Today we’d like to introduce you to Lane Henderson Joiner.
Lane, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I truly believe I was born to do this work. My mother is a dancer; choreographer; former studio owner; and founder of a local, non-profit ballet company. I’ve been dancing with her since the womb. She never forced the stage onto me but I was naturally drawn to it. I remember being in the audience for one of her ballets- at the age of three- and toddling away from my grandparents towards the stage. I didn’t want to watch- I wanted to be in the middle of it!
Dance provided a steady, emotional outlet for me during childhood. I found that dancing allowed me to be fully engaged in the present moment and I could leave my worries and burdens behind. Performing in my mom’s ballet company is where I first discovered my love for acting and storytelling. Every winter, she staged a ballet- usually inspired by classic children’s literature- and transforming into my assigned character(s) was always one of my favorite parts of the dance season. I enjoyed entertaining the audience and seeing people smile.
After spending all of my formative years on stage in various capacities (dance, piano, acting, and signing), I decided to step away from the performing arts when I started college. It was time to try something new: interior design. I couldn’t really stay away, though. I found myself drifting back to the stage when I signed up for a ballroom dance class and a set design class. Not long after graduation, I started taking ballet again for stress relief, which led to joining a dance company. That reignited my passion for the performing arts and I moved back home to devote myself to sharing the magic of the stage and screen with my community.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I think pursuing any kind of passion is always a winding path but adding the mercurial nature of the stage to the mix makes it hilly, too. Things can change in an instant in theatrical settings. The necessity of having Plans B-ZZ is something I learned early on. Being involved in the performing arts has helped me develop the skills to swerve around whatever life throws at me.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I have my fingers in many pies in the art world. Professionally, I am the owner of a performing arts school for all ages, an entertainer, interior designer, as well as the co-Artistic Director of the ballet company my mom founded. My studio offers pre-professional classes in ballet, Modern dance, tap, jazz, clogging, choreography, dance education, Heels, and line dance. We place a heavy emphasis on teaching the artistry, technique, and vocabulary of concert dance genres rather than just teaching a routine to perform. We are also committed to community collaboration with other local artists, including a chamber orchestra, community players group, and visual artists like painters and photographers. Our ballet company is going into its 50th season, which is a testament to how committed our small city is to showing up to support the arts of all kinds. My personal performance portfolio includes 33 years worth of portraying characters for stage and screen. My favorite things to do as a performer include musical theater, burlesque, and acting in YouTube series. The thing that makes me the proudest is watching students I’ve taught since they were 3 or 4 grow up to become wonderful adults. Their training in the performing arts truly prepares them for whatever they choose to pursue, even if it isn’t a career on stage. All of them are geniuses in their own right and seeing what they do with their lives always inspires me. It’s what brings me back to this work over and over again.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
I wish I had known how many different roads one can take to become a professional performing artist. So often in our society, it is made to seem like there’s only a few ways to be considered “successful” as an entertainer, and that’s just not the case. Never underestimate the power of your local arts community. Whether your participation there leads you to make an important connection who gives you a big break, or you become inspired to create some kind of initiative that ends up leaving a decades-long legacy, it’s always important to remember that you can live your dreams if you’re willing to go for it. It may not always be a clearcut path, and you may need to be the one to carve it, but there’s always a place for you.
Pricing:
- Drop-in class rates start at $20.
- Enrollment in the full season offers several flexible payment options and exclusive access to discounts.
- We also host private parties for a variety of occasions. Please contact us for pricing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.stagemakerssc.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stagemakersofnewberry
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@fiveroselane8699
