Meet Thalia Vivens

We recently connected with Thalia Vivens and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Thalia, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?

When it comes to being the outlier in the room in terms of representation, perspective is such a critical factor in how you take up space. Truly, this can be for better or worse, and I will admit that I have been in both perspectives. Initially, I saw my differences as an indicator that dance is not for me. Growing up in a strict ballet environment showed me that there are countless factors at play. This was an art form for elites. When we think of ballet, we think of soft hues, purity, and, alas, a universal, Eurocentric aesthetic. Being able to learn the art form is expensive. Who can afford it? Who has the advantages in access, appearance, and physique? You do not think of a short, curvy, mixed girl.

This all came to a head at a point in time when I couldn’t pinpoint all that I was experiencing verbatim, but I felt the difference in experience. When you are younger, you piece this together and internalize it. I considered myself to be the problem because of my weight, my genetics, and being a slow learner. As I grew up in this environment and advanced, I continued to hold those perspectives and allowed them to develop into toxic and disordered patterns within.

While I did use the pandemic to recover and take time off, I allowed myself to grow into a mature outlook, returning to my art on my own terms. Truly, this was a testament to perspective being a key factor in how I take up space when being an outlier. No matter where I go, I am, more than likely, the only individual that has my build. While I credit my previous studio experience with giving me quite some issues, I will always credit it for giving me the knowledge and technical abilities that I have and have developed over the decade in which I was there. While I may be unconventional, I am still teachable, I am technically capable, and I am passionate. Truly, I feel that dancing is a learned nature, but I know that I am called to it. Finding power in my identity has made this difficult journey in this difficult career all the more exciting and empowering.

I believe that I definitely carry myself in a way that others cannot ignore, even without realizing it. In dance, we are constantly putting on a show for others, so being theatrical and even allowing genuine curiosity to take the forefront shows All of this was learned from my own experience and choice, and I think that truly factors into how I show up and show out. I do consider myself as being the representation that I have always needed as a dancer, and how my younger self would have had a much better upbringing in this industry.

As I said before, perspective shifts are everything, and they can even happen subconsciously. So many dancers quit over toxicity and the plentiful factors at play. I know now that I wasn’t going to let go of this career, this vision, and this drive without trying. I remind myself that no one else will make this happen for me but me. You can own your outlier qualities and cave, or keep going in spite of them. It’s a matter of choice.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

From the jump, I’ve always known that I was a mover. I didn’t, however, have a clue as to how many ways I would embody that. Of course, I’m a dancer. I always have been, and I always will be. While I am known for ballet, I do consider myself to be a multifaceted creative as I feel that I have a diverse background and a diverse set of creative interests that I want to pursue.

I feel that dance has been an in-dismissable part of my life for so long, and even through the rough parts of my journey and time away, I always had visions and yearning. Of course, I am not a conventional dancer, given my overall existence, but there is nothing that I want more. I feel that discovering the value in taking up space in this industry, despite my previous experience and all it took to get me here, has been so rewarding and enjoyable. All I can hope for is that all of this leads to aspiring dancers daring to go for what they want and attain a professional career no matter their circumstances, appearance, and so forth.

Outside of dancing, I created a blog space for me to discuss topics that I hold near and dear in the arts. The vast majority of pieces that I publish touch on diversity in dance and advocating for marginalized bodies, new stories, breaking stereotypes, fair pay, and beyond.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Three qualities that I believe helped me through my journey are taking initiative, resilience, and passion.

The ability to go after what I truly loved was something that only I could muster. No one was in my ear telling me to come back to dance. It’s so important to know that you are the only one with your specific vision for your highest self, and you owe it to yourself to make it happen. If you’re surrounded by an environment that isn’t conducive to that future, then you need to do what you can to get there, no matter who you may disappoint. Truly, no one will make this a reality except for you. I knew that I deserved to live a life that I enjoyed, so I went the route I did with drive.

Resilience is an attribute that anyone in dance would need. We are worked, criticized, and pushed to the limit and then some. What we do is hard, and already existing outside of the standard makes it even harder. To have my body working in unnatural ways, then factoring in that nothing about me is aesthetically fitting for this industry, you need to develop a resilient perspective to move despite the difficulty. Anyone could have been knocked down and stayed down, but I wholeheartedly believe that I could be the one to be a part of revolutionizing the industry. While this ruffles feathers, I learned that it’s all worth it when doing something for my younger self and countless others.

Finally, passion takes the reigns every time. It’s as if this was a vision divinely planted. I knew that this was the calling, the career, for me when I couldn’t go without visualizing choreography, doing improv, and lighting up with yearning whenever I thought of dance classes and performing. Passion is something that you know when you know, and that cannot be dictated by others. Whenever you feel called to something, I wholeheartedly believe that you should pay attention to it. Performing is absolutely euphoric for me, barre is therapeutic, and improv is a spiritual experience.

For anyone reading, I want you to think about what matters most to you. If there is a life that you dream of for yourself, assess what that looks like. What would you do to make your industry better as a collective? What lights you up? You’ll find your spark, and nothing will ever dim it.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

Stepping back and assessing what I do, I remind myself that this is not exclusively about me. This is for the collective improvement of dance and the arts as a whole.

When I created my blog, I am grateful to say that I had the support of friends in their own respective fields. What matters most to me is creating connections with people who can help me expand and advocate for a better dance industry, hence a space where people can submit their own takes on what they wish to see.

I feel incredibly fortunate to say that this messaging has allowed me to connect with professional dancers in far more advanced positions. To have this network of like-minded, forward-thinking, knowledgeable, and reputable dancers expand would mean more than imaginable. The ability to cultivate conversations that will be held in high places and can trickle into the norm is exciting.

If anyone who wants to reach out to me, I highly encourage them to connect with me on Instagram and/or submit their takes for chats in the arts through my blog (thaliatakesthestage.blog).

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thaliatakesthestage.blog/
• Instagram: @thaliavivens