I was dancing in the ensemble of my first Broadway show when I heard the phrase. “Everyone is replaceable.” It struck me like the bolt of projected lightning on the upstage scrim. I’m not special.

Decades later, I realize this is a lie.

At the time, though, I mentally chewed on this piece of information as I finished my pin curls and headed to the wig room. It’s true. If I broke my leg, they could just hire someone else, teach them the show, and nobody would know the difference. What a defeating thought. But, I told myself, it’s still true.

Now, I have a very different opinion on the idea that everyone is replaceable. My opinion is rooted in fact, it’s backed up by my master’s degree in business, and it definitely wasn’t uttered by a jealous, hungry, rage-filled aging chorine.

Here’s what I believe to be the truth: Yes, everyone can be replaced in their position. But everyone is not replaceable.

The decision to attend college for dance is incredibly individualized, and not necessarily right for every dancer. For dancers training pre-professionally, it’s common to forgo college and head straight to a professional career. Some dancers decide to pursue a degree in a completely different field while dancing professionally. But for many, a college dance degree can serve as an essential stepping stone on the way to your career goals.

When people think of a college dance degree, they’re most likely picturing a performance track (that’s all I knew about when I was in high school!). But did you know there are multiple concentrations you can focus on, depending on your career goals? Today, we’re going to break down four of the most common!

I think any dancer who has retired from the stage can resonate with the feeling of loss that comes with leaving behind your former life, and with that your community. For any dancer currently going through this, here are three resources I highly recommend to help ease the transition: