Running a troupe is a lot of hard work, and for this interview, I thought I’d get the perspective of someone who is just opening a new club. 🙂
SL Name: Kismet Coy
Display Name: Kismet Coy
Rez Day: November 5, 2011
Name of troupe/group: Kit Kat Club and Cabaret (also Lady Garden Cabaret and The Luxe)
Questions:
What led you to/How did you start dancing in SL?
KC: I saw my very first Burlesque show at Ellie’s Burlesque Club 6 years ago and never knew anything like it existed in SL. I decided that I wanted to do that. Ellie’s had a ‘So You Think You Can Burlesque’ contest and chose me as the winner and took me on as a permanent dancer. I had never danced before so it was very exciting to be a part of that group.
How long have you been dancing?
KC: 5 years in total.My beginnings at Ellie’s were on another avatar.
How much time, on average, do you spend in SL each week?
KC: Between 20 and 30 hours, sometimes more.
What made you decide to start a dance group?
KC: I had a Club after Ellie’s went on sabbatical. I love burlesque and dance in SL. I wanted to keep the group together and I did for awhile. Things in SL change and grow and recently my friend who owns an RP SIM, Eridan, wanted a club to have OOC events and asked if I would set up a burlesque theater. It has proven difficult to find dancers, but we are still fairly new (only a month or so) and I am working on that.
Do you have your own theatre/venue? If yes, what is the most difficult thing about owning a venue?
KC: I think the most difficult thing for me has been trying to find dancers and getting established initially. It takes a few months to a year to really get established and have a following.
What’s the hardest part of running a successful dance troupe?
KC: Finding reliable, committed dancers seems to be the toughest part of owning a dance venue. One you get a solid group though, it all falls into place and works out.
Has it been difficult to find dancers for a new venue?
KC: I find it to be difficult, yes. Dance Queens is a great resource, though and BabyPeavonphoenix bikergrrrl, the moderator, is wonderful to work with. She helps above and beyond.
What kind of shows does your troupe do? (ie – variety shows, shows with a theme or storyline, etc.)
KC: I dance once a month at The Luxe and it’s burlesque themed. Same with The Lady Garden. I try to make the set, the music, and the costumes all fit to tell a story. Sometimes I will emote a story with it.
How much time, on average, do you spend on a new production/show?
KC: I have put together sets in a matter of hours with good working ideas. I have also spent 3-4 months building one set once because I needed to figure out the scripting.
Do you do multiple performances of the same show? If yes, explain the reasoning behind it.
KC: I try not to do multiple. I create a new set for each show I do because I love to build and create that way. We did a “Best of” show at The Lady Garden and that is the only time I have repeated a set.
Does your troupe rehearse before a performance? If yes, how often?
KC: The only time I rehearse with others is when I do a set with another performer or group. We will rehearse to get the set just right and the choreography. For the most part I am rehearsing while I build. I will do a final run through before a show, though.
How long does it take you to create a set (from start to finish)?
KC: It depends on whether or not I can get an idea to work. Sometimes a few hours are all I need; other times I need months.
Name your ‘go-to’ store for dance animations.
KC: I love Abranimations and Henmations, those are my go-to places. I do have some dances from My Animation as well.
What dance HUD do you primarily use? Why?
KC: I use the Barre Dance HUD. I like that it has a record feature. I start the music and Spot On mover and record and then when I perform it allows me to click one button instead of switching between animations.
What problems/difficulties in performing group numbers are there that are not present during a solo performance?
KC: As a solo performer you are not dependent on people showing up, lol.
Do you use a movement system? Which one? Is there a reason you prefer one over the other?
KC: I have only used SpotOn.
Do you use other HUDs? What are they?
KC: I use Spot On and Barre. I did use the Hurly Burley HUD that was created by Slappy Doobie intially 5 years ago, but she does not make it any longer.
Do you build your own sets or work with a scripter/builder? Do you have specific team members assigned to these tasks? How do you decide who does what?
KC: I do all my own building and scripting, though I will work with Syn Beresford when we do a duo act. She likes to build the set and I do the choreography.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten about dancing?
KC: Wear Paisley shoes. That way if you puke on them no one will notice. I used to get very nervous before dancing. I still do at times.
Do you emote? Why or why not?
KC: It depends on the music I chose. Sometimes I do, sometimes I let the music and dance tell the story.
Where do you find your music?
KC: All over. I have very eclectic taste in music; sometimes I will hear something on the radio or the internet or at a club in SL.
Do you make your own mixes? If yes, where do you find music and/or sound effects? What about voice-overs?
KC: I do not make my own.
What are your preferences when it comes to dance performances? – Large/small sets; particles/none; effects/none; faders/none; emotes/none; movers/none; lighting/none
KC: I just like to dance in SL.
What’s your favorite store for costuming?
KC: It depends on the set. Outfits typically have to fit the theme of the song so I find them everywhere.
What’s the most embarrassing or frustrating thing that has happened to you during a performance?
KC: I think things go wrong all the time. Clothes don’t come off in time, particles don’t always come on when you expect. Lag is a huge factor in whether a set goes smoothly or not. The audience doesn’t seem to notice it. Once I tried to click on my HUD and ended up in the middle of Slappy’s set during her performance. I managed to get out as quickly as I appeared, but it was very embarrassing.
Do you ever consider how an audience member’s computer setup might affect their enjoyment of your performance? (ie – particles, effects, lag, etc.)
KC: We do try to take that into consideration. I do build on an average setting.
What’s the best comment/compliment you’ve ever received about your dancing?
KC: I love to hear when people pick out specific things from my set that impressed them and tell me.
How long do you think a show should be in SL? Is there an ‘optimum’ max length?
KC: I think anything longer than an hour and people get bored. We try to limit the song length to no more than 7 minutes and typically no more than 5 dancers.
Do you have a blog/SL group/website/flickr/facebook/other account you’d like to share?
KC: I blog a little – Virtually Situated. And take pictures – Flickr.
What’s the most helpful piece of advice you would give someone new to dancing in SL?
KC: Keep learning everything you can. And just get out there and do it.
Where is your favorite spot to spend time in SL if you are not dancing?
KC: I love spending time at Elysion. Syn Beresford has the best themed parties on Saturday evenings.
what is one thing you’d like to see ‘arrive’ in SL dance? (Something that is not currently possible.)
KC: I would love to be able to drag and drop things like I can on my desktop, lol.
I have seen Kismet dance at LGC, so I’m excited to see her dance at other venues!
The Luxe dancers will also be dancing at the Burlesque Fashion Fair (it opens on Feb.1).
The performance will be Feb. 8th at 12PM SLT at the Luxe Theater on the Les Reves sim.
Please Note: The Luxe Theater located at Elysion Adult Lounge on the Les Reves Sim, which is a members only lounge/sim.
However, for the duration of the performance the Luxe and grounds will be open for all to enjoy and attend . . . so come enjoy!!
I will certainly be attending, so mark your calendars now for this ‘don’t miss’ event. 🙂
A huge thank-you to Kismet for taking time out of her busy schedule to let me interview her!
A Kat and A Mouse 