Thread: I'd like to start making some money...

Well, I'd like to start making some money with this hobby of mine. I posted a thread a log time ago about wanting to dance professionally and where to get business cards/take pics, etc, but my problem is that I don't even know where to start at all!!!

I've had two gigs lined up in the past, and both of them fell through. I absolutely love my "hobby" but at this stage I think I should be making some dough. I don't make enough money IRL to support my passion.

I'm lucky enough that my job gives me the opportunity to travel, so I could do gigs anywhere. I just don't even know where to find people to dance for!!!

I guess my question (if I really even have one) is: How did you get started? Where did you get your gigs in the beginning? Any help would be appreciated!

What about your teacher? Is your teacher part of a troupe?

Around here, people usually come up through a troupe. Some teachers (like me) aren't part of a troupe and don't really have restaurant gigs and parties to pass on to students. If one of my students was truly ready to perform professionally (had the skills, business personality, outgoing nature, realistic attitude & professional costuming) I'd advise her to take from one of the troupes in the area who has that to offer. That gives the teacher/troupe members/troupe director a chance to get to know you & your dancing in a low-pressure environment for a while. Everyone builds trust & comfort.

Of course, it's also possible to go it alone, but then you've really got to be running a business, advertising, promoting yourself, etc. I think it's easier not to reinvent the wheel, and at least start out by working through a troupe that already has network, referrals, website, yellow pages ads, etc etc etc.

You're right. I probably would be better off starting with a troupe. The problem with that is that I am sort of a vagabond. My job (I'm a flight attendant) has given me the opportunity to travel, but it also means I am not home much (In Boston or LA). I was asked to join a troupe down in LA. Hopefully things here at work will get better soon and I'll be able to get a set schedule. (Right now I'm on reserve, so I never know when I'll be called).

I hadn't thought of a troupe being a way to get started though. Thanks Lauren!!!

Ah, your schedule would be a problem (but still, sounds like a fun job to me!)

Take your time checking out the local troupes, they're very different in nature. Some are just loose associations of individuals who are mostly gathered together for booking purposes (might suit you best) while others spend most of their troupe time coming up with group choreographies (which would be a bad fit for you, given your goals & schedule).

Take a few classes here & there, poke around, see what looks like a good fit. It's worth putting in some time at the front end, because getting OUT of some troupes is worse than trying to leave a street gang.

I started performing with another dancer at both her restaurant gig, and as part of the multi-dancer gigs she was booked for. It was kind of like a paid internship, because I was able to learn a lot about professional gigs this way. While I was expected to pull my own weight as a performer, she always had my back in case I ran into any problems. I would say the first 6 months of my professional gigs were under her direct observation, before I booked anything on my own.

Originally Posted by Lauren_

It's worth putting in some time at the front end, because getting OUT of some troupes is worse than trying to leave a street gang.

..l;, hahaha! Lauren, you are so right!!..l;,

Ejaghana, I might have a few options for you. I'm based in Boston and I remember responding to one of your earlier posts about potential gigs in the area. First of all, I'm hosting Michael Baxter for a photo shoot here in October. If you need professional pictures done, this would be a good opportunity. You can PM me and I'll give you all the details. Second, I've started a professional troupe and I'm looking to add some dancers. (no street gangs, don't worry ;-) Again, if you're interested, PM me for details.

Originally Posted by Lauren_

Ah, It's worth putting in some time at the front end, because getting OUT of some troupes is worse than trying to leave a street gang.

If I had been drinking coffee, I would have just spit it all over my keyboard just now!

Originally Posted by aazura

Ejaghana, I might have a few options for you. I'm based in Boston and I remember responding to one of your earlier posts about potential gigs in the area. First of all, I'm hosting Michael Baxter for a photo shoot here in October. If you need professional pictures done, this would be a good opportunity. You can PM me and I'll give you all the details. Second, I've started a professional troupe and I'm looking to add some dancers. (no street gangs, don't worry ;-) Again, if you're interested, PM me for details.

I'm interested Aazura. PM'ing you now!

Originally Posted by Lauren_

It's worth putting in some time at the front end, because getting OUT of some troupes is worse than trying to leave a street gang.

Ha! This is funny... and from what I understand, so true!!!..l;,

I'm going to echo what everyone else has said - having a teacher with a network already in place is the best way to get "in."

Around here, there's a really small dance community, and if you want to break in, you'll have to be that back-up person who can come in at the last minute if a dancer is sick or if the restaurant owner suddenly wants two dancers that night. I'm doing that right now, sort of getting more exposure to performing and it really helps a lot. There might be months where i don't perform at all, and all of a sudden I've got 5 gigs for the month lined up! Do you think all the travelling will be a problem? I don't travel a whole lot for work but it's already cost me a handful of paying gigs and it kills me!

Ejaghana -

I know it was mentioned in the last thread, but you could also try dancing at the Middle East or another restaurant that is a bit more open to new additions to the roster. At the ME there are a couple of paid dancers on Sundays and Wednesdays, and then there's "open dancing" where newer dancers can perform for up to 10 minutes. It's also a great venue for interacting with the rest of the dance community; I know that when I'm looking for subs for a gig I generally won't recommend someone who I haven't seen dance before.

Originally Posted by Lilladancer

If I had been drinking coffee, I would have just spit it all over my keyboard just now!

This is why I can't drink anything at the computer while on Bhuz!!!

Originally Posted by aazura

Ejaghana, I might have a few options for you. I'm based in Boston and I remember responding to one of your earlier posts about potential gigs in the area. First of all, I'm hosting Michael Baxter for a photo shoot here in October. If you need professional pictures done, this would be a good opportunity. You can PM me and I'll give you all the details. Second, I've started a professional troupe and I'm looking to add some dancers. (no street gangs, don't worry ;-) Again, if you're interested, PM me for details.

Michael Baxter is amazing! I didn't even know he was taking pix during my show at RakWest, and the pix he sent me are gorgeous! My profile picture is one of his. And he's so nice...