The Business of Dance
By Tim Stevenson aka Mo'At, Courtney Miller Jr., Harvey Russell
3 stars
Tate Publishing, 2013; paper, 150 pages; $12.99

Conversationally pointed towards making a career in a business that's exceedingly competitive, the authors nevertheless show how important it is to recognize that there's a protocol for "paying your dues," so if you want "to make it" you put up with "the way it is." While geared toward the LA market, and filled with a lot of razz-dazz hyperbole, there's a lot of basic information that works for wherever you are located. Chapters include finding and landing an agent, staying in touch and proving you are a go-getter with talent, why it's essential to keep headshots and resumes current, preparing for and how to behave at auditions, the follow up and "wow, I got the job now what do I do" advice. Knowing how to evaluate contracts, how to get attention for call backs and even if you don't get that particular job how to market yourself for a long haul career. There's a chapter on unions and the "politics of the business" and honest appraisal of preparing yourself for when you are too old to dance professionally but too young to retire. Non-dancers might find insights, too.