Bellyography: Sheline
Issue 205 / January 2006 More from this Issue
Download PDF
BY ASTARA
I decided to write the Bellyography articles when I realized the general public has a misconception regarding belly dancing or raks sharki. I wanted people to know how much work and effort goes into our art form and that we are not strippers! Within that framework, I also wanted to acknowledge the dancer/workers that ensure the success of every Middle Eastern Dance event. Sheline is one of those behind the curtain workers whose efforts make our shows run as smoothly and effortlessly as possible.
Sheline literally fell into stage managing at a major belly dance event several years ago. A stage manager was needed, and Sheline offered to help. The rest is history. She has become one of the most sought after people in our dance community. When I asked her why she likes about being a stage manager, she answered, "I love it. I love meeting the people. I love the excitement. I love the chaos of it."
From my point of view, Sheline creates order out of chaos. She is a very competent stage manager, and has coordinated events for Midnight Mirage, The Belly Dance Spring Fest, Thia's June show, Kashmir, Riverton City, Baraka, and many others.
"Word just got out. One year I worked 14 different shows," she explained. "This year I am only doing three shows-Midnight in Winter at Totem's in February, Spring Fest at the Fairgrounds in March, and Thia's June show."
"When I was six or seven, I watched some belly dancers at the county fair, and I fell in love with it. But that kind of dancing was taboo in my family. I didn't take any lessons until I was 18. I started with Kismet and then studied with Sulisha, Aziz, Raffa, and Stephanie. And although I love the dance, I really love being a stage manager."
Sheline's routine is to arrive before everyone else, check out the dressing rooms, meet with the sound and lighting people, gather the dancers' music and introductions for the show, and then coordinate the dancers' spots with the sound, lights and time.
"This dance community has so many people to meet and know, and you can experience such a diverse range of perspectives, cultures and lifestyles. I have learned so much from so many people-acceptance of people for who and what they are and respect for our differences. I have learned not only dancing from our belly dance community, but basic social skills that I use every day of my life."
At the present time, Sheline is not dancing. She has taken a hiatus from troupes and classes, and has been spending time with her husband and their three dogs. She works full time and also volunteers for the Gateway Canine Partnerships, which trains people who need service dogs how to train their own dogs. But she is still running the stage for many of us in 2006 and will be managing the stage for Midnight Mirages's Midnight in Winter at Totem's on February 3rd.
I decided to write the Bellyography articles when I realized the general public has a misconception regarding belly dancing or raks sharki. I wanted people to know how much work and effort goes into our art form and that we are not strippers! Within that framework, I also wanted to acknowledge the dancer/workers that ensure the success of every Middle Eastern Dance event. Sheline is one of those behind the curtain workers whose efforts make our shows run as smoothly and effortlessly as possible.
Sheline literally fell into stage managing at a major belly dance event several years ago. A stage manager was needed, and Sheline offered to help. The rest is history. She has become one of the most sought after people in our dance community. When I asked her why she likes about being a stage manager, she answered, "I love it. I love meeting the people. I love the excitement. I love the chaos of it." From my point of view, Sheline creates order out of chaos. She is a very competent stage manager, and has coordinated events for Midnight Mirage, The Belly Dance Spring Fest, Thia's June show, Kashmir, Riverton City, Baraka, and many others.
"Word just got out. One year I worked 14 different shows," she explained. "This year I am only doing three shows-Midnight in Winter at Totem's in February, Spring Fest at the Fairgrounds in March, and Thia's June show."
"When I was six or seven, I watched some belly dancers at the county fair, and I fell in love with it. But that kind of dancing was taboo in my family. I didn't take any lessons until I was 18. I started with Kismet and then studied with Sulisha, Aziz, Raffa, and Stephanie. And although I love the dance, I really love being a stage manager."
Sheline's routine is to arrive before everyone else, check out the dressing rooms, meet with the sound and lighting people, gather the dancers' music and introductions for the show, and then coordinate the dancers' spots with the sound, lights and time.
"This dance community has so many people to meet and know, and you can experience such a diverse range of perspectives, cultures and lifestyles. I have learned so much from so many people-acceptance of people for who and what they are and respect for our differences. I have learned not only dancing from our belly dance community, but basic social skills that I use every day of my life."
At the present time, Sheline is not dancing. She has taken a hiatus from troupes and classes, and has been spending time with her husband and their three dogs. She works full time and also volunteers for the Gateway Canine Partnerships, which trains people who need service dogs how to train their own dogs. But she is still running the stage for many of us in 2006 and will be managing the stage for Midnight Mirages's Midnight in Winter at Totem's on February 3rd.
Facebook
Myspace
Twitter
YouTube
Vimeo
RSS
Be the first to comment!
Add a comment
Please keep your comments on the subject of the article.
We will delete your comment if it is racist, misogynistic, sexist, bigoted or just plain lame.
No HTML allowed!