Elinor Baker (pictured, right) is a dancer at Candoco Dance Company. She trained at Laban and has worked with with EDge Dance Company, Marc Brew and English National Opera. She tells IdeasMag why she can't work without bodies, breakfast and a good brew...
Full name/age/job title:
Elinor Baker, 30, Dancer.
What does your job involve?
Working with other dancers and choreographers to create new contemporary dance works, rehearsing and performing those works at theatres and festivals across the world, and leading a range of dance workshops and education activities alongside the tour.
Five things you couldn’t work without:
1. Bodies
My body, and the bodies of the other dancers I work with are at the very core of the work I do – we ask extraordinary things of them on a daily basis. Different bodies in all their wonderful individuality are crucial to keeping the art of dance alive and vibrant and challenging and unexpected.
2. Breakfast
I cannot imagine a day that doesn’t begin with breakfast – the bigger the better as far as I’m concerned. Without breakfast I’m distracted, lethargic, grumpy and unable to put my mind and body through the rigours of the day.
3. Positivity
I suppose some people thrive in a world of competition, rivalry and put-downs, every negative comment or rejection spurring them on to achieve bigger and better things. I’m not one of those people. In order to be open, creative, responsive and expressive in my work I need reassurance and positive feedback to keep me sane and smiling. I also love a good giggle, so am lucky to work with people who make me laugh a lot!
4. Cups of tea
Before breakfast, after breakfast, on the train, mid morning, after lunch, with a piece of cake, when I get home, after dinner, before bed, before a show, if I’m cold/stressed/aching/bored/upset/tired, a nice cup of tea just makes everything better.
5. Motivation
The mind and body are so inextricably linked and finely tuned to one another, I find that if my heart isn’t in it, my body just doesn’t move or respond in the same way. Curiosity, commitment, determination, discipline, and finding real pleasure in moving and in making movement are all key to me being a happy, healthy dancer.
Candoco Dance Company perform on the Waterfront Stage at Latitude Festival as part of Sadler’s Wells Presents… from the 13 to 15 July.
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