The Dancer-Actor Balance: Alexandra Chaves
For this month’s Story Bloom, we talked to the inspiring Alexandra Chaves about how she is Finding Balance as a Dancer and Actor. Originally from Cambridge, Ontario, Alexandra grew up as a competitive dancer who had an innate passion for storytelling and performing. She is most known for her role as Piper on the hit Family Channel television series The Next Step. Since joining the show as a main cast member in 2015, Alexandra has danced across TV screens and international stages alike while touring Australia, Ireland, the United Kingdom with the show. She is a strong role model for youth who radiates positivity through her social media advocacy and multi-faceted career. We are honoured to open this conversation with Alexandra as she shares how she transitioned into acting, as well her message to young dancers looking to follow in her footsteps. Read her moving words below.
Photo by © Temple Dance VII Productions Limited. All Rights Reserved
You started your television career in 2016 as Piper on the Family Channel TV series The Next Step. Share a bit about your experience on the show.
I have always loved portraying emotion as a dancer. When I had to take time off dance due to a health condition at age twelve, I tried acting classes to fill the void. I then fell in love with storytelling through acting! Once I was able to healthily return to dance training, I almost immediately received an audition for The Next Step Season 3. I vividly remember falling out of my turns with a shocked Isaac Lupien (Eldon on The Next Step) looking back at me. I did not get a callback and left disappointed. A year of training later I was invited to audition for Season 4. After a strenuous audition process that involved choreography, improvisation, and acting, I anxiously waited for nearly 2 months before receiving an email saying that I had booked a role! The Next Step was my first television appearance. I originally assumed I had a small part and would only be on set for a few days. Amy Wright, The Next Step’s amazing choreographer and casting director, told me at my first rehearsal that I would have to move to Toronto for the entire four months of filming as a main cast member. Within a few days, I went from nervously anticipating the first day of high school to packing my bags to move to Toronto! I chose to pursue online high school for the entirety of filming to ensure I could honour my education. I returned for the second semester of Grade 9, which ended with me studying for exams while also getting ready for Season 5 of The Next Step. I was juggling an entire course load of school while driving back and forth to Toronto for auditions and pre-production for the show. I think that it was the busiest time of my life!
How do you balance both the acting and dancing aspects of your career?
Being an actor and dancer means balancing dance with acting training, auditions, and working on set. Growing up a competitive dancer, I quickly learned the importance of time management skills to ensure that all my goals could be achieved. Colour-coded calendars, time-blocking, and alerts for nearly everything have kept my schedule in check. The structure of it all can often leave me feeling burnt out. Although it has taken some time, I have come to recognize the importance of finding a balance in my schedule. I honed in on self-care while filming Season 7 of The Next Step. I prioritized sleep, nutrition (FUEL and LISTEN to your body!), and mindfulness. I also organize meditation and breath work into my routine. These skills help you connect with your body which ultimately benefits your performance. I have found many dancers and actors alike to have such high expectations of themselves that it becomes difficult to appreciate all that we have accomplished. Once I recognized this in myself, I started journaling regularly to reflect on the progress I have made, whether it be big or small. I have found this particularly useful during the pandemic. Progress may look different right now, but this doesn’t mean it’s any less valuable.
Being an actor means managing multiple professional relationships. How did you create a strong relationship with your agent?
Strong relationships in the film industry are vital for trust and understanding. The friendships I have made in the industry allow me to feel free, creative, and more comfortable on set. Finding an agent that is supportive and excited about you is essential. I always keep up a regular correspondence with my agents and update them on my training. I have also learned that it is always better to ask questions than to be unsure about something. Stay curious, as agents are always loaded with the knowledge to help navigate your career.
What are some of the biggest things you’ve learned after entering the professional dance and acting worlds?
Originally, I was fixed on the idea of perfectionism as the ultimate goal of dancing and acting. I later realized how unrealistic this is. Imperfection is extremely valuable! It allows you to find what is unique in your performance and interpretations, as well as teach you to redefine success. This ties into another learning curve I have realized in the world of performing arts; the power in confidently embracing what is authentically you. This is far more valuable than “trying” to be someone else or what you think others expect of you. I’m still working on this aspect myself, as the pressure of social media and societal expectations can be overwhelming. We have to trust that our unique interpretations of our art, whether through characters, scripts, or choreography, will take us to where we are meant to go! I have also learned that the structure of the industry is not to feel like you are competing against a category of other people. The only goal is to constantly strive for improvement within yourself. This mindset shift is much more sustainable for a career in the arts.
What advice can you give to any young dancers wanting to transition into acting or follow a similar career path as you?
I encourage you to challenge yourself in any way that will help you grow as a performer. My most notable progress has come from a place of discomfort - this is where you learn new things and improve your craft. For example, a younger Alexandra was extremely nervous about registering for an acting class with more advanced and older actors. That class ended up being such a motivating atmosphere that lead to the realization that I wanted to pursue acting as a career! I also encourage young dancers to take advantage of the online resources available, especially during this unprecedented time. Whether it be finding an online dance class or getting inspired by movie scenes on Youtube, exposing yourself to unique learning opportunities is more accessible than ever right now. Being open to collaboration as a professional is one of the greatest skills a performer can have, and it keeps me excited for every new opportunity that comes my way. When filming the Christmas Special for The Next Step, I made sure to communicate with the director to really understand their vision. Nurturing a mindset of growth can highlight your eagerness to share ideas and learn from mistakes, which makes people want to work with you!
To young dancers: strive for your full potential, but remember to enjoy where you are now. I try to remind myself regularly why I am pursuing my goals and why I started in the first place. In the end, I just want to tell stories and perform. I trust that my heart and hard work (with adequate recovery, of course) will lead me to where I am meant to be. I have been very fortunate to have supportive family and friends that have helped me stay grounded and realize my full potential. This is an ongoing journey... dive into it and have fun!
For more inspiration from Alexandra, find her on Instagram @alexandrachaves or on her website.
