Studio showcase economics
- Thread starter etchuck
- Start date
anntennis
Active Member
As one of the post mentioned, it is more of a question if it is worth it for me to pay $230 per showcase, which used to be only about 100 or even less with a teacher’s fee. Not complete luck of resources if I really - really want one. Would you pay double for a product, which used to be a fraction of the cost? It depends how much you are addicted to it.
Perhaps, it is time to take a second look at golf school.
In my case, I do need about 10 lessons, it is some theatrics and showmanship , rather than just , say, 10 figures/drills of bronze or silver put together for a waltz music. Yes, it is all about choice. Perhaps now I will do one show, not 3, or just have a break, and when “hungry” for a show, come back.
There are some very interesting responses and thoughts in this thread.
Thank you for all the examples and videos.
If I am brave enough, I will post some of my videos, since shows are my thing rather than competition.
Perhaps, it is time to take a second look at golf school.
In my case, I do need about 10 lessons, it is some theatrics and showmanship , rather than just , say, 10 figures/drills of bronze or silver put together for a waltz music. Yes, it is all about choice. Perhaps now I will do one show, not 3, or just have a break, and when “hungry” for a show, come back.
There are some very interesting responses and thoughts in this thread.
Thank you for all the examples and videos.
If I am brave enough, I will post some of my videos, since shows are my thing rather than competition.
I think a part of ballroom dancing is at the intersection between dance and pageantry. To me, the costumes, hair, tans, etc. maybe enhance the experience for some, but for me, they can also be a distraction from the purity of the dance. I see a dance as a fleeting moment of time, like a soap bubble that is gone when it bursts. That is what makes it unique from any other art form. The best memories of my dance life have not usually been performances, but the rare times when I have been in studio, in the "zone", danced well and received the nods of my fellow students or instructor who understood what they witnessed, much more than an untrained audience. In other dance genres, performance productions can be much more modest, without even costumes or a theatre, and the students never pay to perform, but the dancing can be spectacular. Mind you, the “audience” is usually on wooden benches around the room. So I am on the fence about all this glitz, although I can see how it can be a lot of fun, for those that want and can afford it.
Yeah. I didn't hear you say anything about limited resources. I heard you mention perhaps choosing other activities, instead of showcases.
My guess is that your studio, like chrisjohnston's, was losing money on showcases for some time and has now decided to pass the cost on to students. It's a pity they didn't explain that, if that is the case. *sigh*
If you need the ten lessons, though, is it possible to look at them as a long term investment in your dance performance ability overall, rather than just a part of the cost of this one showcase? It's not as if you'll forget how to create stage presence (or whatever) once you know how.
Another possibility. Does your studio do spotlights at their dance socials? As DOI mentioned last night, as far as I know, those are free. I've never paid a penny to do one of those. And they can feed your desire to perform without breaking your bank, so to speak.
btw, I wasn't saying that my showcases were a bunch of drills. Not sure how I gave that impression. I was saying that showcases "showcase" what you are already learning in your lessons. You're right, though. Some embellishments are needed.
I'd love to see your videos, if you ever feel moved to share. But if not, that's okay too. the internet can be a scary place.
I have done the mega showcase scenario that TC is talking about.
Professional theater (stage, theater seating, curtains, lighting, wings, backstage areas, green room, etc.), lighting and backdrops (professionally designed), sound system, costumes, make-up and hair, two rehearsals (technical and dress) in the theater, instruction for group dances or solos, the commraderie of the cast, professional DVD of the performances, and sold out/almost sold out performances for two nights (lots of family and friends come!). It is truly the experience of being in a dance production.
Like Larinda mentioned, the excitement of being in a theater production is a different experience...it's also much more of a shared experience with your cast and crew.
That said I would not pay money to do a studio showcase (that is simply dancing in the studio) unless a number of my family and friends asked me to do something in that vein.
Professional theater (stage, theater seating, curtains, lighting, wings, backstage areas, green room, etc.), lighting and backdrops (professionally designed), sound system, costumes, make-up and hair, two rehearsals (technical and dress) in the theater, instruction for group dances or solos, the commraderie of the cast, professional DVD of the performances, and sold out/almost sold out performances for two nights (lots of family and friends come!). It is truly the experience of being in a dance production.
Like Larinda mentioned, the excitement of being in a theater production is a different experience...it's also much more of a shared experience with your cast and crew.
That said I would not pay money to do a studio showcase (that is simply dancing in the studio) unless a number of my family and friends asked me to do something in that vein.
But they're not free. There's the rub.
But again. It all comes down to choices. Do I think that what I'm getting is worth what I'm paying?
Bailamosdance
Forum Master
I have never thought that an hour with our coaches, much less ten hours, did not give us insight, training, criticism, opportunity, and build on our dance knowledge. Do you not do 10 hours of coaching and feel that you have gotten value? If not - time to get a new coach lol.
A showcase is an opportunity to learn new choreography, learn showmanship, set goals, and ultimately do what dancers do - create a moment. Not doing a showcase because you think that it should cost less is disingenuous to say the least. Yes, I would love to get a $50,000 car for $10,000, and my reason for not buying it can be anything from budget to principles, but ultimately the price is not yours to change. And, if you want something, a few $$s should not stand in your way.
A showcase is an opportunity to learn new choreography, learn showmanship, set goals, and ultimately do what dancers do - create a moment. Not doing a showcase because you think that it should cost less is disingenuous to say the least. Yes, I would love to get a $50,000 car for $10,000, and my reason for not buying it can be anything from budget to principles, but ultimately the price is not yours to change. And, if you want something, a few $$s should not stand in your way.
Mr 4 styles
Forum Master
nor should a change in studio if you think the value isnt there for the price
in my earlier post i mentioned my personal experience in this area, but essentially if you dance in a showcase to
could be free or minimal cost
if you do it to have
Totally agreed, Mr4S.
Or almost. An in-studio showcase, despite appearances, is not free. Off the top of my head, here are some associated costs.
non-lesson time teachers spend on choreo
prep time for pro show and/or expenses of visiting pro performer
hotel/travel expenses of guest judges or coaches
cost of shutting down the studio on a night or day when it would normally be open for business
rental of chairs/tables
decorations
refreshments
videography
I'm sure there's a bunch of other stuff I forgot or was not aware of, but this list is a good start. Even if it looks "cheap," that doesn't make it free.
Or almost. An in-studio showcase, despite appearances, is not free. Off the top of my head, here are some associated costs.
non-lesson time teachers spend on choreo
prep time for pro show and/or expenses of visiting pro performer
hotel/travel expenses of guest judges or coaches
cost of shutting down the studio on a night or day when it would normally be open for business
rental of chairs/tables
decorations
refreshments
videography
I'm sure there's a bunch of other stuff I forgot or was not aware of, but this list is a good start. Even if it looks "cheap," that doesn't make it free.
Mr 4 styles
Forum Master
pyg.. at our studio showcases
we bring potluck
its a true exhibition of dance no critiques judges pro numbers etc
as Larinda put it its a dude on the mic ( my teachers hubby and the DJ)
own chairs no decorations video cost 10 dollars no entry fee
teachers hour only
minimal cost ..no frills but tons o fun!!!
we bring potluck
its a true exhibition of dance no critiques judges pro numbers etc
as Larinda put it its a dude on the mic ( my teachers hubby and the DJ)
own chairs no decorations video cost 10 dollars no entry fee
teachers hour only
minimal cost ..no frills but tons o fun!!!
Exactly. There are tons of ways to do it. No frills works, too.
It just gets my goat when I encounter the, "I don't value what's being offered, so it should be free" attitude. Stuff is not free. There is no doubt about that. The question is what I am willing to pay for.
Mr 4 styles
Forum Master
LOL i agree keep hearing that "not everything can be five cents " commercial for insurance in my head
Terpsichorean Clod
Forum Master
I totally agree. We had some dance friends come along to run stage management for the dancers. They didn't dance, but they had just as much fun.
Soulmate61
Active Member
This brings to mind what Martha Graham said, that every dance is unique to the dancer at a moment in time. Unlike merchandise rolling off a production line, a dance cannot be reproduced. The same choreography and dancers, but the circumstances, the mood, the outcome, would be different.
Martha Graham would not allow her own dances to be filmed, with the result that there is very little film record today. No doubt her dancing lives on in the memory -- of those who saw.