That's it! You've made a decision. You know you love this dance. You feel you are good at it. You think it is time to get out there and be a full-time professional dancer! What an awesome dream. Sounds like it is easy to do and will be a lot of fun. But is it? Well, you could simply pack a bag, throw on some make-up and approach the local Middle Eastern joint with the offer to dance for $10. The minute you dance for money, you are no longer an amateur, right?
WhoaÉbefore you go there, can we talk? I've advised many an advanced student before they have taken their first leap into professional dancing. I hope some of this advice will be helpful to you or someone you know who dreams of making a living with their dance.
First of all, I really want you to think about what you want. What do you see yourself doing with your dance? There are many ways to earn money belly dancing, but before you can earn anything in any way, you need performance experience. Have you worked with a good troupe or performed for charity benefits? Have you danced for friends and family yet? Has you experience taught you anything and improved your abilities? Are you sure your show is worth paying for? Hey, maybe that's kind of blunt, but it is true. I am going to advise you with frankness and honesty, so please put away the starry eyes and the wishful dreaming for the moment. Before you go pro, you must first realistically assess your skills. Of course, this assumes you have already reached a certain level of mastery in your dancing. If you have not yet even trained for one year, please relax and be patient. Enthusiasm is not enough. You are not yet ready to go pro. But, let's say you have studied with the best teacher(s) you can find, you have trained hard and can honestly say you are capable of advanced technique. Also, you have done some shows gratis and dealt with stage fright. Now you can sit down and assess your strengths and weaknesses.
Where do you want to perform? You can perform in many venues, including local restaurants, nightclubs, for singing telegram companies and entertainment agencies, and/or for corporate and private engagements. You can perform with a belly dance troupe that focuses on festivals and multi-cultural events. Or you can hook up with your state arts council, but that's easier said than done, as the application form alone is lengthy and particular. Perhaps there is a not-for-profit group you can get involved with, such as a theater group, dance company or Middle Eastern arts promoter. On a national scale, you can get involved with dance seminars and perform in theater venues.
What about teaching? No, I am not saying, "those who can, do and those who can't, teach". I don't believe in that philosophy at all! While it is true that not every great dancer is a great teacher, it is also true that the best teachers are great dancers. You can only teach what you, yourself, have mastered. And the sign of a great teacher is the prodigy she creates. Do you have the patience and the knowledge to explain every movement, every muscle, every feeling, and every rhythm? Do you enjoy seeing others do well? Can you take pride if another performs your choreography? Can you honestly give generously and without envy? Think about it.
Here is another thing to ask yourself. Are you interested in being an entertainer or an artist? In other words, do you want to make money or promote your dance as art? Some dancers want one or the other or both. It makes a difference how you set your goals, what kind of jobs you take and how you handle your business. If you are someone who is simply in it for the money, be honest with yourself about that fact. It does not make you less of a dancer, but also accept that those who consider themselves Ôartists' will not view you as their equal. My hope is that most dancers who go pro make money doing something they love, gain self-fulfillment and bring joy to others. Only one in a hundred or more dancers becomes an artist, yet belly dance as an art cannot survive without excellent entertainers.
So now that you have defined yourself, your skills, your needs and your desires, the next thing to do is take a long, serious look at the market. Network and meet other dancers in your area. Ask a lot of questions. What kind of shows are available? What is the average rate? What is the average length of time for shows? Who is considered the "best" in the market (because that person sets a standard)? Whatever you do, please don't undercut the market. Don't dance for free (now I'm not talking about charity work). Don't offer an extremely low rate just to get the job. Believe me that is NOT the only way to open the door and get experience. If you undercut the going rates, you will hurt yourself in the long run, as well as hurt the entire market. Look at it this way: the only dancers performing for free or almost free are the ones who are worth that price!
Once you have a good feel for the market which you are about to enter and compete in, it is time to prepare a promotional package. This could be simple or elaborate, depending on your budget and the way you like to present yourself. A business card is a must. On it consider using a clear photo, as it is eye-catching and makes it much harder to toss away later. Also, think about how much information you want to print on the card. I have found that "less is more". I don't like to give out my home address, so my card only lists my name, telephone number and website. Ah yes, the internet. A great tool to promote yourself, but be aware that most local restaurant and club owners do not hire via this method. Perhaps you could distribute flyers, or take out an ad in the yellow pages, or connect with a good talent agent.
I highly recommend drawing up a contract. While most jobs never require you to use a written contract, the mere process of creating one will make you think about what you bring to a job and what you need from a job. Even if you never use the contract, it will help you to have more clarity, which in turn leads to better negotiations.
As with any career, set some long-term goals for yourself. This will keep you on track and in focus. And as you gain experience, write it down! In time you will form a wonderful resume' which is a very professional addition to your promotional package.
Dancing for a living is not just fun and games. It is work. It may take away the fun that you feel with a hobby. It lets you experience the "un-glamorous" side of the business, the sometimes-fierce competition, the nice and not-so-nice politics, and the long hours it takes to become successful. You've got to be a bit tough when managing the business side of the dance. You've got to be smart to survive. Your talent is a must, but it is not everything. And yet, without the talent and love of the dance, you will not get out of the starting gate.
My biggest, most sincere piece of advice is this: never stop learning, appreciate your art and try to raise its standards in everything you do. Good luck for your future as a dancer and for your dance as your future!
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©2001 Jasmin Jahal