Lessons learnt during one "family day"

Haaa!!! I've finally got some time to sit here and type some pent-up thoughts.

The past Sunday was the culmination of some observations, as I was involved in a performance for a "family day" of sorts for an MNC. I've learnt that...

... dancers aren't very important to your corporate organisation, even you have planned the events around the dance performances.

... you can tell your performers to come early in the morning and wait for 2 hours before the event starts, and not to worry because you will provide breakfast for them, but you don't really have to keep that promise and after they have arrived, you can tell them to go outside and buy their own breakfast.*

... it's OK to keep your crew and performers (inclusive of dancers and clowns) hungry, long after the public has been fed. And since they're all in the same area, just dump all the food in one area and let them fight among themselves for what little food you've provided. Anyway, it's not like you're providing that little, you are providing second and third rounds. It's not your fault if there is a long delay after the first round.

... you can contract freelance performers, pay them a pitiful amount, give them about one month's notice, make last-minute changes, and expect them to do just as well as international performers who do this for a living.

... you can have many "dance" competitions in the same event. First, blindfold the participants and get them to boogie like mad chickens (The whole idea of a blindfold is to keep them from recognising people who might recognise them). Nevermind that you've already told your performers to hold a mini-dance competition. Since they're coming on second, it makes them look bad that they're having a similar contest.

... the emcee/deejay can come to the event late, even if it's just a one-day event. Don't worry, there will be someone there to fill in for you. The show still must go on, it doesn't matter who starts it.

... 100 people (by pre-registration only) are enough to have a carnival for. It doesn't have to be a very exciting one, just put a few games up under the tents, and get some dancers and clowns to keep them entertained. You can charge per head including the kids... and they'd still pay!

This is arguably one of the worst events I've performed for, what more for an MNC, and as a performer, one of the worst treatments I've received. For the latter, I can't help wondering if it's because we didn't have a very strong and experienced leader though. I'm not saying that we've had a bad leader, but leadership does come with experience. For most of my previous performances, I was with my dance team who was under the management and de facto leadership of my coach who has had more than 18 years' experience as a dancer, teacher, and performer. It is definitely the responsibility of the organiser who contracted the performers to take care of them, and to make sure they are informed about the events and that they are at least fed as promised; but few people know what it's like to be a performer - they think that dancers can perform on the spot (without warming up/without food/straightaway after food/etc). Then the responsibility lies on us to educate them about what we performers need or want so that they are aware of our requirements. Otherwise they're going to roll into one event after another year after year, staying the @$$holes that they are, none the wiser.

Why didn't I step in and plead our cause? Because I'm not the leader here, and I don't want to cut in on someone else's position. ........ OK, OK, I'm also not very experienced. But I'm learning all the time.

* Fortunately our breakfast was paid for by them. It's still a cause for grouse though.