Wendy Allen of FCBD wrote a fantastic article on what it takes to perform ATS. For anyone who wants to better understand the kind of consistency, patience, and commitment it takes, I have excerpted some of the best bits below:
“When people start taking classes in American Tribal Style dance, often one of the first questions is, ‘When do I get to join the troupe/perform?’
This is a specific format with its own vocabulary. You must learn the basics before you can advance. It’s not fair to the people who have put in the time and effort to allow inexperienced dancers into the advanced levels. Again, it’s not about you, its about the group. Keep reminding yourself of that. Make that your mantra.
If you want to perform with an ATS group, here’s what you do. Show up consistently to class. Have a good attitude, don’t be a diva. Focus, do your best to fit in with the culture of the classes. And no matter how experienced you become, always go back to Level 1 and Level 2, because in spite of what you may think, you have never learned everything there is to learn about any one move. If you think you know everything, you’re sorely mistaken. “
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