Let me just say that putting together a show is like herding cats...impossible!
GAH!
So now that I'v gotten that off my chest, my friend and I had put a request to a couple
of dancer friends to come and perform, and she just heard back from one of them, and she took it upon herself to invite her students to perform, and to be honest they were'nt part of the package deal. Perhaps it's a misunderstanding , but we want good, experienced dancers and these dancers are students,
with no performance experience whatsoever.
Any thoughts on how to keep the peace and not alienate our invited dancers versus
the ones that want to "come with"??
Thanks all
~Maria
GAH!
So now that I'v gotten that off my chest, my friend and I had put a request to a couple
of dancer friends to come and perform, and she just heard back from one of them, and she took it upon herself to invite her students to perform, and to be honest they were'nt part of the package deal. Perhaps it's a misunderstanding , but we want good, experienced dancers and these dancers are students,
with no performance experience whatsoever.
Any thoughts on how to keep the peace and not alienate our invited dancers versus
the ones that want to "come with"??
Thanks all
~Maria
posted by:
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Massachusetts
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Re: unwanted dancers at a show..
Mon, February 25, 2008 - 5:59 PMI think you need to level with her in a friendly way to clarify the invitation was for her performance only (if you like, you can always say due to time constraints, or other reason), but that you'd be happy to welcome her students / troupe at a future event.
It could be that she's doing a lot of work with her students right now and enjoying the fun that comes from working as a tribe, and is more comfortable performing this way. But fair enough that you want the show to be for the more experienced dancers.
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Re: unwanted dancers at a show..
Mon, February 25, 2008 - 6:18 PMGood luck herding cats youtube.com/watch -
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Re: unwanted dancers at a show..
Mon, February 25, 2008 - 8:05 PMDude, that's hilarious! (The cat herding video, not your performer-plight.)
As far as performers go, I always err on the side of honesty. I would contact this performer and simply state that, for this particular show, you would like for just her to perform. You could add that you are trying to put together a show of professionals/semi-professionals in order to inspire students. Also, having students at such a show can frighten off newbies--it's a lot of stress and pressure for a student to perform alongside a professional. Hope this helps!
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Herding cats!!!
Mon, March 31, 2008 - 9:11 AMHahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahah!!!!!!!!!!
You ROCK.
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Re: unwanted dancers at a show..
Tue, February 26, 2008 - 7:15 AMI've got to go with the "Be up front..." recommendation. It really is as simple as saying "I'm sorry, there was a miscommunication. We are trying to put on a professional level show, no disrespect intended, etc." Knowing the parameters of the performance will probably make everyone involved okay with just the teacher performing; up to and including the students.
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Question regarding this particular post...
Wed, February 27, 2008 - 1:49 PMWhat is the best way to clearly state/invite dancers so as to (hopefully) reduce these sorts of troubles?
Verbal communication can sometimes go in one ear and out the other...that's not something a show organizer can control so I'm not really asking for a solution on that.
But...would an organizer say something like (in abbreviated form for this post) "We're putting together a show and we are looking for teachers and experienced performers. We would very much like to have you dance there...blah blah....You are interested and available? That's fantastic. We're excited that you will be able to add your professionalism and experience and, of course, your wonderful dancing. What is your mailing address so I can send you information about the show?" And in that 'information' would you send the contract stating the dancer in queston only (I assume there is one) and all the other info in writing (date, time, place, intent, cause, etc).
How does 'inviting dancers to perform' work when you are running a show?
Stef -
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Re: Question regarding this particular post...
Thu, February 28, 2008 - 1:07 PMMy troupe organizes a professional stage show annualy. This show is a contrast to the haflis and student showcases we also organize in that we have professional light and sound technicians, full color posters and promo materials et cetera et cetera.
This show features some of our areas best dancers. When I send out the invitation to the dancers we're featuring each year I make sure to
A) clearly state that we are looking for either a solo, small group or full troupe numer (I.e. I know that members of XYZ troupe also perform solo but we are interesting in featuring the entire troupe)
B) clearly state that the invitation is for the performers listed on the invitation only (I realize that you also teach classes, however we are not seeking student performers or classes for this show.)
C) clearly state that each year we try to feature different dancers to promote the range of talent in the area
So far I think we've been successful in the politics of hosting an "invitation only" show. We're up here in Maine and there's great dancers but its not a big razzle dazzle kind of place where people are competing for restaurant gigs and having lots of sponsored shows in hotel ballrooms. We have bean suppahs and one or two groups organize an annual gala event so everyone's happy.
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Re: unwanted dancers at a show..
Thu, February 28, 2008 - 10:07 PMPraise her for wanting to give her students opportunities to dance, but stress that you are inviting her specifically and don't have room in your this event for additional dancers.
I don't think I'd get into the levels of dancers issues, lest she attend and later feel like "well, so and so wasn't better than my students"
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Re: unwanted dancers at a show..
Thu, February 28, 2008 - 10:10 PMTell her that you think it is wonderful that she is always keeping an open eye for opportunities for her students but that you have specifically invited her and do not have room in your show /plans for additional dancers and that you are sorry if there was any miscommunication.
Don't bring up levels unless you have to. I wouldn't want to give her the change to feel like "well, so and so in the show wasn't as high a level as MY student" because sometimes teachers are not objective
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Re: unwanted dancers at a show..
Fri, April 4, 2008 - 12:10 PMThats a tough one! But I see nothing wrong with gentle honesty. If this dancer cannot handle her students not dancing, then you know who to not invite back. Ya pickin up what Im puttin down? -
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Re: unwanted dancers at a show..
Sat, April 12, 2008 - 1:45 PMLOL, "pickin up what Im puttin down?"
I love that!
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