How to Act Like a Professional Belly Dancer (Even If You're Not) Part 2

If you’ve not already read the first blog, I recommend you start there.

Otherwise, after the first blog, I thought of even more things you can do to appear more professional than you are.

Promote the Shows You’re In

When you are given the opportunity to be in a show, you are also expected to promote it. This means telling your friends and family, posting on social media, helping hang posters, etc. Producers put in a lot of effort and work to get an audience. The least you can do is utilize your following to bring more people in. You don’t want to dance to an empty audience, do you?

I still will never forget. I had invited a student dancer to come perform at a show at a restaurant. The audience was light that night, but still excited to be there. She proceeded to complain backstage that no one had come to the show and that it “sucked.” Turns out she never invited anyone. She didn’t tell any of her friends or family that she was performing.

It’s difficult to keep providing opportunities to dancers who won’t even participate in the hard parts of the job. Especially when many others would.

Keep Learning

I see it all the time. Dancers get their first gig and all of a sudden they are too good to come to classes. Just because you feel like you’re done, you’re not. Growth comes from many places but most importantly it comes from outside sources. That feedback you receive is essential to continue to grow your dance career. Whether it’s workshops, classes, or a mentorship; continue to grow.

Don’t Start Drama and Don’t Continue Drama

Look, I know this can be a hard one. When working with people, especially artists, personalities collide easily. But you need to be the bigger person as much as you can. Being known as the dancer who “has haters” and is constantly complaining that people are jealous of them is not a good place to be. It never looks good and makes other producers and dancers not want to be around you out of fear that they’ll be the next target.

Get Out of Costume After a Show

I see it time and time again. A dancer is done with her performance and immediately runs into the audience in costume. We do it because we enjoy the validation and love we receive. There is nothing wrong with wanting that! However, when you go out in costume you are taking away from the magic of your performance. Even worse if the show is not over. You are now distracting a whole audience, taking attention away from the current performer.

If you must go out into the audience, cover-up. Get yourself a demure and modest cover-up that completely covers your costume. Wait until an appropriate time to go into the audience. It is best however to wait till the show ends and change completely. This way you are not being a distraction or showing your costume unnecessarily.

Got any questions? Share them in the comments below!

Kat teaches, dances, and produces shows in Tacoma, Washington. You can find out more about her belly dance classes, belly dance performances, and belly dance shows at www.tacomabellydance.com