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Dear Proud,
Your teachers are correct that the stretch marks (or any other
obvious scars) would probably distract some audience members.
But is that important? Maybe, maybe not. It depends on whether
you aspire to getting paid to do nightclub gigs, bellygrams,
and private parties, or whether you are content dancing just
for joy. Also, it depends on whether you are dancing in an intimate
setting (for example, a restaurant in which you're dancing between
the tables where the audience can get a close-up look at you)
or a more removed setting where you are on a stage and the audience
is some distance away from you.
As adults, our bodies come with histories. We have histories
of injuries, pregnancies, and surgeries. As dancers, we must
consider those histories, both in terms of how we move and also
in terms of what we choose for costuming. The key is to make
peace with whatever our bodies have endured in the past, accept
what they are in the present, and adjust for them as necessary.
How Do You Feel About Those Scars?
First, don't let your scars keep you from enjoying the dance.
Whether you are a hobbyist or a professional, you can dance in
spite of the scars.
If your scars make you feel self-conscious, then you probably
should find a way to cover them. If you're self-conscious about
your appearance, then you won't be able to give your full attention
to your dancing, and therefore you won't dance as well.
But if you feel neutral about them, or if you're proud of
them, then you don't have this as a reason to look for ways to
disguise or cover them. From your letter, it sounds as though
your scars are not inhibiting your ability to dance freely when
you perform.
Do You Aspire To Be A Pro?
If you aspire to becoming a paid professional dancer, performing
in nightclubs and delivering bellygrams, then you will need to
find a way to cover or disguise those scars, either with costuming,
jewelry, or makeup. People who pay for a professional dancer
expect the illusion of glamor, and scars don't fit the glamorous
image.
People expect a different standard from a paid professional
versus a hobbyist. This is just as true for Oriental dance as
it is for painting, music, or any other art form.
If you want to represent yourself as a professional dance
artist, you'll need to conduct yourself as one, and that goes
for paying attention to your appearance as well as your dance
quality and business practices.
In other words, boldly letting vivid scars shout, "I'm
here! I'm here!" when you dance will probably inhibit your
ability to get professional dance jobs. See below for suggestions
on options for how to cover or disguise them.
But What If You Just Dance For Fun?
If you aspire only to having a good time dancing in student-level
performances such as nursing home performances, belly dance events,
student recitals, etc. then do whatever you please. Your teacher
has done her job in giving you reasonable advice, but only you
can decide whether following that advice is right for you. If
you don't like her suggestion of a body stocking, you might try
challenging her to suggest another alternative--maybe she'll
come up with another idea that you do like better! Once
she has given you her recommendations, thank her graciously and
sincerely for her input, give it due consideration, and decide
for yourself what (if anything) to do about it--just as you would
do with any other advice. If you decide to take no action on
her comments about the scar and she mentions it again, just smile
pleasantly and say, "I've thought about it, but decided
that leaving my midriff bare is what's right for me. But thanks
for wanting to help me!"
I should warn you, however, if you should decide to take no
action on your teacher's advice, she may decide to not offer
you the same types of performance opportunities she offers her
other students. Some teachers are very particular and offer troupe
membership or solo performance opportunities only to students
who meet their criteria for how a dancer should look/dance/behave.
You have the right to refuse to cover your scars. She has
the right to exclude you from some performance opportunities
she may make available to her other students. Keep that in mind
as you weigh what you want to do, and make sure you're ready
to accept the consequences of your decision, whatever it may
be.
So, What Can You Do About Those Scars?
Start by honestly assessing just how visible, how obvious
those scars are. If you got them 20 years ago and they've faded
to being rather faint by now, maybe they're not a major issue.
But if they're still very vivid and contrast dramatically with
your skin color, then artfully covering or disguising them is
probably a good idea.
For what it's worth, body stockings aren't the only way to
minimize the effect of scars. Maybe one of these ideas will be
more appealing to you than the body stocking you've considered:
- Some dancers wear belly dance costumes that look like elaborate
evening gowns, dripping with beaded fringe, instead of the bra/belt
ensemble. In the photograph to the right, well-known dancer Morocco
from New York City is wearing one of these beaded confections,
and she doesn't even have any scars on her midriff that need
covering! These dresses are modeled on traditional Middle Eastern
garments, but have been modernized and made glittery for stage.
- Look for body makeup that is designed to cover scars. You
may have to shop around a bit, but it does exist! One brand name,
Dermablend, is sold in department stores such as J.C. Penney.
Even if the general shape of the scar is still visible after
you put the makeup on, it will probably reduce the level of contrast
between the scar's color and that of your neighboring skin, and
therefore make the scar less obvious.
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- One dancer I know who has a horizontal scar on one side of
her abdomen used make-up to draw a sword design right on top
of it. Eventually, she got a permanent tattoo there of a sword
so that she wouldn't have to keep drawing it every time she performed.
It looks very elegant, and audiences often comment favorably
on it.
- Dancers who prefer a folkloric look may wear a tunic top
that comes just below hip length, with their belt worn over the
top. This may be paired with either a skirt or pantaloons.
- If you prefer the two-piece bra/belt set, you might consider
adding a stomach drape to your costume. This is jewelry or beaded
fringe that attaches to your dance bra and covers your stomach.
You can make your stomach drape from fringe, beads, coins, glittery
fabric, or other materials that suit your costuming style. This,
too, is popular among dancers who don't have scars, so you'll
be right in style with everyone else if you go this route! Many
people call these drapes "tummy flutters" because they
can accentuate your stomach rolls and flutters.
- If you have a surgical scar (or injury) on your upper back,
then perhaps long hair (a wig, maybe?), a vest, or a headdress
that hangs down your back will provide attractive coverage.
You have a number of choices on what to do. Just decide what's
important to you, and then act accordingly.
--Shira |
