Dear Incoming Freshmen,
Welcome to Butler Ballet! With your final weeks of summer approaching, your minds must be wandering to your upcoming school year on campus. This time last summer I was both scared and excited to see what being a college dance major at Butler would be like. Now that I know the ins and outs of being a Bulldog, here are 10 things about Butler Ballet life they don’t tell you during Welcome Week:
1) Keep an open mind in the studio
One of the best pieces of advice I heard about Butler is “to be prepared to completely relearn what you know about dance.” The staff is 100% dedicated to make us all into the best dancers we can be, so try and apply everything they say, even if you think it’s weird, different or scary. If you’re asked to be standing in a parallel releve on one count and to slide to the floor using nothing but your back, just go for it. If you’re told you’re gonna be performing a mazurka en pointe, you better start practicing. Once you actually do these seemingly impossible things, those 32 fouettes will be nothing.
2) Be prepared for the hectic schedules
One word to describe life in Butler Ballet is “busy.” Between dance classes, rehearsals, dance-related academics, non-dance academics, and required general courses, not to mention everything else you wanna do during your day, your credit hours will easily exceed those of normal students. Try and find the time that you need for yourself and use it wisely: to study, to relax, to take care of things you need to do, to go out and when to stay in. And plan accordingly for each day; we go from 8 am to about 5 pm straight, so get used to sitting in your FYS in your leotard.
3) Overcheck your Butler.edu
The communication choice for Butler Ballet is definitely email. Rehearsal schedules, changes to the rehearsal schedules, changes to class schedules and different opportunities are always sent through Butler email. Not to mention academic teachers that email about class cancellations, which you will definitely want to know about before you wake up and walk there in the freezing Indiana winter at 7 am. The best way to stay updated is to connect you Butler email to your phone and check before all you classes. And if you’re sick or can’t go to classes or rehearsal for any reason, be sure to email all your professors beforehand and let them know.
4) Get JCA credits out of the way
Just remember: 8 before you graduate, 5 per semester. And always always ALWAYS swipe your ID and fill out the slips before each event (this might not make sense yet but you’ll find out soon).
5) Utilize the Facilities
Something all professors will say is to use the studios outside of class. Luckily for us, Lilly Hall’s 5 studios are available at any time of the day. Just ask Judy in the office for a studio key and you can work on your tendus all night. The professors are always available in their offices, and if you ever have questions they are very willing to meet. And if you wanna work on other things, there are also other resources that are available. The physio room in the basement is fully equipped with rotating boards, ellipticals, exercise bands and a pilates reformer. A few days during the week we even have our own physical therapist come in to check on things that are bothering you or help with previous injuries. The Health and Recreation Center also has all exercise equipment imaginable, but I recommend spending your time in the hot tub, sauna, and pool. Although it might be difficult to make yourself work after our long days, but it’ll only be beneficial for your body. Just as Professor Ruffo says, “Try and use them as much as possible because you’re paying for it!”
6) Don’t be afraid to branch out academically
Your plans for a career will probably change throughout your years at Butler, which is ok! One of the greatest things about our program is that it offers three different degree plans: a BA in dance pedagogy, BFA in dance performance, and a BS in dance/arts administration. Most of you will be starting Butler as performance majors, but I guarantee that by graduation a majority of you will have switched. Don’t worry, your major won’t affect your placement or your casting. All three majors are required to perform, and require almost the same amount of dance courses. And if you’re interested in something completely outside of dance, Butler offers a variety of minors that can accommodate to a dancer’s schedule. Many dancers in the program have minors, from math to physical therapy to English.
7) Conserve your flex
No one wants to be the annoying friend mid-semester that’s always asking others to buy them something with their flex. WIth $400 per semester and about 4 months per semester, stick to $100 per month. Trust me, before Masterworks at 8 am or between Nutcracker shows, that grande coffee is gonna come in handy.
8) Participate!
There are plenty of opportunities to get involved at Butler, in the dance department and outside of it. Sigma Rho Delta, the Dance Fraternity of Butler, is a great way to meet and become friends with the other dancers, promote Butler Ballet, and get involved with other departments in the Jordan College of the Arts. Greek life on campus is huge, and a great way to make bonds with friends outside of the dance department. There are also many clubs, organizations, volunteer opportunities on campus to join. And if you’re looking for work, the Butler Bookstore and other food chains around campus can offer flexible hours for dancers. Your R.A. and unit will also have fun group activities throughout the year as well as both Schwitzer and Ross Halls.
9) Don’t be scared of Atown food
Dining hall food can be difficult to get used to after home-cooked meals. The best way to survive it is to find what works best for you and stick to it (whether it be salad bar, Miss Nikki’s sandwiches, bagels and cereal, or a raw tomato whole). And if not, Butler has a free shuttle to a nearby Target on the weekends that you can use to buy groceries and Broad Ripple is fully equipped with Chipotle, Hot Box Pizza, Noodles, and other places to eat out.
10) THE DANCING!
The reason we’re all here! When things get hectic and crazy, difficult or sad, or if you get lost in all the other amazing aspects of college, just remember the one thing that everyone in the department shares: we love what we do. And think about how lucky we are to be doing it at one of the top dance colleges in the country! Butler Ballet consists of students from all over the country, even from all over the world, and we’ve all sacrificed to be here. As long as you keep track of that, Butler Ballet can make you into the best dancer you couldn’t even imagine yourself becoming.
I wish you all the best for the start of freshman year!
-Alex Tarnowski
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