Studio etiquette: Space

One thing that separates experienced dancers from beginners is how they treat space in the studio.  At best, those who do not follow studio space rules irritate those who do or expect it.  At worst, they get in the way and get themselves or someone else injured.

Unfortunately, a lot of these rules ARE unspoken.  Which means that you have to figure them out as you go.  But to start you out, here's my top list of spatial etiquette tips.  

Barre 

1. Don't stand too close to other people.  Pretty obvious, right?  You should be as evenly spaced as possible.  Preferably you should be able to do a grand battement front and back with room to spare.  I think it's cute when younger dancers start a class and they're all awkwardly crowded together in some parts with nobody in others. 
2. If unavoidable:  turn to the inside diagonal when doing things that risk putting your foot upside someone's head or kicking them in the arm.  Be especially conscious during high arabesques--the person behind you likely has their arm up and in front as well.  
3. In general, those with long legs need more space.  If you are this dancer, be conscious.  If you are next to this dancer, be courteous. 
4. In the corner:  Make sure that your battements a la second will not result in two feet crashing into each other.  
5. This is probably my own pet peeve, but if you cannot go through class without constantly gripping the barre and pulling around on it, please, PLEASE do not stand on center barre unless absolutely necessary.  These barres move.  If someone pulls on it from one side, the person from the other side loses the barre. 

Center 

1. Same as barre!  Don't stand too close to other people.  
2. Stagger for mirror access--this can be difficult in really crowded classes, but in general, try not to stand directly in front of someone.  
   
3. Standing in front vs back: 
• if you don't know the combination, don't stand in the front.  
• If you're in a mixed class of professionals and non-professionals, I think it's usually that professionals have the right of way and go in the front. 
• Similarly, advanced dancers get first rights to the front.  
4. If you're in the front line, actually be in the front line.  Don't stand halfway back and crowd everybody else behind you.  Don't be shy.  It's not like the instructor can't see you anyway. There's nobody in front of you! 
5. If doing something in two groups, and you're not going, stand against the wall/barre.  Do not get in the way of the people dancing.  Do not obscure their view to the mirror.  If marking, mark next to the wall or clearly out of the way.  I repeat, do NOT get in the way of the people dancing.  This is dangerous for both you and the dancer, but you are the one that will get kicked during a grand battement to the back.  

Across the floor 

1. ...don't stand too close to other people.  :)
2.   If you can see another person without looking in the mirror, it is YOUR job to stay out of their way.  They cannot see behind them.  They do not know you are there.  If you are too close, back up.  Use a low leg.  Make space somehow.  This is the same as when you're doing choreography and the director reminds the girls in the back that they're responsible for holding the line, not the person in front--who can't see where people are behind them. 
3.  People travel differently.  If you find you have gotten too close before something like a pirouette or a big battement, readjust.  
4.  When switching groups without stopping music, NEVER retreat into traffic.  If the combination starts from the back and moves forward, continue forward and then break like the Red Sea and go out to the walls.  
• If, when doing this, you are moving up the side walls and the next group is approaching in such a way that you might get in the way moving past, stay where you are and wait until the coast is clear.  





5.  When waiting your turn, again, like center, wait on the wall.  Basically make it so that if the person runs into you, they would have also gotten themselves tangled in a piano or the barre or something else equally unpleasant.  
6. Big movers should be aware that they are big movers and be prepared to readjust or travel less.  Those that are not big movers should be aware that others may be moving more, and not stand to block them.  Particularly dangerous during grand allegro.  It's best to go with people that move approximately the same amount as you.  

General 

1.  When readjusting, be aware of the people around you.  Take a quick look around.  Don't just move backwards into people.  (This is the one exception for the responsibility of people in the back--if you're doing something not in the combination, you are now responsible for everybody.)
2.  When exiting/entering a studio during a class, do not get in the way of people that are still dancing
• Barre: Unless absolutely necessary (nosebleed, vomiting, other emergency), wait until a break between combinations or sides.  
• Center:  Hug the walls.  If you are dancing and suddenly have to exit, just get to a wall as quickly and safely as possible and then hug the wall to leave. 
3. The best tip is to set yourself up for success.  Space yourself well prior to the combination.  It's much harder to fix spacing while you're actually dancing.  

~*~

What rules have I forgotten?  Or what are your pet peeves?