cornutt
Forum Master
Why, yes... hmm...
Studio showcase economics
- Thread starter etchuck
- Start date
Why, yes... hmm...
ProgressNotPerfection
Forum Master
Reviving thread bcs I sat in the audience at our studio showcase last night (my first ever) & want to share my experience & impressions. As usual for me, this post is lengthy.
What I mean by “showcase”: 3 hours including pre-show cocktails, 2 acts, 20 performances per act, each performance about 2 min long (15 add’l seconds for bows), rented ballroom at upscale private club, light hors d’oeuvres & cash bar, professional lighting, photography, videography, & sound system. Floor was open to social dancing pre-show & during 20-min intermission. All performances were pro/am but two, and those two were both married couples (& they were by far the crowd favorites). Theme was “Lights, Camera, Action!” & all songs were based on movies. Each number was choreographed to tell a story that matched the song.
I absolutely loved it! For those of you familiar with my general enthusiasm here, that won’t surprise you.
Some of the numbers were elaborately tongue in cheek, with over the top props and facial expressions. Others were breath-catchingly beautiful. Most were just fun. And that was my overall reaction to the whole night: WHAT FUN!
The dancers’ skills varied greatly, but even with the not-as-gifted-as-others students, I was full of admiration for their willingness to perform. It takes guts to do what they did. A showcase feels much scarier to me than an actual comp, since in the former it’s just you & your pro alone in the spotlight for 2 min in front of a whole audience, while in the latter you’re on the floor with several other couples, for only 90 seconds, & the judges have to evaluate everyone very quickly. Idk when I’ll be able to put myself out there & be that vulnerable. Some of the students did the whole comp hair & makeup thing, complete with suddenly tanned skin & false eyelashes; others were more understated with hair down & normal makeup. Costumes ranged from comp-quality ballroom gowns to downright clownishly silly in the funnier numbers.
The studio instructors all appeared to be having a great time. Either they were, or they’re all remarkable actors (now that I think of it, I guess they ARE remarkable actors). But this was a notable difference from the mini-match I watched in November, where during many of the 250 heats over the 7-hour day*, I saw some of the instructors looking merely tolerant or even bored.
Last night, I noticed a lot of similarities in each instructor’s choreography. That is, each one has his or her own distinctive style & moves, which were used again and again in multiple numbers. I also noticed that the instructors’ parts were usually choreographed to showcase the student (hence the term “showcase”?), & not call too much attention to themselves. Of course, sometimes that didn’t happen...on several numbers, the instructors’ skills were just mesmerizing. At one point I almost fell out of my chair from leaning forward to see better. It’s so cool to see the teachers as dancers in their own right rather than solely teachers! (Note: I absolutely do NOT mean “solely” to imply “less than.” I mean “solely” as in “one role instead of two.”)
Audience tickets were $35 per person and well worth it, IMO. Idk what the students had to pay to perform, but it’s on my new list of questions (as are “are extra lessons required for showcase prep & if so are they paid for separately” & “is there an add’l fee for choreography” & “is there a studio wardrobe for pros’ costumes or do students buy them for each showcase”).
It was a great way to spend a Saturday night. I could see wonderful camaraderie and mutual support among the performers. And while part of me envies that sense of belonging, I don’t want it enough to perform in a showcase myself (at least not yet...not ruling it out for “someday”).
*Yes, I really did watch the mini-match all that day. It was fascinating. I wrote down questions to ask my pro later, and took videos on my phone of more than a dozen heats, which I have watched repeatedly to get ideas on costumes, techniques, new steps, etc. (Me? Obsessive? Why on earth would you think that?)
What I mean by “showcase”: 3 hours including pre-show cocktails, 2 acts, 20 performances per act, each performance about 2 min long (15 add’l seconds for bows), rented ballroom at upscale private club, light hors d’oeuvres & cash bar, professional lighting, photography, videography, & sound system. Floor was open to social dancing pre-show & during 20-min intermission. All performances were pro/am but two, and those two were both married couples (& they were by far the crowd favorites). Theme was “Lights, Camera, Action!” & all songs were based on movies. Each number was choreographed to tell a story that matched the song.
I absolutely loved it! For those of you familiar with my general enthusiasm here, that won’t surprise you.
Some of the numbers were elaborately tongue in cheek, with over the top props and facial expressions. Others were breath-catchingly beautiful. Most were just fun. And that was my overall reaction to the whole night: WHAT FUN!
The dancers’ skills varied greatly, but even with the not-as-gifted-as-others students, I was full of admiration for their willingness to perform. It takes guts to do what they did. A showcase feels much scarier to me than an actual comp, since in the former it’s just you & your pro alone in the spotlight for 2 min in front of a whole audience, while in the latter you’re on the floor with several other couples, for only 90 seconds, & the judges have to evaluate everyone very quickly. Idk when I’ll be able to put myself out there & be that vulnerable. Some of the students did the whole comp hair & makeup thing, complete with suddenly tanned skin & false eyelashes; others were more understated with hair down & normal makeup. Costumes ranged from comp-quality ballroom gowns to downright clownishly silly in the funnier numbers.
The studio instructors all appeared to be having a great time. Either they were, or they’re all remarkable actors (now that I think of it, I guess they ARE remarkable actors). But this was a notable difference from the mini-match I watched in November, where during many of the 250 heats over the 7-hour day*, I saw some of the instructors looking merely tolerant or even bored.
Last night, I noticed a lot of similarities in each instructor’s choreography. That is, each one has his or her own distinctive style & moves, which were used again and again in multiple numbers. I also noticed that the instructors’ parts were usually choreographed to showcase the student (hence the term “showcase”?), & not call too much attention to themselves. Of course, sometimes that didn’t happen...on several numbers, the instructors’ skills were just mesmerizing. At one point I almost fell out of my chair from leaning forward to see better. It’s so cool to see the teachers as dancers in their own right rather than solely teachers! (Note: I absolutely do NOT mean “solely” to imply “less than.” I mean “solely” as in “one role instead of two.”)
Audience tickets were $35 per person and well worth it, IMO. Idk what the students had to pay to perform, but it’s on my new list of questions (as are “are extra lessons required for showcase prep & if so are they paid for separately” & “is there an add’l fee for choreography” & “is there a studio wardrobe for pros’ costumes or do students buy them for each showcase”).
It was a great way to spend a Saturday night. I could see wonderful camaraderie and mutual support among the performers. And while part of me envies that sense of belonging, I don’t want it enough to perform in a showcase myself (at least not yet...not ruling it out for “someday”).
*Yes, I really did watch the mini-match all that day. It was fascinating. I wrote down questions to ask my pro later, and took videos on my phone of more than a dozen heats, which I have watched repeatedly to get ideas on costumes, techniques, new steps, etc. (Me? Obsessive? Why on earth would you think that?)
Warren J. Dew
Forum Master
I've seen a lot of showcases since the 1980s, but one recent one was the first where I was not bored for most of the time. A big part of that was instructors who made sure the students were the focus of the presentation, including in most cases a long introduction where the student danced alone.
ProgressNotPerfection
Forum Master
At my lesson earlier this week, Pro & I danced past a large poster on the studio wall with the names & pictures of the visiting coaches who will be working with the studio this year on, among other things, showcase choreography. There are lots of blank lines below the announcement where students can sign up for time with them. I told Pro that I’d been thinking about the showcase I watched on Feb. 1, and had some ideas about what might make a fun performance at the next one. His face lit up as he asked, “really! Are you wanting to dance at the next one in August? Let me get you the paperwork!”
Hahahaha... (I’m laughing at my own about-face, bcs only 2 weeks ago I was posting here that I didn’t know when - if ever - I’d be willing to perform in a showcase.) He gave me a brief explanation about the process & the costs.
But on the other hand, there will be 40 performance numbers by students with their instructors. 40 x $295 = $11,800. And remember, audience tix are $35 each. There were almost 200 people in the audience last time, so that’s another $7,000 in revenue. That more than covers the costs.
But going back to the first hand, the studio pros are contributing more than 3 minutes per student for performance time. They are giving up their Saturday evening/night to be “on” & full of energy for several hours, not just dancing but also meeting students’ friends & family members, posing for dozens of pictures, & generally being charming & welcoming to everyone.
And still on that first hand (or maybe a third hand, but on the same side?), the fee paid by the student guarantees them the spotlight for part of that exciting night, dancing a song of their choosing, feeling special. It reminds of a play I performed in almost 20 years ago...[cue flashback music, dim the lights, loosen the camera’s focus...]
One of my favorite musicals growing up was “I Do! I Do!” by Robert Preston and Mary Martin. It’s a 2-person show that follows the couple through their 50-year marriage. I always wanted to perform it, and when I became a board member of our local theatre, I proposed it. (When I say local theatre, I mean tiny little local theatre in the tiny little town where we lived back then; where the same core group of 10-12 actors did all the plays & musicals.) The board was receptive, but the licensing fees were almost $1,000, way beyond the budget limitations. I offered to pay that out of my own pocket, with the agreement that I’d play the female lead.
And I did. Back then a thousand bucks was a HUGE amount of money, & I had to use a credit card & pay interest before it was finally paid off (baaaaad financial choice, but I was young & stupid). But I have never regretted it. I loved doing the show, living out a childhood fantasy, basking in the compliments from everyone who attended our short run of 4 performances, and later showing the videos to my children (“mommy! You’re so pretty! I didn’t know you could sing like that!”).
Back to present day. This dance showcase feels very similar to that. And $295 is much more affordable than $1,000 was back then. I mean, heck, that’s roughly the cost of 3 private lessons.
So...I totally get it. I understand why students would pay that much money to “give the studio free advertising” - because it’s so much more than that.
And, if my dancing continues to improve, and assuming the mini-match in April doesn’t scare me off (unlikely), I think I WILL be ready by August to perform in the studio showcase.
Happy butterflies in my tummy just thinking about it!
Hahahaha... (I’m laughing at my own about-face, bcs only 2 weeks ago I was posting here that I didn’t know when - if ever - I’d be willing to perform in a showcase.) He gave me a brief explanation about the process & the costs.
- $295 “participation fee” per performer (per dance, if you want to do more than one)
- Unspecified additional amount for choreography from visiting coach (not mandatory, since Pro & Studio Manager usually choreograph beginners’ numbers)
- Unspecified additional amount for professional DVD
- No extra lessons required - just learn the routine at regular already-purchased lessons
But on the other hand, there will be 40 performance numbers by students with their instructors. 40 x $295 = $11,800. And remember, audience tix are $35 each. There were almost 200 people in the audience last time, so that’s another $7,000 in revenue. That more than covers the costs.
But going back to the first hand, the studio pros are contributing more than 3 minutes per student for performance time. They are giving up their Saturday evening/night to be “on” & full of energy for several hours, not just dancing but also meeting students’ friends & family members, posing for dozens of pictures, & generally being charming & welcoming to everyone.
And still on that first hand (or maybe a third hand, but on the same side?), the fee paid by the student guarantees them the spotlight for part of that exciting night, dancing a song of their choosing, feeling special. It reminds of a play I performed in almost 20 years ago...[cue flashback music, dim the lights, loosen the camera’s focus...]
One of my favorite musicals growing up was “I Do! I Do!” by Robert Preston and Mary Martin. It’s a 2-person show that follows the couple through their 50-year marriage. I always wanted to perform it, and when I became a board member of our local theatre, I proposed it. (When I say local theatre, I mean tiny little local theatre in the tiny little town where we lived back then; where the same core group of 10-12 actors did all the plays & musicals.) The board was receptive, but the licensing fees were almost $1,000, way beyond the budget limitations. I offered to pay that out of my own pocket, with the agreement that I’d play the female lead.
And I did. Back then a thousand bucks was a HUGE amount of money, & I had to use a credit card & pay interest before it was finally paid off (baaaaad financial choice, but I was young & stupid). But I have never regretted it. I loved doing the show, living out a childhood fantasy, basking in the compliments from everyone who attended our short run of 4 performances, and later showing the videos to my children (“mommy! You’re so pretty! I didn’t know you could sing like that!”).
Back to present day. This dance showcase feels very similar to that. And $295 is much more affordable than $1,000 was back then. I mean, heck, that’s roughly the cost of 3 private lessons.
So...I totally get it. I understand why students would pay that much money to “give the studio free advertising” - because it’s so much more than that.
And, if my dancing continues to improve, and assuming the mini-match in April doesn’t scare me off (unlikely), I think I WILL be ready by August to perform in the studio showcase.
Happy butterflies in my tummy just thinking about it!
Purr
Forum Master
The $295 cost for the showcase is only the beginning. If your pro choreographs your routine for you, you're not paying for extra coaching, but you are using up lesson time. If another pro or coach helps choreograph your routine, that's another expense. And then there's the number of lessons you'll go through learning the routine. That can be a lot! And then there's the expense of costumes, for you and possibly your pro. And then the expense of video and maybe photos. A showcase can be quite a costly undertaking.
I did a showcase in December. I don't recall the exact price but I think the price was $90 if you were dancing (I was) and $60 for those not dancing. We had a full sit down dinner at a nice rented location. So much of the $90 was for the nice dinner. Wine was extra at the open bar. We had dinner before the showcase and open dancing afterwards.
My pro choreographed our number during our lesson. I made a dress as a costume. The studio didn't make any more money on lessons for me because I've budgetted pretty much the same amount per week regardless. So there was no extra cost.
I think most other students budgets were more or less like mine. Most people's costumes were not elaborate. Some wore their competition gear. The one student with an elaborate costume likes to perform showcases in competition and has a large budget. So I suspect her show case is going to be practiced and performed at several competitions this year. (This student spends a lot. I think the show case represents no extra cost beyond, perhaps, fresh eyelashes, hose and cleaning and wear and tear on her costume. For her it's definitely an opportunity to get in front of the crowd and do a polished number which must help during later competitions.)
I think these do make money for the studio, but it doesn't sound like quite the revenue generator PNP's studio has.
My pro choreographed our number during our lesson. I made a dress as a costume. The studio didn't make any more money on lessons for me because I've budgetted pretty much the same amount per week regardless. So there was no extra cost.
I think most other students budgets were more or less like mine. Most people's costumes were not elaborate. Some wore their competition gear. The one student with an elaborate costume likes to perform showcases in competition and has a large budget. So I suspect her show case is going to be practiced and performed at several competitions this year. (This student spends a lot. I think the show case represents no extra cost beyond, perhaps, fresh eyelashes, hose and cleaning and wear and tear on her costume. For her it's definitely an opportunity to get in front of the crowd and do a polished number which must help during later competitions.)
I think these do make money for the studio, but it doesn't sound like quite the revenue generator PNP's studio has.
Well Rounded
Well-Known Member
I love doing showcases. The studio does 2 per year. They are more like state performances. It's held in an auditorium. There is a real backdrop and professional lighting. Tickets are usually $10 per person for spectators. I do one every couple of years and I love it. The reason I don't do them more often is money. I can't always afford more than 1 lesson a week. That means I'm spending 20 weeks working on my showcase, and not all the other dances. I do work on the other dances in group classes, but privates go for the show. There is a $30 performance fee, and you pay for choreography and coachings if you want. The choreography usually costs me the equivalent of 4 lessons. Coachings are optional but I feel I must have at least one to get the experience that I want to have from a showcase. So while I'm not shelling out a lot of extra cash, I am sacrificing lessons on regular dancing. If I could afford to always do 2 or 3 lessons a week, I would probably do the show every time.
bry_dancer
Well-Known Member
I did one in January and it was a very similar experience and cost to Lucia_l. We just took one of my comp routines and added a new beginning and end to it. I typically do two lessons per week and I think I added one additional lesson to practice it.
In the past I have done much more elaborate showcases with tricks and multiple pros, but that requires adding additional lessons or taking time away from the comp prep. Now that I'm competing in two styles there's not a lot of extra time or budget for showcases so we just fit it in and keep it simple.
In the past I have done much more elaborate showcases with tricks and multiple pros, but that requires adding additional lessons or taking time away from the comp prep. Now that I'm competing in two styles there's not a lot of extra time or budget for showcases so we just fit it in and keep it simple.
@ProgressNotPerfection, the cost varies from studio to studio based at least partially on the cost of renting the venue.
You will learn a lot by doing a showcase, but your other dances will likely suffer from neglect. Just be sure you look ahead in your planning and that there is enough time before the next event where you will need to be dancing a variety of dances.
You will learn a lot by doing a showcase, but your other dances will likely suffer from neglect. Just be sure you look ahead in your planning and that there is enough time before the next event where you will need to be dancing a variety of dances.
So just another data point while I'm on a roll posting here today:
My studio has two Showcases a year. It is an all day weekend event, usually runs ~11 A.M. to 5 P.M. There are 30-second (for newbies), 1-minute, and 2-minute performances, and usually each branch (there are 3 locations) does a formation. Cost is $35 per entry/performance + $120 (better per person rate for couples) for all day + dinner. We're at a hotel or event venue, so buffet style dinner like you might expect at a wedding.
How much a particular performance costs you varies as described earlier. Obviously there are the lessons to prepare. You may have a coach come in and provide choreography (or feedback later in the process), or instructor may choreograph. And how much you want to spend on costumes.
FWIW, I have always loved Showcase. I like picking my own music, my vision, having a say in the choreo, having dance floor to myself, and performance. Though tbh I've been doing it so long that my well of ideas is running a little dry. Currently, I have one routine I'm working on that is strictly Showcase, otherwise we are taking comp amalgamations and dressing them up a bit to make a routine (as someone alluded to earlier). Note - this is not with the pro mentioned in the other thread, this is with the studio and instructors I'm continuing with.
This is a minority opinion, but IME Showcase is not a throwaway or a distraction from other dance progress. I have personally found that concentrating intensely on one dance (for Showcase routine) has greatly improved that dance for me, since we are hammering technique as well as learning choreo. My bolero and waltz took a huge step up a few years back when I did Showcases (and repeated those routines a couple times).
My studio has two Showcases a year. It is an all day weekend event, usually runs ~11 A.M. to 5 P.M. There are 30-second (for newbies), 1-minute, and 2-minute performances, and usually each branch (there are 3 locations) does a formation. Cost is $35 per entry/performance + $120 (better per person rate for couples) for all day + dinner. We're at a hotel or event venue, so buffet style dinner like you might expect at a wedding.
How much a particular performance costs you varies as described earlier. Obviously there are the lessons to prepare. You may have a coach come in and provide choreography (or feedback later in the process), or instructor may choreograph. And how much you want to spend on costumes.
FWIW, I have always loved Showcase. I like picking my own music, my vision, having a say in the choreo, having dance floor to myself, and performance. Though tbh I've been doing it so long that my well of ideas is running a little dry. Currently, I have one routine I'm working on that is strictly Showcase, otherwise we are taking comp amalgamations and dressing them up a bit to make a routine (as someone alluded to earlier). Note - this is not with the pro mentioned in the other thread, this is with the studio and instructors I'm continuing with.
This is a minority opinion, but IME Showcase is not a throwaway or a distraction from other dance progress. I have personally found that concentrating intensely on one dance (for Showcase routine) has greatly improved that dance for me, since we are hammering technique as well as learning choreo. My bolero and waltz took a huge step up a few years back when I did Showcases (and repeated those routines a couple times).
DanceMentor
Administrator
In Los Angeles, there are quite a few thriving dance communities where they rent facilities and have Showcases. It can be as little as $40, but since it is in a nice hotel with a band, maybe another $60 for the entry to the ballroom (can be less, maybe $20). I can think of these types of events in the Filipino, Japanese, Chinese, and Vietnamese dance communities, and there can be a lot of overlap, with dancers of different communities mingling with one another.
You can also pay a lot more at studios like Arthur Murray, or other "upscale" studios in Orange Country, or similar. I've seen $4000+ for a showcase too, but usually it is a package deal with a few spectator ticks thrown in, video, entry to venue, lessons and choreography.
You can also pay a lot more at studios like Arthur Murray, or other "upscale" studios in Orange Country, or similar. I've seen $4000+ for a showcase too, but usually it is a package deal with a few spectator ticks thrown in, video, entry to venue, lessons and choreography.
Well Rounded
Well-Known Member
I'm in complete agreement about the showcases not being a throwaway. I learn new technique and hone the technique I already know. Plus I increase my skill and comfort level at things like expression, acting, performing, etc. It's a great way to get in the habit of putting emotion in your dance.
I do have to do some refresher work when I go back to my regular lessons, but it's well worth it. My overall dancing improves because of it.
And it's tons of fun!
I do have to do some refresher work when I go back to my regular lessons, but it's well worth it. My overall dancing improves because of it.
And it's tons of fun!
Mengu
Forum Master
I think the opportunity cost of a showcase also depends on the dancer's experience... For a beginner, the opportunity cost is much larger, because they will be spending a significant amount of time on just getting choreography down. On the other hand, for an advanced student, the opportunity cost is negligible to nothing, and they spend most of their time working on technique they would be working on anyway. Just something to consider.
ceterisparibus
Member
I really love showcases. I know I'm never going to be the world's most technically proficient dancer, but I love being able to tell a story and entertain through my dancing. I wish pro-am showdance was more of a thing (rather than being a graded "solo" at most competitions). (Not counting theatre arts, which seems to be mostly lifts, drops, and aerials.)