The Ballet Dancing Profession: A Career Transition Model

Abstract

What type of emotional transition is experienced by professional dancers who face the end of their career? What does this journey imply? This article discusses the transition experiences of two case studies out of a total sample of fourteen (N=14) international professional ballet dancers who left their careers between the ages of 21 and 49 years. By adopting tenets of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis and Grounded Theory, the analysis of semi-structured interviews is presented as evidence of the discussion. The article raises questions about the theoretical implications behind the concept of retirement and helps to gain an understanding of some of the intricate and hidden issues involved in what seems to be quite a complex area of psychological and social enquiry. It attempts to nurture different thoughts on the subjects of transitions, re-training, re-employment and their relation to career change development and lifelong learning.