Top image: Performing at the RING Garden, NYC 

I am so happy you are interested in collaborating with me on science, dance, or the intersection of arts and the sciences. Please find below a list of ideas and issues I would love for you to think about as we work together: 

• Venue: Please describe the venue:
  • What is the shape of the room?
  • What are the dimensions of the room?
  • Where is the audience seated? 
  • Please provide pictures (with the lighting as you expect would be in place the day and time of the performance) 
  • Is the venue noisy? Is there anything happening elsewhere in the venue that would drown out the sound/ music? 
  • If outdoors, please describe the surroundings 
    • Bharatanatyam is done barefoot in a sari (or a costume), so please do not ask me to dance outdoors in rain, snow, or in inclement weather 
    • If  it is too hot, please make sure you find a space that is shaded, not just for me, but If I am doing community programming as well 
  • If there are slides please ensure there is a way to display them 
  • Describe the color scheme of the room 
    • No, saying that it is a normal room with normal lighting is not sufficient
• Audiovisual (A/V) needs
  • ​(Depending on what we are working on), do you have access to a lavalier microphone, or an over-the-cheek microphone?
  • Please describe how the music and my voice will be amplified 
  • Please provide instructions on the format of music you would like me to provide 
  • If music, please make sure that copyright rules need to be followed 
  • If you are not an A/V expert, please connect me to your contact who will be handling the A/V portion of the event  
  • If you are projecting my movement on a screen, please make sure that the camera captures everything, that the colors are not washed out, and that the details of my face and gestures are visible and clear 
• Stage
  • Please provide dimensions of the stage
  • Is the stage raised?
  • What material is the stage made of? Is it made of wood? Is it carpeted?
    • No, I cannot dance on a carpeted floor
    • No, I cannot dance on a yoga mat, or with socks on
• Practice 
  • ​Set aside time for a sound check and for time to mark the stage 
  • Please provide a clean place for me to get ready
    • No, I cannot change into a sari in a dirty toilet 
• Honorarium
  • Will you be offering an honorarium?
    • What do you need from me to provide the honorarium?
  • When can I expect the honorarium to reach me?
• Recording 
  • Please provide pictures and video you may have taken during the event in a timely manner
  • If you are recoding the performance, please work out details about how exactly you will be recording before approaching ​

---

In ending.. 

• While the the convergence of the arts and the sciences have much to offer, engaging in these forms requires considerable engagement from you, the organizer. 
• Let us make sure we don't use the arts as an after-thought, for entertainment purposes only. Please make space for the arts not only in your thinking, but in your work as your organize an event. Let us stop paying lip service to the "arts" or to "STEAM" without engaging, and providing support in a tangible sense. 
• Our society expects a lot of artists. We are expected to work with meager pay (many times, requested to perform for free, for "exposure"), in unsanitary and disrespectful situations. Please respect us, our time, and our expertise. 
• Please know that we are experts in our field and spend a lot of time making sure the performance is the best it can be, for you and your audiences.
• Please be engaged, and help us do our work better