Author: mythandthemuse

I’ve been a performing artist for over 30 years. I started in musical theater and now I’m a principal performer in my own company The Cabiri. Bringing my own work to the stage is my primary focus as an artist, but being part of other artists’ work is an opportunity I take whenever possible. Over the years of performing as a model and circus artist for a variety of clients, I have found myself in some pretty incredible situations including: naked and covered in flour in a cold garage, mid-costume-change reveal in a liquor storage closet, and performing my classy, elegant fabric act to (surprise!) the most raunchy song lyrics I’ve ever heard. Yes, it’s happened.

Are you thinking about inviting an actor, dancer, aerialist, or musician to be part of your next video project, photo shoot, or performance? Want to know how to make it a rewarding experience for everyone? Here are a few tips from someone who’s been there, done that, and seen just about everything go wrong and right you can possibly imagine.

Communicate the Give and Take Honestly, and Often

Performers get it. Anyone who creates creative work gets it. There are limited resources and we all want the best possible outcome. But performers deserve to know what we’re getting into before it begins. Before asking performers to be part of your project, do your best to tell us very honestly and transparently:

• The projected time commitment
• The guaranteed compensation
• Additional non-monetary compensation (e.g. credit in the final product, access to photos or footage, networking opportunities)
• What you are expecting us to provide or do (our own costume? music? makeup?)
• What you will be providing to us

Communicate often, expediently, and clearly with your performers should any of the above items change at any point in the process. Want to make your performers unhappy? Last minute schedule changes due to poor planning, reduction in our compensation, or asking us to do a lot more than what you asked are great ways to make that happen. (And we do all talk to each other so don’t assume your bad behavior towards one performer in your town won’t become news to everyone pretty quickly.)

Think Ahead, Plan Ahead, Be Organized and Prepared

Take some time before your performer shows up to the gig to talk to them about what they will need day-of. What kind of space do they need to get dressed, do their makeup, and warm up? Is it warm and well-lighted, with drinking water and light snacks easily accessible? Are there regular breaks scheduled? Do you have an adequate physical space for them to do what they need to do? How’s the floor for your dancer’s feet? Does your cellist need a chair or a stool? Has your aerialist gotten the information they need to safely rig their equipment? Will the performance or filming area be consistently the right temperature for their bodies? If you can’t provide what they need, tell them well in advance and do your best to offer an alternative.

The production schedule can also make or break your event. Performers are amazing people, but we are also human beings who need food and breaks and down time. Most of us can’t do our thing for hours and hours on end; our performance quality will decline at some point. Are you sure you need your aerialists on set for 12 hours? They certainly aren’t going to be able to dangle for that amount of time. (And no, sitting in an aerial hoop for an hour is not comfortable.) Managing your performers’ time as efficiently as possible will keep everyone happier and your project will shine as a result. Grumpy performers just don’t have the same glow as happy ones.

Give Credit, Shoutouts, and Appreciation Generously

There is nothing quite like spending hours and hours, blood, sweat, and tears as a guest in someone’s project. It is a labor of love, sacrifice, and effort no matter how much or how little anyone is being compensated. Those people onstage who can do incredible things with their bodies push themselves so hard for you, risking injury, moving rapidly toward fatigue and frustration, are giving it their all to help you realize your vision.

We appreciate the snacks, the water, the nice dressing and warmup area, and the stipend you offer us for our time. Very much. But if we’ve got a major role in your project, we also want to know that we are part of the art in your eyes, not just animated scenery to be used an discarded after the project wraps. We love it when you mention our company or our name. We love being listed in the credits. We love it when you tag our social media page or our web site. We love it when you include us every time you write or post about the project. It makes us feel included, valued, and part of the creative process – because we are. You wouldn’t be able to realize your creative vision without us, and a little thoughtfulness and respect for our hard work goes a long way.

Be Respectful

Most female performers don’t want to be called “girls” or “ladies” by the crew. We also don’t want to see you or any of your crew handling, playing with, or otherwise touching our props, aerial equipment, or instruments in a casual manner. These things are not toys – they are our livelihood, symbols of the craft we have spent years and invested so many resources honing. We need a private space to dress and undress. We should not be chastised because we need a clean, warm, space to warm up. A dirty bar storage closet accessible by everyone in the venue is not a green room. We want our time and energy to be respected by everyone involved with the project. Don’t ask us to show up four hours before you actually need us.

If you can mostly avoid these pitfalls, you’ll have performers on your project who are inspired, happy, healthy, energized, and willing to whatever they can to make it a success. And they’ll likely say yes next time you need them. Remember – you can be an advocate for the artists AND your project. They are not mutually exclusive.

Want to add anything to this? Leave a comment or get in touch with me.

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