Brown Ballerina Advice: Ashanté Williams on Dancing for the Detroit Pistons, Audition Prep, and Balancing Creativity & Career

Black culture is celebrated and spread through storytelling and connection. In honor of Black History Month, we are launching a Brown Ballerina Advice Series, where we feature experienced dancers of color from various backgrounds and industries.

In each interview, dancers will offer their wisdom and insight on dance-related topics ranging from career journeys, traveling, motivation, health, and more. Be sure to follow our blog and our Instagram page to stay up-to-date on the series updates!

Our advice series kicks off with Ashanté Williams, a former professional dancer for the Detroit Pistons and the Detroit Lions. In the brief interview below, Ashanté shared insight on her experience as a professional dancer, how she prepares for auditions, and how she balances her passion for dance with her nursing career.

Dancing for the Detroit Lions and Pistons

After Ashanté graduated from Prairie View A&M University in Texas, she continued her education by enrolling in nursing school. At that time, she also danced for the Detroit Pistons, and later, The Detroit Lions.

Q: Tell me about your career journey as a professional dancer.

A: It actually was kind of a mistake. I saw the audition and my husband was like ‘You should do that.’ Dancing for the Pistons was a really good experience honestly. The coach really pushed our limits in terms of stamina, cardio, and performance.

Even though I knew I wouldn’t make a career out of it because I was in nursing school at the time, it was still something that really made me grow in more ways than I initially thought. At first, I thought ‘Okay, well I’ll just show up and dance,’ but it turned into a sisterhood.

For the Lions, that was amazing as well. It was totally different. It seemed more like a cheer-dance type of vibe, like hip-hop movements, which is fine. It’s just a personal preference of whatever you want to do.

Preparing for Auditions

Ashanté is no stranger to the process of auditions or the competitive nature of the dance industry. She started dancing at 8 years old, participating in dance competitions up until high school, where she continued her training throughout college.

Q: What are your tips for preparing for auditions? When you’ve had to audition, what type of energy do you bring?

A: I haven’t really auditioned in a while, but my dad’s voice is always in my head. He’s always like, ‘As long as you do your best, don’t worry about what other people are doing. There’s always going to be somebody better than you. There’s always going to be somebody in the room who is a different dancer than you, but you’re you and all you can do is the best you can do. All you can bring is what you have to bring to the table. If you present the best of that, you’ll be proud of yourself at the end of the day - no matter what.’

That’s how I look at all things, even when I go to rehearsals. I always try to present my best self.

If I know the type of choreography they’re looking for, I’d probably take a few classes here and there just to kind of spruce up my skills a little bit, but really you don’t know what they’re gonna throw at you, so just stay ready, stay positive, and just really try to prepare your body so you can go in there and say ‘Okay, I did my absolute best. It couldn’t have gone any better for me, and that’s okay.’

There are lots and lots and lots of opportunities. Sometimes, you probably did kill it and they probably did want to go with you, but production is production, and if they’re looking for somebody who is 5’2” and caramel-skinned, it doesn’t matter what you go in there and do. They’re looking for a specific type of person sometimes, so that’s always something to keep in mind. Don’t get down on yourself even if it’s your fiftieth audition in a row.

The judges are usually always open and you can ask, ‘Hey what can I improve on for next time? What exactly are you looking for?’ Then you can go back to the drawing board and be ready for the next time that they have an audition. You’ll know what they’re looking for and what to bring.

Balancing a Career & Dance

Today, Ashanté is a nurse in Warren, MI. According to a New York Times record of COVID-19 statistics in the U.S., Michigan is currently one of the country’s top 15 states with the highest Coronavirus rates. The demand for nurses on the job is extremely high, but Ashanté still makes time for dancing.

Q: Are you still dancing in any way?

A: I dance with Intertwine Movement Collective, which is a contemporary dance company, owned by Zandria Lucas. She has one of those minds where her choreography is always mind-blowing and interesting. It’s interesting to the audience and interesting to perform. Contemporary is that kind of style where your body is moving into shapes that are not necessarily normal. Her choreography pushes the limits of that, so I absolutely love dancing with her.

Q: What is the relationship between your work life and your hobbies? How do you maintain both? Do you have any advice for dancers who have demanding careers but still have hobbies they’re trying to pursue?

A: It does get difficult at times. I’m able to work a job where I can make my schedule, so most of the time I can get the days off where I need to be off for rehearsals and performances. It’s one of those things where if you really want to do it just make time for it where you can. You just have to find that balance.

I love my job; I enjoy my job, but my job doesn’t do for me what dance does for me. It’s not the same outlet; it’s totally different work. You have to commit to making that time. Don’t sell yourself short saying, ‘Oh, I have to do this, I have to do that,’ because you don’t want to look back and say ‘Aw, I wish I would’ve made the time to do this.’

Q: Do you have days where you’re too tired to work and dance?

A: Sometimes I work from 7:00 PM to 7:30 AM, and then I have rehearsal at 3:00 PM. I’m a little tired when I get there, but once I start moving around, and the blood gets to flowing, and I’m around people with great energy and good vibes, it just kind of goes away.

Q: Finding that balance is important, especially since many people in different careers think they have to choose between creativity and work-life.

A: You don’t have to and you absolutely should not. It’s times where I’m like, I haven’t danced in a while, and I know that that’s what’s missing from my life. Even if I go do a Zumba class or something, I have to get moving. It’s not a choice anymore.

Along with her nursing career, Ashanté is the owner of Pure Orchid Aesthetics, an organic skincare company specializing in homemade soaps made with pure, nourishing ingredients. To learn more about Ashanté, connect with her on Instagram!