We’ve got such a mix of first time performers and seasoned professionals in our June Showcase lineup, and it may have some of you tempted to take to the stage yourself. But if you’re still on the fence, here’s 5 things to think about when you sign up!
1. Song choice
Picking a song can be hard – check out this post for some tips – so creating a playlist of songs you like dancing to will make the decision a lot easier once you’re ready to sign up, and leaves you with a lot more time to prepare your choreography.
Whether you want to perform for 30seconds or 5 minutes, make sure to pick a song that is a suitable length for you or crop it down if you need to.
2. Tricks vs flow
It can be tempting to throw in all your favourite tricks to really wow the crowd, but having some low-flow moments can really make the tricks stand out, and gives you a chance to breathe between feats of strength. Remember, if you’re performing for a few minutes you’re bound to get tired at the end, so structuring your act to match your stamina is key.
3. Equipment
Whether you do pole or aerial there are plenty of decisions to make about your equipment. Do you want to spin? How long is your strop? How many poles are you using? Knowing what equipment you have at the final show means you won’t have any nasty surprises when you show up on the day and don’t have what you need for your act.
4. Performer Bio
If you’ve never written a bio before it can be quite daunting when asked for one. Keep it simple, and don’t worry too much about length. An easy way to start is to introduce your name, discipline, and how long you’ve been performing followed by a little extra on what your act is about or what inspired you to start/perform. Many bios will also list previous performances, competitions, or teaching experience. Don’t worry if you don’t have much to say, and celebrating your first performance is a nice way to round off your bio.
5. Practice Time!
Make sure you have plenty of opportunities to practice your routine so you feel ready when you step on stage. Filming your rehearsals will help you refine your movement, and taking notes of what needs changing will let you plan ahead and make the most of your time in the studio.
If you feel ready to perform, keep an eye out for our next showcase callout – save the date now for 25th October! But if you’re still on the fence, why not grab a ticket for our June showcase and let our students inspire you. The latest additions to the lineup are:
Adam: I’m one of the “distance” students at the Bendy studio coming whenever I can to enjoy learning from the wonderful people at the studio here. In the last year I’ve been exploring a different way to move and pole and learning just how much grip a pair of trackies can offer.
Sam: This will be my second show having started pole two and a half years ago. Taking up pole in my fifties has been one of the most beautiful challenges of my life and I am incredibly proud of what I have accomplished so far. I have been inspired by each and every instructor and fellow dancer so this performance is dedicated to them.
Hi we’re Phil and Jo, we’ve been playing around with partner acro for a few years. We’ve now moved to Bristol and are enjoying exploring new types of movement.
