Thread: Moral support needed for tough 'Troupe Director' moment!

A little background:

My student troupe is a no-cut repertory group. We are a tightknit group for the most part and enjoy each other's company outside of class situations as well as dancing together.

About a year ago, we started finding ourselves 'in demand' to do public gigs. One thing led to another and we were being asked to dance all over town, though mostly for publicity for the studio or small stipends.

Last Spring I started feeling like we were about to outgrow our britches. My group is made up of women of all ages, sizes, and levels of natural ability. That's how we like it, I have no interest in kicking out members or excluding people. We had a meeting, and I said let's reign it in, only dance at venues where it's OK that we're a student group and not a pro troupe.

One or two members have said they'd enjoy being part of a more selective pro troupe, but there just isn't enough real pro work around here to make that more than an ego exercise. I offer solo opportunities at student shows and some public shows for people who are capable of truly excelling to do so.

It was decided that on occasion, when high-profile gigs arise, I would selectively hand-pick some dancers, or announce the opportunity and let those who think they're up to the task discuss it with me outside of classtime.

Well, I've just been offered a plum group gig that's perfect for our repertoire. So the rubber is meeting the road.

I don't like the idea of having a 'secret' gig that only some dancers know about, so I think I will announce it to the group and invite those who think they're ready to participate to contact me. But I have to be prepared to say no if someone contacts me who I don't think is ready for this.

I know it's my job, I know I can do it. But I'm dreading it anyway and seriously hoping they'll self-sort accurately.

Any advice or words of wisdom are welcome.

I would offer to the entire group to audition. This way they all get a fair shake and those who don't make the select troupe will have something to strive for.

I would outline everything you are looking for in the members of the select troupe ahead of time and give everyone an opportunity to show what they've got (not that you wouldn't already know but still.)

Prepare for some hurt feelings, but also prepare to see some of your students really step it up.

Oh, thats EXCELLENT advice!

Also offers me a chance to make it VERY clear that I'm not choosing favorites, or favoring youth or beauty, but looking for some specfic polished dance skills (open chest, graceful hands, etc.)

No words of wisdom but here's a big hug for you because it's probably going to be dramatic.

I don't know if this would work, but if you have an interested student who just isn't quite ready, is there any way you could choreograph a fairly easy character piece for her? My old troupe had a lady with health problems that limited her actual dance ability, but she could really ham it up when we stuck her in a fellahi dress with a water jug on her shoulder.

Just a thought...

Originally Posted by aziyade

No words of wisdom but here's a big hug for you because it's probably going to be dramatic.

I don't know if this would work, but if you have an interested student who just isn't quite ready, is there any way you could choreograph a fairly easy character piece for her? My old troupe had a lady with health problems that limited her actual dance ability, but she could really ham it up when we stuck her in a fellahi dress with a water jug on her shoulder.

Just a thought...

This is also a good idea. In fact, I was just thinking that I may be able to include everyone in the gig, but in various capacities.

I may audition for each specific dance, and some dancers will perform more than others or have solo spots, but there will be several folk dances and some spots for really simple drumming as well.

I think I'll be happier -- and they will too -- if I can find a way to include everyone, but according to her ability (and, as I keep stressing to them all, level of commitment up to this point, which is absolutely reflected in their current ability.)

I would announce the rehearsal schedule with the audition - I would imagine it to be quite a bit more rigorous than that required of a normal student-level performance, so some self-selecting might happen there, as well.

Originally Posted by CFerhat

I would announce the rehearsal schedule with the audition - I would imagine it to be quite a bit more rigorous than that required of a normal student-level performance, so some self-selecting might happen there, as well.

That's what I was going to add, let them know up front what your expectations are as far as time commitments, costume requirements, etc. That should help with the self-selection process.

I like your idea of including everyone in some capacity, the group energy and cohesiveness that you all project during a show is important, too. When members know each other well and are having fun, the group projects great energy.

Good luck! We Bhuzzers have faith in you to handle this well, as you always seem to do!

MMmmmm, yes. Rehearsal schedule, good idea. Check!

I'd suggest getting a video camera involved in the auditioning process. Unless you have a Teflon ego, watching yourself perform on film is a surefire way to put your lack of greatness in perspective. Since you're planning on making your decisions on skill alone (and not the stickier situation of personality conflicts), I would think this could help your troupe "self-sort" a little more effectively.

I would prepare a checklist of criteria, and select people based on how well they meet that criteria. First, decide how many people you need. Then let everyone know the criteria. Some heading for criteria could be things like

1. Technical ability
2. Ability to work in a team
3. Can turn up to X rehearsals on X days
4. Professionalism (this troupe will reflect on your school)
5. Fit with rest of troupe (if you have 5 women who are 5 foot tall, and one who is 6 foot tall, that might not work for example)

Originally Posted by _Tanya_

I would offer to the entire group to audition. This way they all get a fair shake and those who don't make the select troupe will have something to strive for.

I would outline everything you are looking for in the members of the select troupe ahead of time and give everyone an opportunity to show what they've got (not that you wouldn't already know but still.)

Prepare for some hurt feelings, but also prepare to see some of your students really step it up.

This is a great idea for your situation. I only have student dancers, but I can see where you could end up in a tough spot! I am sending moral support "brainwaves" to you!!

When I read your post, I immediately thought of one of my student dancers,
who although very sweet, and enjoys the class, has absolutely no sense of rhythm and not much more "dance coordination" shall we say.
But she is an absolutely brilliant woman, and has a level of self-confidence
that I have never encountered in my life! Hence, it is that self confidence I believe that enables her to not realize she can't dance! SHe has the "Teflon ego"
I am serious! She is always talking about how well she's got a certain dance,
or how good her shimmies are now, etc.
She really doesn't realize it.........
and I had visions of something like that occuring in your process!

You'll do swell, Lauren!

I've sent you a PM.

Deb

Originally Posted by ANISAHDANCER

When I read your post, I immediately thought of one of my student dancers,
who although very sweet, and enjoys the class, has absolutely no sense of rhythm and not much more "dance coordination" shall we say.
But she is an absolutely brilliant woman, and has a level of self-confidence
that I have never encountered in my life! Hence, it is that self confidence I believe that enables her to not realize she can't dance! SHe has the "Teflon ego"
I am serious! She is always talking about how well she's got a certain dance,
or how good her shimmies are now, etc.
She really doesn't realize it.........
and I had visions of something like that occuring in your process!

Alas, who doesn't pity the student who hasn't had the privilege of being in a class with a master dancer like this? Personally, I'm always partial to when they hijack the class to demonstrate something that has nothing to do with what we're working on, although it's nice when they take the initiative to teach another student how to do something incorrectly, too.

Seriously, you can't do much with people like these, and there's nothing wrong with letting them do their thing at informal haflas and student recitals, but when it comes to presenting a professional image, reality needs to take priority. One advantage to videotaping the audition is that if you have film of the group all dancing at once, you have the option of stopping it and pointing out that she's not doing the choreography the same way as everybody else, she has her arms out of position, whatever. The camera never lies.

Lauren, how do you think it would work out if you let the troupe vote on which dancers should do the gig? Could you ask everybody to vote for the two or three who should get to perform (but you can't vote for yourself)? Would that give you an answer about whom they felt deserved the positions, or would it degenerate into a popularity contest and a lot of hard feelings?

Right now I'm pretty happy with the idea of including everyone, to various extents.

My group, luckily, consists of people who are mostly self-aware. *thank goodness!* The dancers mostly seem aware of their strengths and weaknesses, and enjoy being included in shows even if it means they're only in one or two group numbers while some other dancers are in more and doing solos.

So I'll handpick the soloists and assign dancers to spots in the various group numbers, based on my observations during a sort of group audition, I think, and hope it goes well from there!

I would let people audition, and be tough but fair. I would also use the audition process as an evaluation process, and give good feedback to everyone who auditions. It'll let the group for the gig points to polish, and the dancers who will not be doing the gig a handle on what skills they need to work on to get to the more professional point.

I like the idea of including folks in different capacities. You may find their are more than you think in the troupe who don't wish to stand out... who knows.

Originally Posted by Lauren_

Right now I'm pretty happy with the idea of including everyone, to various extents.

My group, luckily, consists of people who are mostly self-aware. *thank goodness!* The dancers mostly seem aware of their strengths and weaknesses, and enjoy being included in shows even if it means they're only in one or two group numbers while some other dancers are in more and doing solos.

So I'll handpick the soloists and assign dancers to spots in the various group numbers, based on my observations during a sort of group audition, I think, and hope it goes well from there!

That sounds great! And since it seems you already have a good "base" to work with, this task may sort itself out more than you are expecting it to.

All the best to you---I think you'll end up with a great group!

Originally Posted by Lauren_

Right now I'm pretty happy with the idea of including everyone, to various extents.

My group, luckily, consists of people who are mostly self-aware. *thank goodness!* The dancers mostly seem aware of their strengths and weaknesses, and enjoy being included in shows even if it means they're only in one or two group numbers while some other dancers are in more and doing solos.

So I'll handpick the soloists and assign dancers to spots in the various group numbers, based on my observations during a sort of group audition, I think, and hope it goes well from there!

Fantastic idea!! Even with all the awareness and good intentions there still may be a hurt ego or two, but such is life. Never a fun position to be in is it? I have had to kick people out of the troupe and that wasn't fun, but that is part of the role of the leader isn't it?

Good-luck! I am sure you are a good leader and will handle it all with grace and professionalism.

I don't envy you the process but I'm sure you'll find a way to make it fair and enjoyable for all, Lauren.

It sounds like you've gotten some good advice. I would use this opportunity to set a precedent for how you will handle similar situations going forward. Work in some teachable moments for your dancers about the difference between student performer and emerging professional, both in terms of dance quality and the other things that go along with representing professional belly dance at paying or high profile gigs.
You may loose some people who have fragile or over-inflated egos. This sucks, but in the long run you will be establishing a respectable and solid precedent for how you book the group for events. If dancers really want to get booked, they will use the audition process as a way to improve their skill set.