The Bellahdi Dance Troupe pulled up the curtain on their workshop student dancers at their recent showcase, Christmas Chaotica. Photo: Supplied.
Cooktown’s newest burlesque dancers are walking a little taller after overcoming stage fright as student performers at the Bellahdi Dance Troupe Christmas in July showcase.
After a six-week workshop series, community ladies from their 20s to 60s donned their high heels and Santa hats when they joined the Bellahdi dancers on stage for their second self-produced show, Christmas Chaotica, on 11-12 July.
At the beginning of the workshops, troupe leader Jasmine “Madam Maeham” Sieverding told Cape York Weekly that everyone had the choice to perform or not, and many were hesitant, but by the end of the six weeks, all dancers had gained confidence and were keen to show off what they had learned.
Pasha Lynch was one of the students who were not initially enthusiastic about performing, but said the support of her fellow dancers helped her find the confidence to let loose under the stage lights.
“I’m a lot older than all the other people who were dancing, so the age thing came into it,” she said.
“I’m in my 60s, so it was like, can I do this in my 60s, but then I thought, why not, why has there got to be an age limit on having fun?
“I think it was the group wanting to do it together, but also, the whole Bellahdi Dance Troupe, they were just amazing, they were there for us 100 per cent.”
Ms Lynch said the workshops and performance had been an incredible opportunity to connect with people she would not have normally engaged with.
“Women, we tend to have our own group of friends, and we don’t tend to make new friends as we get older,” she said.
“This gave me an opportunity to get to know so many new people, local people, that I’ve only seen in the street before, and I now feel very accepted as part of a bigger group.”
Trudie Culleton was one of the few dancers who were eager to perform from the beginning, describing herself as someone who has “never been a shy person”.
“I’m not an introvert, I like a challenge, I like to give things a go, and I’m not one that has ever really been worried about what other people think of me,” she said.
“It’s about what I want to do to make myself feel good, and also to learn, because when you learn new skills, you’re developing as a person.
“Also, overcoming stage fright is something that we all have to do … it doesn’t ever go away, but it’s when you’re finished and that sense of achievement, it’s overwhelmingly wonderful to know that you’ve done it, and you’ve done it really well.”
Ms Culleton said she dedicated herself to practicing the moves during every spare moment she got, so that when it came time to take the stage, she could simply let go and enjoy the moment.
“I didn’t have to think about where my feet needed to go and where my hips were supposed to be at any given point when the music was playing,” she said.
“Jasmine, she was a fantastic educator, because she staged it really well; she taught us move by move, and through repetition, we perfected those moves in time with the music, and then it just flowed.”
Ms Sieverding said she was “unbelievably proud and super emotional” as she watched the women get on stage after weeks of dedication.
“They were absolutely amazing, so confident, so excited, so fun,” she said.
“The audience completely went off for them, and I am incredibly proud and grateful to have been a part of their journey.”
