Looking for a theme for a bellydance show
November 12, 2005 12:00 PM Subscribe
I am in the early stages of attempting to organize a show for a tribal rock fusion bellydance troupe, and I was thinking it might be nice for it to have some overarching theme rather than simply being a collection of unrelated dance numbers. Any suggestions? [more inside]
Possibilities could include such things as an episodic narrative story translated into dance (such as Alice in Wonderland), a similarly adapted version of a collection of related short stories (such as 1001 Arabian Nights), or a nonnarrative idea which has some kind of linking theme among all the dances (such as the Elements). I suspect that the last type will be most appropriate for the troupe, but I don't want to rule out anything right away. And, of course, other ideas which aren't any of those three are also welcome.
Possibilities could include such things as an episodic narrative story translated into dance (such as Alice in Wonderland), a similarly adapted version of a collection of related short stories (such as 1001 Arabian Nights), or a nonnarrative idea which has some kind of linking theme among all the dances (such as the Elements). I suspect that the last type will be most appropriate for the troupe, but I don't want to rule out anything right away. And, of course, other ideas which aren't any of those three are also welcome.
First off, that sounds really interesting- is this show going to be in the NY metro area?
In my experience with loosely similar art forms (theater, sketch & improv comedy), I've found that when you let the troupe follow its individual inspirations, themes have a way of emerging naturally- by nature we look for connections. The themes that are loosely formed can then be emphasized and refined as each of the components matures.
I don't know if you are creating the music specifically for this show, or if you're using pre-existing music (original or otherwise). I would suggest having a few (2-4) of your composers/choreographers work on pieces individually, perhaps working with overlapping groups of musicians/dancers. See what comes out of that- what influences your artists draw from, what riffs, images, etc. your performers really take to, and extrapolate from there. I think this gives you a good chance of choosing a theme that your troupe can get passionate about and turn out a good performance for.
This is kind of a democratic, bottom-up approach, and you may be looking for something a little more centralized, more driven by a singular vision. I personally really enjoy watching people work from their own inspiration, and appreciate it when artists who work on my projects take a personal stake in them. As a result, I usually try to start from that place and make little adjustments to fit everything to my directorial vision (which itself will change as I see my performers' inspiration), rather than trying to engage others in a particular vision I have from the start. Hope this helps.
posted by MonkeyMeat at 1:48 PM on November 12, 2005
In my experience with loosely similar art forms (theater, sketch & improv comedy), I've found that when you let the troupe follow its individual inspirations, themes have a way of emerging naturally- by nature we look for connections. The themes that are loosely formed can then be emphasized and refined as each of the components matures.
I don't know if you are creating the music specifically for this show, or if you're using pre-existing music (original or otherwise). I would suggest having a few (2-4) of your composers/choreographers work on pieces individually, perhaps working with overlapping groups of musicians/dancers. See what comes out of that- what influences your artists draw from, what riffs, images, etc. your performers really take to, and extrapolate from there. I think this gives you a good chance of choosing a theme that your troupe can get passionate about and turn out a good performance for.
This is kind of a democratic, bottom-up approach, and you may be looking for something a little more centralized, more driven by a singular vision. I personally really enjoy watching people work from their own inspiration, and appreciate it when artists who work on my projects take a personal stake in them. As a result, I usually try to start from that place and make little adjustments to fit everything to my directorial vision (which itself will change as I see my performers' inspiration), rather than trying to engage others in a particular vision I have from the start. Hope this helps.
posted by MonkeyMeat at 1:48 PM on November 12, 2005
I like the Elements idea. Dances are often by turns firey, or flowing like water, etc. This could be reflected in the lighting, setting, props, music, and dance.
Or maybe having something as simple as color shaping the mood of each dance would work. The lighting, costumes, music, and tone of the dance could each represent a single color. Then the finale could be some sort of whirlwind of colors that fades to black, since colors mixed together make black.
These ideas could give you that loose theme you're after and would really allow you to express yourself in the dance without having to rely too heavily upon a storyline.
posted by smartypanties at 10:25 PM on November 12, 2005
Or maybe having something as simple as color shaping the mood of each dance would work. The lighting, costumes, music, and tone of the dance could each represent a single color. Then the finale could be some sort of whirlwind of colors that fades to black, since colors mixed together make black.
These ideas could give you that loose theme you're after and would really allow you to express yourself in the dance without having to rely too heavily upon a storyline.
posted by smartypanties at 10:25 PM on November 12, 2005
I love dances that tell a tale. Could you perhaps combine some of your ideas, use different story lines but set them in one location during the four seasons?
Good luck! This sounds like fun.
posted by Tarrama at 3:40 AM on November 13, 2005
Good luck! This sounds like fun.
posted by Tarrama at 3:40 AM on November 13, 2005
I should add, I perform with a folkloric Haitian dance troupe. Our dances each tell a totally different story in Haitian folklore. Ex.: Snake dance, fire dance, slave dance, dance of the ocean, war dance, aristocrat dance, death dance, and so on. (We don't actually practice vodou.)
The choreographies are connected in that they are based on Haitian vodou, but their stories do not relate to one another on any other central theme. I suppose our shows could appear disjointed to the audience, but they LOVE the variety and changes of energy. In other words, each dance can tell a completely different story and it can still seem cohesive.
posted by smartypanties at 5:38 AM on November 13, 2005
The choreographies are connected in that they are based on Haitian vodou, but their stories do not relate to one another on any other central theme. I suppose our shows could appear disjointed to the audience, but they LOVE the variety and changes of energy. In other words, each dance can tell a completely different story and it can still seem cohesive.
posted by smartypanties at 5:38 AM on November 13, 2005
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by sgt.serenity at 1:34 PM on November 12, 2005