Per request, I am revisiting the tattoo topic.
People are sometimes surprised when they find out I have tattoos. I guess I don’t necessarily seem like the stereotypical “tattoo type”. Maybe it’s my upbringing, the lack of tattoos in my family, or the juxtaposition with the Star of David I wear around my neck. My mom has told me that several of her friends have asked her in disbelief whether I actually have tattoos and how she feels about it.
I think my parents and I can all admit that it took us a little while to reach the general consensus we now have about my tattoos. While today it seems like there are more and more people with ink, subtle or statement, it has definitely not always been like that. They reminded me over and over again for a really long time that only certain kinds of people had ink, and the connotations of tattoos were not always the best. They also reminded me continuously of the potential “career roadblock” my tattoos could become. I’ve had my heart set on being a dancer since I was about 7, and let’s face it, not many dancers have tattoos.
At least not visible ones, which is exactly what I have.
The smaller of my 2 tattoos is located on my left wrist, which is actually very easy to cover and honestly not always noticeable from stage. But the larger of my tattoos is on the outside of my right forearm, just above my wrist, and although not the largest piece you’ve ever seen, it’s still very noticeable and dark from the shading.
I’ve had my tattoos for 3 and 2 years now, so they’ve been a part of me for a little while. In my opinion, they are every bit a part of me the same way my eyes are brown and I am 5’2″. They feel like they’re supposed to be there, and I’m very proud of them. They make me feel confident, unique, and beautiful and that is no small thing to me.
Despite being a little more mainstream, tattoos are still regarded with trepidation by most of the population, especially in Western culture where body art is not a widely accepted historical trend. In my experience, I’ve seen the questions running across peoples’ faces when they see my ink. The obligatory, “what do they mean?”, “why did she get them?”
Honestly, I encourage these people to just go ahead and ask about my tattoos. I knew how visible my tattoos were going to be when I got them, and as long as the questions are earnest and not malicious, I will be happy to do my best to answer.
So that leads me to the focus of this article: visibility.
Both of my tattoos are on my arms, so they are visible. I chose these locations on purpose. I wanted to see my tattoos, because I truly got them for my benefit and no one else’s. And on a somewhat vain note, they’re located in places I’m pretty sure are less likely to sag over time :D. Thinking about potential future ink (sorry family!) I always consider placement in addition to what I actually want to get, which means I always consider visibility and the ability to camouflage the tattoo.
Clearly, I’m not the most impulsive person, but with tattoos (which are permanent) I think that is more than okay!
Having visible ink can be problematic. Especially with dance, which is an aesthetic art form. My smallest tattoo is easy to cover, and even regularly goes unnoticed, especially on stage. My other tattoo, is much more visible, and I have invested time and money into finding the best ways to cover it when needed.
I don’t want to sugarcoat this: there is a chance you may not be hired because of tattoos if you are a dancer.
Dance is an aesthetic art form, and sometimes the hiring process comes down to a director searching for a dancer with a certain “look” – and tattoos may not be a part of that look.
In my own experience, which at the moment is all I can speak to, having ink has not hindered my current dance opportunities. That being said, I am currently working in the contemporary field. While I think this world of dance might be a little more inclusive and forgiving, it may just be that the people I am working with are a little more inclusive and forgiving.
In my opinion, experience, and training, it appears that ballet companies and directors are a little more rigid, especially with the look of female dancers. The corps de ballet in most productions are supposed to look uniform, and having visible (especially larger) tattoos could impose on that uniformity and be unappealing.
It is important to keep in mind that some people are really not fond of tattoos, not just for themselves but for other people as well. While I don’t believe you should or shouldn’t get a tattoo based solely on someone else’s opinion (or potential opinion), it may be something you weigh in your pros and cons, especially if you are a dancer.
Recently, I have not covered my tattoos for job interviews, auditions, or performances. But that was an active choice. I have been fortunate to still be cast in works and hired for jobs.
However, when I was still taking class and auditioning during school I often covered my tattoos with long sleeve leotards. After speaking with a professor prior, I had decided that I didn’t want my tattoos to influence the potential casting or hiring process. However, if I had been asked whether or not I had any visible tattoos, I definitely would’ve answered truthfully.
While at school I also used tattoo/scar/acne grade makeup to cover my tattoos for certain performances. Generally it was only the ballet performances. I felt that covering my tattoos helped maintain the integrity of the work, as well as give me the opportunity to be singled out for my technique or my performance quality, instead of my unique ink.
At the end of the day I can’t definitively tell you whether or not having a tattoo will cause you major issues in the hiring and casting process. However, I think it would be naive to say there’s no potential risk. That being said, there are ways to cover your tattoos that are tested and trusted. When deciding whether or not you want to make a permanent change to your body – such as getting a tattoo – I HIGHLY recommend making a pros/cons list, and thinking about all your current and future endeavors. Really take the time and consider your course of action. All actions have consequences, and sometimes opportunities are offered based on opinions.
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