FITTING THE GO-GO ROLE: TIPS, TRICKS & DEALING WITH REJECTION
Hello *new* readers! My name is Jennifer and this is my first article for the Modern Go-Go blog. The first topic I'd like to share my thoughts on is how to deal with rejection. It happens! Some performers will deal with it more often than others and there are lots of reasons why. There are many 'types' of GO-GO dancing jobs with various requirements so don't be upset if you don't 'fit the role' every time. Here are some tips on how you can continue to pursue your GO-GO dream even if you encounter some bumps along the road.
At auditions, gigs and meetings you should always have the tools you need to do your job correctly or to land one!
Many entertainment companies or venues will ask that you provide your own costume basics. For companies I've worked for, I've been asked to purchase the following:
*professional nude fishnets (Capezio, Danskin, etc)
*knee/thigh high GO-GO boots in black and white (stilettos & Camels)
*black booty shorts
*push up bra in black, white, nude
*thong in black, white, nude
*ponytail hair extension
*faux eyelashes
*sequin bras in various colors
Not having these basics with you at gigs often results in you getting yelled at, being asked to go home and not work that night, being taken off the schedule in the future, fees or termination. I would HATE to lose my gas money because of fees for not bringing my nude fishnets. Designate a rolling duffle bag/luggage/backpack as your 'gig bag' so you can easily keep all your GO-GO essentials in once place.
There are many other useful things you could bring along to gigs that may not necessarily be required but you'll be oh-so-happy you brought anyway. Your lesser-prepared performer friends will thank you too!
Here is what I bring to every gig:
Costume basics, bobbi pins, safety pins, hair ties, deodorant, Febreeze, shimmer lotion, makeup & brushes, dry shampoo, hand towel, makeup remover wipes, extra socks, business cards, wig cap, tampons, cell phone charger, watch, mini first aid kit, body spray, ear plugs, drivers license, silver and gold accessories, a comfy outfit and shoes to change into or cover up.
For festivals and out-of-town gigs you should bring things like sunscreen, bottled water, other toiletries, camping gear, bug spray, a jacket, rain boots, umbrella, (I could go on and on). There is nothing worse than being unprepared for inclement weather at a festival.
Carefully read the info provided about the audition/casting. Don't bother the people running it by asking them questions that they tried to avoid answering because they already provided that info. That is not how you want to make a first impression is it? Show up to the audition (on time!), looking amazing, SMILING, with everything they asked you to bring. You never know when an awesome opportunity will pop up so already have these things lying around (aka more time to primp before audition): head shot, 2-3 full body shots (front & back), current resume, bio, simple 2-piece GO-GO costume & boots/heels (costume basics). Some times at auditions you will be asked to show off a flashy costume or character but for the most part they want to visualize how you will fit into the production so a flattering, basic costume is often most appropriate.
Another thing to keep in mind is that you should be 'stage ready' at all times. That means you should be confident with your body, skills and tools at all times. Be ready to rock the stage at a moment's notice! I was once booked for one of the biggest gigs I've ever done the day of the event.
Every GO-GO, even the best GO-GOs you can think of have dealt with rejection before, even from people they ended up working with later on or currently! If you audition for a gig and don't get picked, don't immediately say to yourself "OMG they hate me, they think I'm fat, they don't think I'm pretty, I'm not a good enough dancer, etc" especially if you are not already affiliated with the team/company/production. Realize that when they hire you, they are confident you will be representing yourself, the team/company, promoter and event well. The person telling you that you weren't picked may not necessarily be the person who decided you were not picked. Often there are people even above them who are the final decision makers. They may have a different vision for or needs from the performers hired based on what else is already part of the production/event as a whole. For instance, the costumes for the event may already be finalized or made, possibly to fit a specific theme. Performers who will wear those costumes well are more likely to be chosen. With the rising popularly of dance music and concerts/festivals where GO-GO dancing is most appropriate, I see a trend in the booking process . At auditions/castings they are not always looking for just pretty girls who can dance. The focus may be on finding performers similar to performers who were already chosen before the audition/casting took place, fit the role of a preference/special request of management/artists involved or theme, performers who are multi-talented, and so many other things. Think of it as auditioning for an acting job. When you are hiring someone to play a specific role, the look and talents of those auditioning will be carefully considered. I have stayed busy for the past few years by being diverse with my talents and look. I can go from Barbie to zombie easily. I can GO-GO dance, hoopdance, fire hoop/eat fire and provide/perform with other props like ostrich feather fans. Now if only I could add stilt walking, pole dancing and aerial acrobatics to that...
If you audition and are told you didn't get the job it may hurt your ego a little bit but unless you did something really unprofessional or were very unprepared it is worth taking another shot at later down the road! You just might be the perfect fit for their next event/production/booking. Thank them for the opportunity to submit/audition and try again next time. First impressions can make or break you.
#3 BE THE THREE Ps (POLITE, PUNCTUAL, PROFESSIONAL)
Be polite to EVERYONE. Even those you might mistake for 'creepers' could very well be someone of potentially great importance to you. Nightlife people hang out with other nightlife people. Don't be surprised if you rub elbows with your next client while grabbing a bottled water from the bar. Do you have you/your company's business card ready?! However, if someone is harassing you, touching you or making you uncomfortable get security to handle the situation immediately.
Be punctual. The greatest GO-GO disasters I've seen were the result of dancers being late.
Be professional. Take your work seriously. Take care of your look. Don't 'step on people's toes'. Never pull a no call/no show (probably the most common reason for immediate termination). Be available via e-mail/text. Have your own reliable transportation. Do not cause drama of any kind. Choose your gigs wisely and be the best damn GO-GO you can be!
How many gigs did you try to get you/your company today? Did you practice dancing today? Is there a sale at the fabric store?! It is not enough to just look good and perform well. This is a very competitive industry and you want all the fun gigs right? Work hard and separate yourself from 'part-time-just-trying-to-get-through-college-GO-GOs' so that you get noticed!
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Jennifer Dobrydnia (aka Jen Web) is a Philadelphia based dancer specializing in GO-GO, hoop dance and fire performances. Over the past 6 years she has performed at many of the hottest nightclubs, music festivals, casinos and concert events from DC to upstate NY. Currently a manager and performer at Jewelz Entertainment, Jen explores her love for all things GO-GO while assisting with booking, costume creation, and more. Jen also writes about her travels and life as a performer on her blog, Modern GO-GO. You can catch Jen performing on many different stages this year as she expands out West to work with some of the largest entertainment companies in the country.
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