The Responsibility of Fire Performance

Let's face it, this is not an easy hobby. When playing with something as dangerous as fire, there are so many things to consider, insurance, safety, crowd control, stage layout, hazards, fellow performers, sobriety, health, prop condition, fuel, etc. etc. I guess this helps weed out those who "just want to play with fire" and those who are serious performers. 

I've had a roller coaster of emotion when working with other fire artists. Some are hard core into safety, others light up on a whim with little regard for anything. Something that set the BDFC apart in the beginning was our absolute respect for the process. 

Taking hold of the responsibility of "playing" with fire takes everyone in a group. You can't have one person who cares, and five who don't. Responsibility in this game is not just about playing safe, it is also about being a part of a business, not only eating your piece of the pie, but helping collect the ingredient, stir the bowl and bake the pie. 

Though the behind-the-scenes day to day part of the business is not of interest to everyone, and I do find this art form tends to attract an interesting mix, it is ultimately what creates the cohesive, amazing end piece that people have come to love from the BDFC. The hard work that we ALL are willing to put in helps build something that benefits our audience as well as ourselves. Performing art is about giving to your audience, otherwise we would dance for ourselves in our backyards where no one could see. We are presenting this art because it brings joy, awe, love, and a plethora of other emotions. 

We are artists. We are partners. We are business people. It is not about what we take for ourselves, but what we give to our audience.