Outdoor athletes like cyclists and tennis players regularly train to deal with the heat: They learn how to help their bodies adapt to high temps and get to know the warning signs of when it’s just too much. Dancers, on the other hand, spend the vast majority of their time in climate-controlled studios and theaters. So, when you throw them on an outdoor stage in July or August, they may not be prepared for the challenges involved.
If your studio is performing in festivals and outdoor performances this summer, there’s a lot you can do to help your dancers feel less miserable in the heat—and keep them safe.
The Risks of Summertime Outdoor Performances
Both the heat and sun tire our bodies out more quickly. “And we know that fatigue can be a risk factor for injuries,” says Kathleen Davenport, MD, sports medicine physiatrist at HSS Florida, specializing in treating dancers. Heat also makes us more flexible, which puts dancers at risk of overstretching and injury, she adds.
Dehydration and electrolyte loss are also common risks, as are sunburns.
But the biggest danger is heatstroke, which can be life-threatening if not treated, Davenport says. The first signs of heat exhaustion (a less-serious precursor to heatstroke) are fatigue and cramping, which can be followed by lightheadedness, nausea, or vomiting. There might be an increased heart rate or rapid breathing. Once it’s become heatstroke, someone might start sweating profusely or stop sweating altogether, and you might see incoherent speech, fainting, or hallucinations.
At that point, it’s a medical emergency. “The most important thing is to cool a person as quickly as possible,” Davenport says. Bring them out of the heat and apply ice packs to the areas that release the most heat, like the armpits, neck, and groin. If possible, put them in an ice bath to bring down their core temperature ASAP.
How to Protect Dancers
Teachers and directors can take proactive steps to keep their dancers safe when they venture out into the heat.
Talk about heat exhaustion: Educate dancers about the dangers of heat as well as the warning signs to watch out for, so they can know when they need to take a step back.
Be strategic about timing and location: Battery Dance Festival director Jonathan Hollander advises choosing shaded locations to perform in, and if that’s not possible, to at least avoid the hottest times of day (while angling the stage so the sun doesn’t hit dancers directly in the face).
Keep dancers hydrated: “We want to make sure that we’re not just hydrating with water only, but also with electrolyte drinks,” Davenport says. This will help to replace the essential electrolytes that are being lost through sweat. She recommends looking for pure electrolyte mixes that don’t include sugar or caffeine (which could make heat exhaustion worse).
Have the right tools: Fans and ice packs can help dancers cool off backstage, Davenport says. Leah Brandon, interim director of The School at Jacob’s Pillow, also recommends having sunscreen and bug spray on hand (and having dancers bring hats and sunglasses for rehearsals). Hollander adds that Battery Dance Festival offers shaded changing tents so performers can be out of the sun when they’re not dancing.
Use white marley: If you have control over the surface of the stage, choose white marley floors, which will absorb less heat than black ones, Hollander points out. This is especially important if any dancers are performing in bare feet.
Adjust the warm-up and cooldown: If they don’t have an air-conditioned environment to warm up in, Davenport recommends dancers focus less on flexibility stretches and getting the heart rate up, and more on simply activating the right muscles. “Maybe you do some band work, but use a lighter band just to make those muscles engaged,” she says. She also suggests an extra-aggressive cooldown, using fans or ice packs to actively bring the body temp down.
Consider the costumes: Make sure all costumes are appropriate for the heat. Modify them, if necessary, “especially if the costumes were originally designed for an air-conditioned theater and don’t breathe or are heavy,” Hollander says.
Limit outdoor rehearsals: If you need to run the piece the day of the performance, do that indoors if possible. “Maybe when we’re doing lighting, we don’t need the whole company—we can rotate people in and out of the heat,” Davenport says. Brandon also recommends reiterating to dancers when they only need to mark rather than dance full-out, and giving them frequent breaks.
Don’t forget the outdoor beauty: Despite the challenges, there are real reasons why audiences and dancers alike love outdoor performances. “Be present, and listen to that nature around you,” Brandon says. “Remember to notice that magic, because it’s an experience that you can’t ever replicate in the theater.”
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