The emotional costs of performing: Interventions for the young artist

Over the last two decades, performing arts medicine has emerged as a unique subspecialty comparable to that of sports medicine. Nevertheless, psychology's role in the care of performers has lagged behind that of athletes, where special attention is given to performance enhancement, the promotion of well-being, and clinical issues in sports. This article is adapted from the author's up-coming book. The Person Behind the Mask: A Guide in Performing Arts Psychology, which covers the performer's entire career span from selection and training to occupational functioning and longevity. This information is based on research and the author's clinical work, monthly advice column in Dance Magazine, and former career with the New York City Ballet. For the purposes of the present article, excerpts are limited to problems in the young performer.