Welcome!
1001 Nights is a theatrical Middle Eastern dance performance featuring traditional, fusion and folk dances from the near east and the silk road all with a theatrical flavor.
1001 Nights Tickets - See the Show!
Join the Cast of an Upcoming Show
Open Call for Showcase Performers
We are dedicated to building dancers at all levels and creating artistry through theatrical dance.
Performing Artist FAQs
Q: What shows are upcoming?
A: There are two performance opportunities:
PITTSBURGH PA - 1001 Nights - A Bellydance Story - November 7, 2026
The show is booking for Pittsburgh, PA for November 2026. Show date is Saturday, November 7, 2026 in Downtown Pittsburgh, PA. Rehearsals are Tuesday-Friday, November 3-6, with technical crew call Monday November 2, in Pittsburgh, PA. This is the full show with all of the stories and individual contributors.
HERSHEY PA - 1001 Nights Showcase - July 11, 2026
We are also holding a 1001 Nights Showcase on July 11 in Hershey PA. Rehearsals will be held all day on Friday July 10. This will feature scenes from our current show, new choreography from the Sultan's Tale (new show coming in 2027), soloists, plus local and regional performers.
Join the Cast of an Upcoming Show
Casting for both will close April 1, 2026.
Q: Hi I'm new and want to be a Main Cast member, what do I need to know?
A: Cast Members will be assigned to ensemble, featured and lead roles and will participate in choreographies designed by Berna and other professionals. Lead and featured roles have an opportunity to create solo works within the show context.
The tuition for the whole program is $500 (can be paid in 2 installments) and covers the in person rehearsals, online instruction and feedback and access to the materials. Returning cast members are eligible for reduced tuition ($375). Directors and crew will be considered for work-study and/or honorarium. There are 2 full-tuition scholarships available.
Q: What level is the 1001 Nights program open to for Main Cast?
A: Dedicated students, intermediate, advanced and professional dancers are best suited. We have had dancers with less stage experience do well and if you are dedicated, we have the support system to help you develop. Just ask! For professionals and advanced dancers, we have opportunities to be a lead or featured performer and work on solos and custom choreography.
Q: I really want to be in the Main Cast, but I can't do both the showcase and the main show or attend all of the in person rehearsals. Can I still apply?
A: Yes! Just let us know in the details. The only MANDATORY rehearsals are the week prior (Tues-Fri) for the November show and the Friday before the Showcase. These are largely during the daytime rehearsals, so please plan to make arrangements so you can completely focus on being part of the cast.
Q: What is the training program for Cast Members?
A: The program is largely self-paced with online live zooms, training videos, and in-person rehearsals. It all builds up to the main show in a true theatrical experience. This year we also are hosting the showcase which will give dancers live stage experience during the training. You can choose how many choreographies you are interested in performing. During the training, you will be asked to provide videos of your numbers so the directors can review. We all have been part of the program and are very open to making it work. No dancer left behind is our motto and we mean it.
Q: What is the May 1001 Retreat and how does it fit in?
A: The May 1001 Nights Retreat is a separate workshop and learning weekend. Directors and choreographers will be teaching throughout the long weekend with sneak peaks of new choreographies and deep dives into some of the existing choreographies and components. Anyone can join the retreat and we encourage it for those interested in being part of the main cast or those who want a taste of the 1001 Nights. Connect with Berna or visit bernadancer.com for more retreat info.
Q: I'm a professional performer, how can I be a part of the show beyond the Main Cast?
A: We are casting Individual Contributors (ICs) for November 7 in Pittsburgh PA. There is a $100 honorarium for each number selected for the show. Our ICs usually fold into the story but have separate numbers. If you have seen our show, we have a few spots for ICs. Some are specific, the seamonster, others are more open to interpretation. Join the Cast of an Upcoming Show
We also have the July Showcase if you prefer to present a work that is not related to the story. The Showcase does not provide any honorarium or compensation. Open Call for Showcase Performers
Q: Are you doing the same show on November 7th in Pittsburgh as the November 8th show from 2025 in VA?
A: Generally, yes! As cast members and ICs might change, the show may change, but the intent is to have it be VERY close. There are planned changes for some numbers, but most should be the same.
Q: Can I apply for more than one show or as an IC and a Cast Member?
A: Yes, you can apply for any or all of these opportunities in any capacity. For example: Want to be part of the Main Cast, but want to have an outside troupe participate in the showcase? Apply for both. IC from a previous show and want to apply as IC and bring a different number to the Showcase? Apply for both. Soloist or troupe who only want to dance in the Showcase? Apply for the Showcase.
Q: What is the Showcase and how is it different from the 1001 Nights - A Bellydance Story?
A: The Showcase will be a mix of 1001 Night Stories and non 1001 dancers. You still have to apply for the showcase. It is presented in a vignette fashion without the full length story. Think of it as a festival show - All styles, lots of different performers. For the Main Cast members, we will be including group numbers and possible solos from the current 1001 Nights repertoire and the new show. Open Call for Showcase Performers
Q: New show? Oooh what is that?
A: A Sultans Tale is "part 2" of 1001 Nights and is currently being written. This show will be cast in 2027. All new main story, lots of fun new tales. The Showcase will feature some of these new pieces.
Q: I'm a director of a local troupe or soloist and I want to be considered for your shows, how do I apply?
A: Apply for the Showcase. Open Call for Showcase Performers
Also, we usually have an opening act for our November show - if you're interested leave us a note!
1001 Nights is a theatrical Middle Eastern dance performance featuring traditional, fusion and folk dances from the near east and the silk road all with a theatrical flavor.
1001 Nights Tickets - See the Show!
Join the Cast of an Upcoming Show
Open Call for Showcase Performers
We are dedicated to building dancers at all levels and creating artistry through theatrical dance.
Performing Artist FAQs
Q: What shows are upcoming?
A: There are two performance opportunities:
PITTSBURGH PA - 1001 Nights - A Bellydance Story - November 7, 2026
The show is booking for Pittsburgh, PA for November 2026. Show date is Saturday, November 7, 2026 in Downtown Pittsburgh, PA. Rehearsals are Tuesday-Friday, November 3-6, with technical crew call Monday November 2, in Pittsburgh, PA. This is the full show with all of the stories and individual contributors.
HERSHEY PA - 1001 Nights Showcase - July 11, 2026
We are also holding a 1001 Nights Showcase on July 11 in Hershey PA. Rehearsals will be held all day on Friday July 10. This will feature scenes from our current show, new choreography from the Sultan's Tale (new show coming in 2027), soloists, plus local and regional performers.
Join the Cast of an Upcoming Show
Casting for both will close April 1, 2026.
Q: Hi I'm new and want to be a Main Cast member, what do I need to know?
A: Cast Members will be assigned to ensemble, featured and lead roles and will participate in choreographies designed by Berna and other professionals. Lead and featured roles have an opportunity to create solo works within the show context.
The tuition for the whole program is $500 (can be paid in 2 installments) and covers the in person rehearsals, online instruction and feedback and access to the materials. Returning cast members are eligible for reduced tuition ($375). Directors and crew will be considered for work-study and/or honorarium. There are 2 full-tuition scholarships available.
Q: What level is the 1001 Nights program open to for Main Cast?
A: Dedicated students, intermediate, advanced and professional dancers are best suited. We have had dancers with less stage experience do well and if you are dedicated, we have the support system to help you develop. Just ask! For professionals and advanced dancers, we have opportunities to be a lead or featured performer and work on solos and custom choreography.
Q: I really want to be in the Main Cast, but I can't do both the showcase and the main show or attend all of the in person rehearsals. Can I still apply?
A: Yes! Just let us know in the details. The only MANDATORY rehearsals are the week prior (Tues-Fri) for the November show and the Friday before the Showcase. These are largely during the daytime rehearsals, so please plan to make arrangements so you can completely focus on being part of the cast.
Q: What is the training program for Cast Members?
A: The program is largely self-paced with online live zooms, training videos, and in-person rehearsals. It all builds up to the main show in a true theatrical experience. This year we also are hosting the showcase which will give dancers live stage experience during the training. You can choose how many choreographies you are interested in performing. During the training, you will be asked to provide videos of your numbers so the directors can review. We all have been part of the program and are very open to making it work. No dancer left behind is our motto and we mean it.
Q: What is the May 1001 Retreat and how does it fit in?
A: The May 1001 Nights Retreat is a separate workshop and learning weekend. Directors and choreographers will be teaching throughout the long weekend with sneak peaks of new choreographies and deep dives into some of the existing choreographies and components. Anyone can join the retreat and we encourage it for those interested in being part of the main cast or those who want a taste of the 1001 Nights. Connect with Berna or visit bernadancer.com for more retreat info.
Q: I'm a professional performer, how can I be a part of the show beyond the Main Cast?
A: We are casting Individual Contributors (ICs) for November 7 in Pittsburgh PA. There is a $100 honorarium for each number selected for the show. Our ICs usually fold into the story but have separate numbers. If you have seen our show, we have a few spots for ICs. Some are specific, the seamonster, others are more open to interpretation. Join the Cast of an Upcoming Show
We also have the July Showcase if you prefer to present a work that is not related to the story. The Showcase does not provide any honorarium or compensation. Open Call for Showcase Performers
Q: Are you doing the same show on November 7th in Pittsburgh as the November 8th show from 2025 in VA?
A: Generally, yes! As cast members and ICs might change, the show may change, but the intent is to have it be VERY close. There are planned changes for some numbers, but most should be the same.
Q: Can I apply for more than one show or as an IC and a Cast Member?
A: Yes, you can apply for any or all of these opportunities in any capacity. For example: Want to be part of the Main Cast, but want to have an outside troupe participate in the showcase? Apply for both. IC from a previous show and want to apply as IC and bring a different number to the Showcase? Apply for both. Soloist or troupe who only want to dance in the Showcase? Apply for the Showcase.
Q: What is the Showcase and how is it different from the 1001 Nights - A Bellydance Story?
A: The Showcase will be a mix of 1001 Night Stories and non 1001 dancers. You still have to apply for the showcase. It is presented in a vignette fashion without the full length story. Think of it as a festival show - All styles, lots of different performers. For the Main Cast members, we will be including group numbers and possible solos from the current 1001 Nights repertoire and the new show. Open Call for Showcase Performers
Q: New show? Oooh what is that?
A: A Sultans Tale is "part 2" of 1001 Nights and is currently being written. This show will be cast in 2027. All new main story, lots of fun new tales. The Showcase will feature some of these new pieces.
Q: I'm a director of a local troupe or soloist and I want to be considered for your shows, how do I apply?
A: Apply for the Showcase. Open Call for Showcase Performers
Also, we usually have an opening act for our November show - if you're interested leave us a note!