So you have made sure right from the initial client phone call up until now that you have got everything you need for your performance.
Get to the venue 15 to 20 minutes before you are due to start dancing. It will most likely be the first time you are seeing it and it is important to do the following when you get there.
- Find your contact person and introduce yourself to them.
- Find the person whom is going to play your music for you and give him your CD and your play list you wrote out. Explain to them:
- How you would like the music to be played.
- If he must leave pauses in between before he plays the next song
- If he must wait for your signal before he starts the next song
- Give the list you wrote out to him and let him know that the list is the song order and the props you will be using.
- Find a safe place where you can place you bag and make sure it is out of the audiences’ eye. This space is yours to pack out your props in the order you will be using them.
- Have a look at your space that has been provided for you and pay attention to the following to make sure you can execute your performance professionally without any mishaps:
- Look at how the draping and décor has been set up
- Look at how the seating for you audience has been set up. This is important so that you know if you must dance for everyone around you or for people directly in front of you.
- Pay attention to see if there are any water sprinklers on the ceilings which could go off if it detects fire.
- See where you will be entering and exiting your dance space from.
- If the occasion is for someone specific find out where that person is sitting or will be situated so that you can include him first in your audience participation.
- Make sure the person playing your music can see you from your exit and entrance spot so they know when to play the music for you.
- Make sure the floor is not slippery so that you know whether to keep your shoes on or take them off.
- Find out where the light switches are if you would like the lights dimmed when you do your fire performance and ask someone if they would not mind dimming the lights and switching them back on during and after your fire performances
- If the client is going to break plates, ask that they do not break any plates where you will be dancing until after you have danced. This causes the dance floor to be uneven for you and you could trip and fall. You could also cut your feet on the broken bits lying around if you are dancing bare foot.
- Make sure you set up your fire sticks in an area where you can closely make it to the outside after your performance to put your fire sticks out. (I’m not going to go into detail about your fire sticks here as you should know your safety aspects and how to dance with your fire sticks)
- Go to the bathroom or change room and make sure that your costume is still secure and touch up your makeup and hair if it is needed.
- Remain covered in your cloak or veil before you are about to dance.
- Have fun with your performance and remember to keep eye contact and smile