Hello BHUZ community!

[ShaynaRaqs]

My name is Shayna. I started bellydancing around 1989. Unfortunately, I stopped. BUT I started up again about 2 years ago. My dream/goal is to become professional. So any and all help/comments/suggestions are welcome and I look forward to becoming a part of this beautiful dance community once again!
My first question is, should I seek out an agent? I had one many years ago for commercials/tv shows. Do I need one now, for bellydance?

[Tourbeau]

As far as I know, most dancers either manage their own bookings (via local and web advertising, word of mouth, and services like GigMasters) or they work though a dance studio under a mentoring teacher. As such, if you are looking to get typical dance jobs (bellygrams, restaurant work, teaching, etc.), you don't usually need an agent. If you want to get cast in the mainstream entertainment industry as a dancer, then an agent may be worthwhile. Possibly BDSS dancers have some sort of contractual obligation to work through a BDSS agent even when they are doing sideline work--I don't know the specifics of their situation.

You don't say how old you were when you started dancing in 1989. That could be a factor in how marketable you are as a professional. Age discrimination isn't fair, but it's a reality of the GP side of the business.

At any rate, if you would like more feedback on these issues, I'd suggest starting a new thread in the "Business of Belly Dance" forum. The New Member threads don't get a lot of traffic.

[ShaynaRaqs]

Thanks so much! :)

[Lesgemini_Zafirah]

Welcome, Shayna!!! :)

[luvnafctn]

Welcome, Shayna!

Are you the same Shayna that used to be on the bigbeautifulbellydancers tribe on tribe.net?

[gypsydanse]

Welcome!

[ShaynaRaqs]

Nope, not me

[Bahtya]

Welcome Shayna

[LiesaB.]

Hi from NE New York State!