Thread: Putting together a show. Advice? Suggestions?

Okay, so here is the scoop: I have decided that I am going to put on a belly dance stage show for my next birthday. That's in May. I have chosen a theme - Rumi poems - but plan on using music from all eras and regions of ME dance. Yes, including a Persian folk inspired (or authentic, it's still in the works) piece.

Besides 6 - 8 dancers who will be willing to dedicate a couple of days a week for rehearsals and performances over the next 6 months, any suggestions / advice from those who have done this before? And yes, i am looking for an actual theatre to put this on.

Oh, and if you have a favorite Rumi poem which you feel should be memorialized, feel free!

{{{HUGS}}}

Oh, an FYI - we are having connectivity issues at home. The joy of an old house and wet weather. So if I am spotty at responding, don't take it personally. Starbucks was already my friend. Now it's home! LOL!

{{{HUGS}}}

Sounds like a fabulous show concept.

I recommend that you figure out your budget early. Make a list of your expenses (including what you are going to pay yourself) and figure out how many warm bodies it will take to make it all happen.

If you want some advice from other belly event organizers, you might also want to request to join the Professional Belly Dance Promoters Facebook group.

Thanks for responding, Samira. I'll check out the facebook group!

I have a basic budget and am looking for grants. I also have a basic outline for the show, although it is open for adjustment. I am contacting my friends in th emusic industry to see if they'll help me with things like contacting music publishers to get licensing agreements - want to pay the musicians - and hopefully the dancers! I know, what a concept!

More ideas, input, cautionary tales?

{{{HUGS}}}

Do you have a venue in mind?

Venue - yes. There are three different theatres here in LA which are AFTRA small house theatres. Which means that there are under 100 seats and that you don't have to be AFTRA members or pay AFTRA dues. It's a big deal here in LA, and also shows that I am a Union baby with a theatre background! I have the basic pricing from all of them and according to their calendars, they are all free that weekend. That, of course, is going to be the biggest line item! Although, while writing this, I just thought of another venue where I performed at a fund raiser several years ago. I'll have to contact them and see if they are open to renting out the theatre.

{{{HUGS}}}

You mentioned you're looking at grants. Have you seen this one? Prospective Applicants

This year's round includes "theater", and next year's round includes dance specifically, but maybe you could 'spin' it because it's a theatrical production... ?

Sounds fantastic. When you have the digital flyer, please email it to me and I'll put it in my newsletter.

One of my favorite Rumi poems:

Paradise, they say,
Will be perfect!
With lots of clear white wine
And all the beautiful dancers!

We hold on to times like this, then,
Since this is how it's going to be.

And by Hafiz:

Every child has known God,
Not the God of names,
Not the God of don’ts,
Not the God who ever does anything weird,
But the God who knows only 4 words.
And keeps repeating them, saying:
“Come Dance with Me, come dance.”

On my website I have lots of poetry by Rumi and Hafiz here: Poetry of Rumi and Hafiz

Originally Posted by dunyah

One of my favorite Rumi poems:

Paradise, they say,
Will be perfect!
With lots of clear white wine
And all the beautiful dancers!

We hold on to times like this, then,
Since this is how it's going to be.

And by Hafiz:

Every child has known God,
Not the God of names,
Not the God of don’ts,
Not the God who ever does anything weird,
But the God who knows only 4 words.
And keeps repeating them, saying:
“Come Dance with Me, come dance.”

On my website I have lots of poetry by Rumi and Hafiz here: Poetry of Rumi and Hafiz

Dunyah, thanks for posting! I just checked this thread, and those words did more for me than my morning coffee today...

I've been thinking lately, well it takes me a while to figure things out, but after decades of struggling with the PR/organizational aspects of Putting On A Show, ditto art shows, think about getting professional help with this.

I can't tell you how many times I've fallen on my nose in terms of getting a big enough house, or enough people to come to a gallery/art show opening.

The show is good, the art is good, all is well, except nobody is there except all two of my friends and my husband.

This is bad.