Ballet, Blackberries and Cognac

By: Paul Seaquist

A few days ago while on tour in NYC, I found myself having dinner with Andrew Loog Oldham who is nothing more and nothing less than the creator and former manager and producer of the mega rock band The Rolling Stones.

Although we have known each other for some time now, every time we meet we talk and share stories as if it were the first time. Actually, in reality he is the one who is normally telling the stories, I am the one listening carefully and clinging to every word he says.

Anyways, nursing a Louis XIII after an exquisite dinner at Fiorello´s across from the Lincoln Center, we both stumbled to a topic which in no minor way has affected both of us during our management career: communication between artist and manager/impresario. For the first time, having experienced this dilemma in all its forms, I was the one doing all the talking and he respectfully listening to what my views on the subject were.

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Although I am in my early thirties, I have been related to all things ballet for nearly twenty years. I’ve managed and manage some of the biggest names in the ballet world, my stars perform yearly in all five continents and I produce and co-produce a healthy number of galas and performances around the planet.

I’ve learnt by experience, by doing all the before mentioned, that the most difficult thing about doing them is not the actual task of managing an artist or putting on a successful show, but the fact of communicating and having communication channels open during the process. I will focus mainly on the dancer side of the equation today although it is an equation which in its whole affects every aspect of not only the dance World but the World in general.

The times I’ve found my self waiting for the reply of an e-mail, or a text messages or for a dancer to call me back  to accept or deny an invitation to perform are countless. I would’ve thought, before getting to know the modus operandi of the business, that most dancers would jump to the opportunity of being invited to perform in galas or festivals or others. That even though busy with their day to day rehearsals and performances (which I know are many and demanding) there would be a minute in their life in which a phone call, or sms, or e-mail could be replied. It is not in reality a difficult task to do, so why is it not done as efficiently as it should?

I have never been the type for giving advice when not asked for it, but have always been fond of suggesting when the final objective is making improvements and reaching the excellence in which, in my judgement, things should function.

Let me suggest then to young dancers and aspiring stars to be attentive not only of your work in the studio (which in reality will form you as a dancer), and on stage (which will mold you in to an artist), but also to the more executive side of your career (should you not have a manager to tend to these matters) because this can transform you from a local dancer into a more global one, ergo in to a possible Star.

Devote a few minutes of your day to checking your e-mails, to answering your phone calls and/or sms´s. With today’s technology it is almost a sin not to do so, what is more we don’t even have to sit in front of a computer anymore to do it, you can do all from a Blackberry or I-phone or I-Pad with just a few thumb clicks. So do so! I am not saying that by doing so you will become the next Nureyev, Baryshnikov or Polina Semionova but it will surely put you, at least, in one of the right tracks.

Normally, among many other things that a manager or impresario is looking for in a dancer he desires to work with, is artistic and technical quality. This is undeniable. But also, and this may not be so known, a manager is looking for an easy communication with the dancer which will make his work more efficient. The possibility of saying “I have such and such a performance”, “in such and such a place”, “rep should be this or that”, “fee will be so much” and receiving an actual answer in a limited time is an example of good communication. Unfortunately, many times the answer or never comes or takes too long to finally arrive. Normally a producer or impresario will invite a dancer like this only once. The train of thought inside their mind being, he or she is a very nice dancer but… Beware of the “BUT”. Do not allow this “but” damage your career there are already too many “buts” in the art World to add one more.

Be smart, be humble; answering your phone does not make you less of an artist (strangely enough, the biggest names in ballet I know answer their calls and e-mails at the latest 24 hours after they receive them, and Im talking about the big dogs). I am not saying that this makes them greater stars but it surely helps. Try to give answers in time; this will surely benefit your career. Always think and have in mind that behind every call or e-mail there might be a great opportunity for you. Never let possibilities and opportunities pass you by. Normally they come by once or twice, then they stop coming… the phone stops ringing.

What would’ve happened if Nijinsky had not responded to Diaghilev’s desires to meet him that summer of 1908 at the old Europa Hotel in Saint Petersburg?

What would’ve happened if Nureyev had not responded to the invitation made by Margot Fonteyn to have tea with her that magic evening of their first meeting in London in the early 60s?

I think I make my point. Be fair to yourself and don’t close doors before they open. Be fair to the person organizing and producing performances; he deserves if not the certainty of your participation at least an answer. A “let me check”, “give me a few days and Ill get back to you” or a simple “Thanks but no thanks” will do.

Do not risk damaging your career by negligence… as you know, in today’s world, unfortunately, if you blink you lose!

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After a while I became quiet. I noticed my blackberry was ringing pulling me away from my train of thought. Id received an e-mail. In silence I checked it; I realized it was a confirmation from a dancer to perform in a gala that had already happened last month. A little to late I thought and sadly smiled. I looked out the window, took another sip of my cognac, snow was beginning to form on the sidewalks. It was good spending an evening with Andrew Loog Oldham in the middle of New York City.