Cabaret vs. Stage
By: Donna
Professional
Middle Eastern Dancer/Instructor
(USA East Coast - Philadelphia Based)
Arguing between cabaret or stage has been a long debate over time involving different types and style of dancers in Middle Eastern dance. Which is better? Which requires more skill? Which would better please an audience? Who is the better dancer? Truth be told – both styles require an incredible amount a skill and performance value. Each in its own right has positive and negative aspects. Some feel that stage performers are too serious with an air of superiority whereas a cabaret dancer exudes a light playful side with extemporization precision and vivacious crowd interaction. However there are those that feel the freestyle, unrehearsed performance looks sloppy and not detailed, whereas the stage performer has every beat and move memorized and perfectly executed. Discipline and hard work are required for either style you prefer and ultimately it does come down to the audience’s choice of which show best suits which crowd.
To break them down let us examine each style in its own right without comparison and judgmental attitude. Cabaret shows are done in restaurants, nightclubs, fairs, banquet halls or any place that requires a show on a personal level and does not involve the dancer being above the crowd on a platform for the entire show. Cabaret involves a lot of audience participation and you must have the ability to draw a crowd in with your performance, style, smile and attitude. The Middle Eastern dancer has always held an air of mystery about her when she is performing, it is important to keep that mystery and sensual grace while you entertain and interact with the audience. It is more likely (but not limited) that a cabaret audience will expect a light and good-natured show involving fast lively movements for the majority of the show; given that the audience members will probably not be too familiar with the roots of Middle Eastern dance. In a cabaret setting, as a dancer, you must be more than just a great dancer; you must have the ability to draw in a crowd which can be difficult at times. Contrary to some belief cabaret style of dance does require a lot of skill and knowledge of music, movement and the ability to assess your audience within the first few moments of your appearance. You must have the capability to change your show or direction at any instant and still stay with the musical expression. You must have the ability to interact and know when to invite people to join in the show, to bow and exit, to expect the unexpected, to handle yourself in any situation that might arise and always maintain a grace of illusiveness with a smile. Many cabaret dancers will perform to music they have never heard previous to their performance, requiring the ability to move directly with the music through its artistic expression. Cabaret dance is almost always very cheerful and requires a smile rather than dramatic posses and sultry expressions. This type of dance style encourages you to interact with the dancer as audience participation is always welcome with discretion. Props are always a great addition to any show and zils are one of the most common if not required props for cabaret. Veil, fans, fan veils and at times Isis Wings are added into the beginning or middle half of the performance. You should try to never come out with more than 2 or 3 props per show, as a cabaret dancer you need to dance and show your skills as a dancer not just a prop queen. Cabaret shows can be exhausting as they can run anywhere from 10-45 minutes on a regular basis. A dancer needs to be able to keep her flawless motion throughout the entire performance without showing fatigue. Being able to change your show in a second or movement without losing balance and the beat of the music takes practice and skill as does the ability to entertain a crowd.
The down side to cabaret is that it is not always given the artistic label that it very much should have. Tips are accepted but usually they are accepted discreetly in a non-lewd manner. Tipping is a polite way to show your appreciation of the dancer's talents. Most times you may either tip in the arm bands, sides of the costumes belt, or simply hand it to the dancer when she has finished. Brave audience members can try to emulate the performer’s movements or create a few of their own, just remember to always keep your invited audience member respectful. This can sometimes become a problem in which case it is perfectly acceptable to bow and walk away to another area if possible. Another downside to cabaret shows is many dancers do not get to fully exercise their skills because they cater their performance to what would best please the crowd. This does not make their skills nonexistent or in any way inadequate and most times when you see a cabaret performer on stage they are magnificent. It is much easier for a dancer to go from performing cabaret to stage than from stage to cabaret.
Stage performers are elegant, elaborate and dramatic. Stage performers attempt to make the music come to life before an audience that usually has an understanding of the Middle Eastern dance. Stage shows are usually performed on an elevated setting so that there is no interaction, other than eye contact, with the audience. Stage performances are used in competitions, shows and festivals. Usually every piece of music is carefully choreographed and rehearsed from start to finish. Given that this style of Middle Eastern show does not focus on the audience, the dancers tend to be more dramatic and add emotion into their shows. If there is a sad forlorn piece of music the performer can express the music’s drama allowing a well crafted show that can emulate all sides of this expressive dance. Prop’s such as fire, swords, canes and Isis Wings are best done on a stage setting as you have much more room to move and less chance of an audience member getting injured or causing you to lose balance. Any time you perform with a sword or fire you need to be above careful no matter how well trained you are. You also have a better ability to remove and set down the prop you wish to discard. Stage performances are not usually as long as cabaret shows, however they are detailed. A normal stage performance can last anywhere from 5-30 minutes, although it is rare if they exceed 20 minutes per dancer. Another great advantage to stage performances is the ability to have multiple dancers at once, or troupes, perform in sync or in a line. Having the extra room to move can allow for all the members to have their space and room for full movement completion. You can also see the definition of togetherness that is better required when a stage setting is present. Cabaret dance tends to involve tight confined spaces whereas with stage performances you have room to spread your Isis Wings and not be confined to a small area. Floor work is also a great addition to a stage setting as the audience can still see the dancer and her movements from any angle. Floor work is rarely seen in cabaret shows but on a stage the audience can really appreciate the integral work and strength needed for many of these complicated movements.
The down side to stage performances is that the audience members are often limited to those that already have an understanding of the Middle Eastern art and appreciate its details. While choreography is a great skill to show most stage dancers find it very unnerving to perform without it especially on a stage. Competitions can be great but often times the audience favorite (people’s choice) is not the winner. Many dancers find they are very nervous just because the stage setting can be very intimidating, whereas a cabaret show is more relaxed. Stage shows are usually a bit slower keeping the attention to detail and not energized gyrations. Placing focus on details and dramatic expressions at times can takes away from the meaning of dance – freedom of musical expression set to movement.
It is always smart for a dancer to learn at least a portion of both sides of the performance aspects. As a performer you never know what your next show will be, where it will be, who will be there or what it might entail by request. Everyone has their preference and criticisms of what they like and dislike about each style but in the end we are all Middle Eastern dancers working to bring this age old, timeless performance to new and returning audiences. Never let your fears stand in the way of your dreams – dance!