I’ve been dancing since the age of 5, and I’m now 15. I do mostly technique, contemporary and jazz, and I’ve been doing hip-hop for seven years. - Audrey

I’m 20 years old, and I’ve been dancing since I was 3. I started competitions at the age of 12, and that’s when I became more serious about dance and when it began to take up a bigger place in my life. I’ve been doing technique for my entire life: ballet, jazz, contemporary, lyrical… I started doing hip-hop at 15, and then really concentrated on that. - Carelle

We’ve been dancing together in classes for four or five years. But dancing just the six of us for a competition, we did that specifically for Révolution. - Audrey

It’s my passion, and eventually I’d it to become my job. It’s a huge part of my life, and it makes me feel good. It’s a source of joy for me. - Audrey

I have a lot of performance stress and social anxiety. It’s hard to explain, but it’s a feeling you get inside. You don’t understand why it’s there or how it got there. I get physical symptoms like trembling or hot flashes. It can be like having a knot in your stomach that you don’t understand, and it’s difficult to know how to get rid of it. - Audrey

When I was 8, I was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder. Aside from when I’m dancing, I don’t like being the centre of attention. For example, when they take attendance or when I have to raise my hand in class. - Carelle

When I feel like I’m in control, it’s good stress; but in situations where I don’t feel in control, that stress turns into anxiety. If a teacher asks me a question in class, I get anxious because I feel taken by surprise. But I don’t feel anxious when I have to give an oral presentation, because I have time to practice in advance. I know it’s going to be alright. - Carelle

Dancing is the only thing that allows me to get out of my head and forget about my day-to-day worries, to think about nothing and do something good for my body. - Carelle

I don’t have as much social anxiety with dancers because I have something in common with them. I’m extremely afraid of disappointing others, my parents, myself, my coaches, my teammates, etc. By going on stage with Révolution, that thought is still there, in the corner of my mind, but because I feel free when I’m dancing, I think less about it and it doesn’t take up as much space. - Audrey

It’s difficult as a troupe to find a subject that brings you all together. Anxiety is something that many of us experience. We also wanted people at home to feel less alone and to know that it’s normal and okay to experience anxiety. - Audrey

We took the time to form a large sharing circle before the performance. Everyone was able to share their feelings about the subject. The girls knew that Audrey and I live with anxiety, so it allowed us to go into greater detail about what we experience in our daily lives. It also allowed other girls to share their experience. Being able to create around the subject was liberating. Our choreography is full of movements inspired by things we do when we’re anxious, for example tapping your head or scratching yourself. - Carelle

I feel less social anxiety with dancers because I have something in common with them. I’m extremely afraid of disappointing others, my parents, myself, my coaches, my teammates, etc.  By going on stage with Révolution, that thought is still there, in the corner of my mind, but because I feel free when I’m dancing, I think less about it and it doesn’t take up as much space. - Audrey

We were super stressed, but it didn’t become anxiety because we were in control. Before going onstage, we always took the time to breathe together, which was really important in our adventure because we were experiencing big emotions together. - Carelle

Remember that you’re not alone. Sometimes, anxiety leads you to isolate yourself, and you have the impression that no one can understand; but talking about it can really help. - Audrey

Take the time to talk about it, to a professional, a parent, someone at school, a friend, it doesn’t matter. The important thing is that you talk to someone with whom you’re comfortable. There is no benefit in keeping it inside. Asking for assistance can only help you. You live with it, you have to accept it, and above all you have to find tricks that work for you. - Carelle