuous movements like jumps, but try to add more every class.  If you’re sitting out for something minor, like feeling sick, don’t milk it and sit out the next class as well.  Only sitting out when you really need to helps elevate your reputation as a strong, smart, and enthusiastic dancer.

Similarly, respect the teacher if he sees you struggling and tells you to sit out.  If the teacher refuses to let you sit out, try your best in class.  If you feel a lot of pain, feel in danger of your injury worsening, or feel in danger of fainting or getting sick, politely insist to have a seat or go out to the lobby or bathroom.

8.       Respect other dancers who are sitting out.  If you are participating in class and someone else has to sit out for an injury, show respect by staying out of their space and refraining from chatting with them, staring at them, or gossiping about them.  If you want to ask what happened or show support and sympathy, wait until after class.