| After taking some beginning belly dance classes and | | | | other people on stage with them. Performing the |
| spending time at home working with an instructional | | | | memorized choreography or following a more |
| video, you may be wondering how to become more | | | | experienced dancer's lead in group improvisation helps |
| involved in the dance. One option may be to join a | | | | them learn how to assemble the movements learned |
| troupe. But is it right for you, and how do you go about | | | | in class together into a complete dance. It's easier to |
| it? Here's the scoop on troupes. | | | | face the inevitable bloopers when a group of friends is |
| A belly dance troupe performs as an ensemble rather | | | | at hand to offer encouragement. |
| than as a series of individual soloists. This may be | | | | Form Lasting Friendships. Many people feel some level |
| done either through presenting memorized | | | | of loneliness. If you have moved to a new city, or if an |
| choreography or through "group improvisation" | | | | event such as divorce has caused major changes to |
| (follow-the-leader). | | | | your lifestyle, joining a dance troupe may offer a |
| The three most common types of troupes include: The | | | | comfortable way to meet new people and form a |
| Student Troupe. A student troupe usually forms when | | | | new social circle. The process of rehearsing together, |
| a teacher's intermediate-level students have learned a | | | | overcoming barriers as a group, and performing |
| few different choreographs and now want to perform | | | | together can cause a close bond to form between |
| them together as a group. | | | | troupe members. |
| They adopt a name and a common costume, and | | | | Creative Outlet. In addition to the fun of performing, |
| start arranging performances at community festivals, | | | | troupe membership often presents opportunities to |
| nursing homes, and other unpaid venues. Although she | | | | design troupe costumes, help create new |
| may invite input from the members, the teacher usually | | | | choreography, design stage sets, and engage in other |
| makes the decisions regarding troupe costume, | | | | creative activity. |
| membership qualifications, rehearsal schedule, etc. | | | | If you're lucky enough to live in a community that has |
| The Social Troupe. A group of friends who know | | | | more than one belly dancing troupe, then you can |
| each other from classes or local belly dance events | | | | evaluate multiple choices and approach the one that |
| band together to form a dance company. Their | | | | seems like it would work best for you. Here's how to |
| primary aim is to spend time together enjoying their | | | | evaluate each troupe and decide which one may fit |
| common interest in the dance and getting | | | | you best. |
| performance experience. They usually have more | | | | First, watch them dance. Do you like their costumes? |
| performance experience than the student troupes, and | | | | Does their choreography appeal to you? Does their |
| may successfully get booked for some paid | | | | skill level seem like you would fit in? Would you be |
| appearances in addition to the "charity" gigs. Social | | | | proud to be seen on stage with them? If possible, try |
| troupes often run as democracies, in which decisions | | | | to catch a glimpse of how they behave offstage or |
| on costuming, rehearsal schedule, membership | | | | backstage. Do they seem to genuinely like each other, |
| qualifications, and other rules are decided by a vote or | | | | or is there an undercurrent of hostility? Do you hear a |
| consensus discussion of the members. | | | | lot of laughter as they interact with each other? Do |
| The Professional Troupe. Truly professional troupes | | | | they make catty remarks about fellow members? If |
| are rare because most people aren't willing to invest | | | | you were to join them, do you think they would be |
| the time and effort required for a professional | | | | warm toward you, or do you think they would gossip |
| presentation. Whereas student troupes and social | | | | about you behind your back? Take a few classes |
| troupes often practice only about once a week, a | | | | from the director. Do you enjoy the class? Do you like |
| professional troupe seriously rehearses 5-10 hours a | | | | the way the director teaches? How do the troupe |
| week or more to achieve that polished effect. A | | | | members treat you? How do they treat each other? |
| professional troupe is usually run by an artistic director | | | | How does your skill compare to theirs? Do you find |
| who uses an audition process to select members and | | | | what you learned in the class to be helpful to your |
| makes all decisions regarding choreography, costumes, | | | | growth as a dancer? How often does the troupe |
| etc. | | | | perform, and where? Does their performance |
| Most people join a troupe because they have | | | | schedule fit well with the frequency and the types of |
| discovered they really enjoy belly dancing as a hobby | | | | places where you would like to dance? Find out where |
| and they want to become more involved. There is | | | | it rehearses, and when. |
| rarely any real opportunity to make any money | | | | Are the rehearsal time and location convenient for |
| through belonging to either a student troupe or a social | | | | you? If there are several troupes in your community, |
| troupe. Troupe membership usually leads to the | | | | use your research to pick the top 3 that appeal to you |
| following rewards: Growth As A Dancer. When first | | | | most. Then you're ready to find out how to go about |
| learning to perform, many dancers find it easier to | | | | joining. |
| overcome their stage fright when they have several | | | | |