No one likes those little unexpected surprises that can happen at a performance! It is so much worse if you are supposed to be a professional, who is being paid for your dancing.
I am sure you have heard the horror stories....a costume piece missing or even worse breaking and possibly falling off while you are performing. Your music not playing, or crackling, popping and pausing as your trying to perform, or you forget your zills or your veil, or you didn't bring shoes and then you find out your dance floor is potentially a mine field of broken glass and muck.
You can save yourself from having these problems, it just takes a bit of preparation and foresight on your part. Of course, you cannot foresee every possible problem that could arise, but taking time to prepare can help to prevent MOST of these debilitating events from happening.
First and foremost, when you are auditioning for or booking a gig, make sure to ask lots of questions. You need to know what type of dance space you will have, how high are the ceilings, what type of floor, will there be a place for you to use as 'back stage', will you have a changing room. Find out all you can. Once you have all that info, then it is time to prepare.
Second, make sure to prepare a few days ahead of time.
Pick your music, organize your set/s and burn your CD or download it on your Ipod or what ever you use (this is all assuming you have confirmed what sort of sound system is available for you at your gig). Make sure to test play your music....ALL THE WAY THROUGH!
Pack your costume/s, and make sure you have packed every piece you plan to wear (don't forget your jewelry). I often pack extra costuming to wear (See What's in My Gig Bag). Check for tears, stains and loose clasps and hooks NOW, before you pack them. Even if they were fine the last time you wore them. Make sure it fits you properly! (There is enough to say about costume fit to fill another blog!) (o;
Make sure you have all your props together and make sure they are ready to use. Veils ironed, sword polished, zill elastic fits you properly, etc, etc, etc.
Check out your gig location, print your Mapquest directions or whatever it is you do (I have a GPS machine, and have GPS on my Blackberry, but I always print up directions anyway....because you never know what might happen). Check for how long it will take to get there and give yourself extra time to get there early!
Pack your shoes and your cover up! Don't forget your make-up and hair accessories if you use them.
Getting all these things ready a few days ahead of time will make you feel calmer and more prepared to perform with elegance and confidence.
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