Performing Artists and the Pandemic

To say this global pandemic was a devastating blow to everyone is a vast understatement. 

“After over 50 years performing professionally, it appeared my world was coming to an end,” said Anthony Marciona, chair of L.A. Dancers Committee “Theaters shut down; film, commercial and TV productions were canceled or postponed; and concerts and events were indefinitely put off. Sadly, as the L.A. Dancers Committee co-chair, I learned many dancers relocated or left the business.”

Nonetheless, who is more resilient than dancers? Since March 2020, it has become a time of reevaluation. Performing is still the top priority, but when jobs are scarce, what do you do? 
Zoom quickly came to the rescue. Dancers joined other performers to do what they do best: create and perform. They kept in shape with online classes and virtual performances. Some pursued alternate artistic outlets or became involved in politics. In the main, we reached out to each other to help keep everything in perspective. 

It was important to keep creating. By keeping our bodies and crafts sharpened, we will be ready when this situation finally ends. Marciona returned to unfinished projects and continued writing and composing. He danced in a Christmas video, entered a short-film contest, performed two original songs, and participated in benefits contributing to frontline essential workers and performing artists in need.

“Having my husband and dog at home helped me cope with the isolation,” Marciona said. “A little meditation didn’t hurt either. It was also helpful connecting with friends and family and my artistic colleagues through social media, video conferences and the like. I also participated in numerous online union meetings.”

As work slowly resumes, dancers are still affected adversely, as many musical productions have been greatly scaled down. Some productions moved to other locales, where state or regional COVID safety practices weren’t as strict. But some have been lucky enough to land work here. Indeed, Marciona booked a commercial and a TV special. You might, too!

No one expected the plague to continue for so long, nor how the industry would change, as we dancers and other performers adjust to the new work standards. In the meantime, be assured that we are indeed essential workers, as we continue lifting the world’s spirits, entertaining them all.

Here is what a few people in the dance community have been up to:

CINDERA CHE: “I continued to attend my acting accountability classes. It offered a lot of emotional support and kept me grounded. I got licensed to become a financial service professional, helping families to protect and grow wealth. Once productions resumed, I worked on three TV shows and a commercial. Nothing can stop me from becoming a better version of myself. I don’t allow the outer environment to interfere with my life journey of pursuing growth and purposefulness.”

KEVIN STEA: “This is an opportunity to pursue passion projects and an ideal period to create. Dancers work more off camera in preparation than actually on a job, so we should approach it as such. We may have used this time to develop another love, idea, skill or project, or simply taken time off to observe who we are. The key is to not beat ourselves up for however we have spent our time! Besides archiving and digitally transferring all my old films, cassettes and VHS tapes, I am editing my documentary project I began several years ago. I’ve reorganized my entire home and have also watched almost everything on Netflix! There’s always something to do!”

DONNA RUSSO: “During this challenging quarantine time, I’ve been honored to work with a dance company, rehearsing for a tribute for Black History Month, and have also performed African jazz and dance to poetry. I also worked on a TV special as a wheelchair dancer. Plus, my work was submitted for four Emmy nominations.”

RESHMA GAJJAR: “I don’t ever plan on retiring as a performing artist. So, at the beginning of quarantine, when all the work stopped, I felt I might as well enjoy what retirement feels like now! I was also very aware of my privilege to be safe at home and found it my responsibility to be a light during these dark times. There is enough suffering in the world; I don’t want to add to it.”

SYBIL AZUR: “The pandemic has been a roller coaster. It’s been trying to be around my husband and kids 24/7, but we are definitely more connected and spend more quality time together. We’ve been able to explore parts of California that I’ve never been to. And I’m enjoying the ability to be in multiple places via Zoom, which has allowed me to attend meetings, workshops and calls to action that I wouldn’t have been able to be part of.”

JOANNE DIVITO: In my retirement, I created a rewarding new career, describing live theater for the blind, helping people see through my eyes. But in one afternoon, all the bookings disintegrated. Would I continue to teach my beautiful ballet classes or the tons of online Zoom instructional classes? Would I have to go into my life savings? I revisited my piles of unfinished projects, started taking ballet, jazz and Pilates classes all over the world, grew my new garden, cooked on Zoom with old buddies, wrote and read my stories to friends, and started reading terrific authors. And rather than working harder, I decided to pull back and find the joys in my life. I’m creating a future that is different, more humane, more loving, with many more choices of what’s important in my life — and I am loving it.”

RESOURCES: 

> The Actors Fund
> The SAG-AFTRA Foundation 
> Doris Duke Charitable Foundation
> Dance Resource Center
> LA Dance Chronicle
> Dancers Over 40 
> Dancers Alliance