How to Deal with Onstage Injuries

During a 2022 Giordano Dance Chicago performance, a company member accidentally hit then-Giordano Dance member Ryan Galloway with their shoulder. The blow deviated Galloway’s septum, making it difficult for him to breathe. “It was very much a blur,” Galloway, now a member of Dance Kaleidoscope, remembers. “As soon as it happened, my eyes filled with tears and my vision went blurry.” 

Onstage injuries can happen to even the most experienced performers. When they do, it’s important that dancers safeguard their health, balancing the “show must go on” mentality with proper care and expedient treatment.

Stop, Assess, Rest

According to Peter Callander, an orthopedic surgeon who serves as one of the on-call physicians for San Francisco Ballet, the most important first step after an onstage injury is to stop. “Don’t try to push through it, because that injury or trauma can lead to worse situations,” Callander advises.

If the injury is severe and you cannot continue performing, signal to a fellow performer or a stage manager for assistance. If you are able to move without significant pain, carefully exit the stage. Avoid putting weight on the injured area. Use the support of fellow performers or backstage staff if necessary.

Assess the situation, ideally with the aid of a medical professional. If your company or studio doesn’t have a medical professional on hand when the injury occurs, ask another staff member backstage to “make sure there is no obvious deformity of the limb,” Callander says, which could signify a break and the need for immediate medical attention. If the injury looks swollen, Callander says to use the RICE acronym (rest, ice, compression, elevation) as a guideline. Anti-inflammatory medications and the quick application of a splint or wrap might also help, depending on the injury. Then, make sure to seek a full evaluation from a medical professional as soon as possible. 

Use the Resources at Hand

It’s important to be familiar with your company’s procedures for responding to onstage injuries. While larger companies like SFB might have a robust team of care professionals ranging from physical therapists to orthopedists, smaller groups might have one dedicated care professional available during shows. Giordano Dance, for example, has a physical therapist at all home performances and every week in rehearsals. 

Callander says that even groups that don’t have medical professionals on call at each show might have relationships with local physicians, who can expedite access to treatment.

Prepare to Adapt

When a performance injury occurs, dancers and artistic staff have to adapt rapidly, perhaps changing casting or improvising around a dancer who can no longer perform. Communication is key to ensuring the show can continue smoothly while prioritizing the dancer’s health. “Part of our industry is dealing with the fragility of the human body—it’s not a machine,” says Nan Giordano, artistic director of Giordano Dance Chicago. “If something goes awry, that’s when you have to step up and be creative and clever.” 

Galloway mentions that, following his injury, the company’s technical director extended the pause between pieces so Galloway could assess the damage and decide whether he felt equipped to continue performing. The other Giordano dancers also checked in with Galloway, even helping him make his costume change for the next piece. 

In addition to physical care, it’s important to address the psychological impact of an injury. It can be distressing to stop performing and face a challenging recovery. Reach out to friends, family, and colleagues for support, and consider speaking to a mental health professional.

While injuries can be painful both physically and emotionally, Cesar Salinas, Giordano Dance’s associate artistic director, says that they can also bring about important times of growth. “There’s so much that dancers end up learning during their
injury,” Salinas says. “All of our dancers will come in with a journal of some sort to write down what happens during the day—they’re super-present. And often, thanks to the physical therapy and the mindset shift, they come back stronger dancers.” 

Workers’ Compensation

Nan Giordano, artistic director of Giordano Dance Chicago, recommends dancers and artistic staff members familiarize themselves with the process of applying for workers’ compensation. Understanding how this system works ahead of time can save you time and energy when you’re dealing with an urgent situation—and your company might be able to help you. Following a work-related injury, Giordano says, “You have to file a claim, you have to get a claim number, and we can fast-track that.”