In Their Own Words: Joan Emery Sia on appreciating the people behind the scenes
In their own words, the artists of Ballet Manila share their thoughts and experiences on not merely surviving but flourishing in the very challenging world of dance. This series is a collection of personal anecdotes, as well as words of wisdom that can be heartwarming, funny or dramatic, but always inspiring regardless of what field one is pursuing.
My Mom… and my Dad… they run a little shop in Cagayan De Oro and she always says to always thank the people who are working behind you, not just the ones you see. She talks a lot about the people who bring in the supplies, the people who does the actual manual work.
With that in mind, I’ve always had the appreciation for the directors, the teachers, the coaches, the costume people, the designers, the production, and even the crew of the theater. Coming in the morning, I greet them, “Good morning! Thank you for mopping up the floor before I lay on it,” because they’re really there… early… and mopping the floor, arranging the wires, keeping the bars clean. I’ve always had this appreciation for people behind the scenes.
But doing all of this (production set-up for online classes and performances) is nothing compared to all the people who do it for an actual live show!
Top photo courtesy of Joan Emery Sia
Principal dancer Joan Emery Sia as one of the fairy godmothers of Princess Aurora in Lisa Macuja-Elizalde’s Sleeping Beauty (2021). Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag
