Raven

Hi, Do beginners have a place in a bellydance troupe? It something I would love to do, and I am a beginner! I am so addicted to this dance and it is increasing. Currently, I am attempting to familiarize myself with my city's bellydance community, but I haven't found many Egyptian dance troupes. Tribal is very big. Hmmmmm, I guess one would need to have years of bellydance instruction in order to start their own troupe??? Thanks for your help!

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Raven

jenc

You start out dancing in events that your teacher organises for you, student shows or charity events. Bear in mind that if you start a troupe you would have to choreograph, get bookings etc, so I would imagine you have to work on it a few years first

Kharis

The thing about troupe work is that's it not about individuals, it's about performing as a collective. And it will involve lots of boring drilling and being expected to get things right and tight, and investing in costuming etc. A beginner starting their own troupe is not a good idea. You need a solid foundation before you can build anything. My advice is join a troupe that is run by an experienced dancer/teacher.

Phoebedances

Troopes are wonderful, but looking back on my own experience, I wish I'd had a few months of just basic lessons and drilling before I'd joined one. My teacher's class was basically also 'troope practice' and although I did have fun, sometimes (alot of times) it was frustrating when I wasn't familiar with a movement or was having a difficult time picking a movement up and everyone else was so far ahead of me on it.

If you're just starting out, I'd be in class, maybe also going to Haflas and get togethers and getting to know the community. You may find some fellow Eqyptian BD lovers who would like to start a troope in a few months of doing that. Also, it will let you get to know who out there is really skilled at dancing and teaching and not just trying to be a teacher when they are only a beginner themselves!

I'm sure if you give it some time, you'll find a troope that is right for you.

Jane

I tried a troupe for about two years and it wasn't for me. Don't worry if you decide you don't like it later, it's not for everyone

Paraphrased from Monty Python :

Jane: I didn't know we had a troupe. I thought we were an autonomous
collective.

Troupe member: You're fooling yourself. We're living in a dictatorship.
A self-perpetuating autocracy...