DVD Review: Secrets of the Stage Vol II

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This has been cross-posted to Tribe / Amazon.

I was lucky to receive an advance copy of Secrets of the Stage II. As I loved Secrets of the Stage I, I was very excited to see what this next installment would bring. The DVD is segmentd into 5 sections, Michelle's introduction, Dancing in Different Venues, Tips & Audience Participation, Professionalism, and Ask the Audience. As a dancer who works often in restaurant venues, this DVD contained even more valuable information for me than the first one. It should be required viewing for dancers who are beginning to dance in restaurants, nightclubs, and "bellygrams".

The first section was on Dancing in Different Venues. First, Michelle Joyce listed her pre-gig mental checklist, what a dancer should think about when preparing to dance in a new place, including the space available, the audience's makeup, and the function of the show (art vs. entertainment, or both!). We learn for example that Persians like fast music, Americans have short attention spans, and Arabs as expected are able to listen to longer pieces of music. Michelle points out that finger cymbals are key to engaging the audience's attention in a restaurant performance, but you must balance your volume with the volume of the restaurant. Balancing, of course, is always a hit. Restaurant dancing, according to Michelle Joyce, is all about having big movements and big personality. I couldn't agree more.

Sandra's voiceover came next, shown over her performance in a stunning costume. She compares restaurant/party dancing to stage performances. She says that because the audience is not right in front of you on stage, you need to look inside more. I just wish I knew exactly how to do that. Louchia's segment added some more practical advice on stagecraft - using the space available, with different dimensions. She notes that you can't have eye contact, but in your mind, you must be having eye contact. And she said something that my teacher has always said - for the first minute, the audience is only taking in your looks and your costume. Louchia, a beautiful girl herself, was very focused on the importance of your appearance. She said it was important to have choreography for the stage, which I do not think is necessary, but the point of this DVD series is to learn what other dancers think - not to take it as gospel. It is good to know that both Bahaia and Zaheea are improvisational dancers, and they appear no less prepared for the stage.

to be continued

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The longest section of the DVD covered audience participation and tips, and the commentary was voiced over a series of video clips from live performance experiences, from restaurants to private parties. I myself learned to dance in restaurants by watching closely other dancers in restaurants, so to me, this is the perfect way to get the information across. The first concept we hear, and one that is repeated often, is that the restaurant/party dancer is not just a dancer. She is a hostess and cruise director. She helps the audience to loosen up. Michelle's attitudes toawrds performing mirror mine, but I had to learn mine through live performances. I wish I had had this video two years ago! We learn from Maria that it's okay to let a dancing audience member outshine you. In fact, it's a compliment if your dancing inspires everyone to get up to dance with you. Many dancers mentioned going around to tables, greeting patrons, and even making jokes. And Michelle answered a question that I've been wondering about - yes, it's okay to dance on tables and there is a method to not falling off!

Tipping was another big discussion. Some dancers take body tips and some don't. Zaheea has a unique method of taking tips in a pot, and discussed why she felt it was more effective and comfortable for her, and for her audience. Michelle, Maria, Summer Sahar, and Sandra all appeared to accept body tips, but discussed how they manage tipping to ensure "good behavior". Michelle offered several different techniques to make tipping fun and interactive. Just as important, the fact that tipping is just an extra was highlighted. You should not be overly concerned with the quantity of tips. You should not stoop to pick up the money on the floor. And if someone looks like a shady character, you do not have to accept a tip from them.

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A number of professional dancers were asked - what is it about a dancer, when she comes on the stage and performs, that tells you that she is a professional? Most said it as her confidence, the way she takes and leaves the stage, and whether she is able to project herself through the room. I should note that I have used female pronouns here, but there are male dancers and in fact, DaVid was one of the featured dancers on the DVD who gave his opinion on professionalism. Now, the night before I watched this DVD, I had been out at a restaurant watching 4 new performers during the "open mike" segment. I noted then that you could tell a professional dancer by her entrance/exit. This DVD confirmed that thought. Because the common theme was the entrances and exits, the DVD then showed a number of entrances and exits from Cheeky Girls Productions "By Dancers for Dancers" for analysis. Overall, the entrance and exit must be clean and strong!

The DVD ended with audience feedback. This section was less valuable than I expected, mostly because it is probably difficult for the audience to articulate what they are really responding to. One American audience member confirmed what we learned on the beginning of the DVD about short attention spans - she said that the music needed to be shorter! But there was one thread that linked them all - audience members respond to dancers who put their heart and soul into their dance, responding to the music and communicating the music to the audience.

Secrets of the Stage II DVD is available from the Cheeky Girls Productions website or Amazon.Com