O TRABALHO DOS BAILARINOS PROFISSIONAIS DE UMA COMPANHIA DE DANÇA CONTEMPORÂNEA uma perspectiva psicodinâmica

Abstract

This is a descriptive-exploratory case study with the general aim of investigating the work context of professionals of a contemporary dance company in the state of Goias, based on the speech of the dancers. The specific objectives of the study are to: a) understand the work context of professional dancers of a contemporary dance company and collaborate with the studies in parallel fields; b) elaborate ways to intervene in the work context of the dancers in order to reduce their life experiences of pleasure. The study approaches the following categories of psychodynamics of work: work organization, work conditions and work relations, which make up just one category of analysis, called the administration of the organization. The other categories refer to the life experiences of pleasure and suffering as well as strategies of defense against suffering. Semi-structured individual interviews were used with all ten dancers in the company as well as a collective interview with 8 participants. After the literal transcription, the interviews were analyzed according to the discourse analysis proposed by Lane (1985). The study concerning the work context of professional dancers is a pioneer in the state of Goias. We discovered that the administration of the organization includes characteristics of work organization, life experiences of suffering and defense strategies against the suffering which is characteristic of workers in companies with similar administrative organization, the few hierarchy levels and the interpersonal relationships, considered familiar are informal and allow for a better division of labor, greater cooperation among the dancers, commitment too the learning and the performance of the dance techniques. The dancers said that they did not feel dissatisfied with the repetitive work for they movements in the classes and rehearsals in order to learn and develop technique, so that they can be able to better express themselves and communicate an intention. However, they pointed out that the restricted emphasis on the technique should not happen, for the artistic work becomes limited, creating life experiences of suffering that become worse with the little freedom that they have in the conception of the choreographies. The complexity of the movements presents a constant risk of work accidents and the incidence of injuries is considered to be high. The limitations refer to the motivation toward the work in an attempt to overcome their own limitations. The distance from the family, the intense routine of presentations, the rhythm of the work faster and faster, causes physical tiredness, emotional wear, and incapacity to free themselves from about work during their time off. In these cases anxiety predominates instead of the state of suffering. The subjects reported that they perceived a demand for exclusive dedication to the work as a dancer, but complain about feeling overloaded, for they lack time for other activities and to dedicate to their personal plans for life. They still face prejudice in relation to the work of a dancer, little recognizes as a profession. Especially the men because the work is considered feminine. The defensive strategies used are varied, such as the denial and/or rationalization of the pains and unfavorable physical conditions. They point out the need, even if temporary, to get away from the work environment. There is solidarity among the dancers to obtain rehabilitation; rest injury muscles; save energy in rehearsals; invest in treatments, such as physical therapy and shiatsu. Each one searches for development of his body consciousness; develops patience, that is, waits the moment of maturing of the work to arrive with the development of the activities. Criticism is verbalized in a mild form in order to lessen the future suffering when they will have to stop dancing due to the limitations of the body. Even so, the practice of a profession that involves art is related to the life history of the dancers and is considered a privilege, reason to be proud, characterized by an intense life experience of pleasure. The dancers state that they work with special content significant, due to the possibility of visualization beauty, of awakening consciences, promoting an education for life, of feeling more intelligent and capable, and developing self-knowledge. They are on the stage in these conditions, and they receive recognition from the public and this is considered to be gratifying. The results show that the differentiation the work of the dancer can bring greater life experiences of pleasure with compensate for the life experiences of suffering and anxiety.