i was thinking of the lights themselves.  they're the main part i'm struggling with.  i don't need a lighting rig, not yet at least.  most of the dance images i've seen online and my experience of watching performances is that the larger setting isn't the point, just the stage.  so really, a material for the ground plane and maybe a white screen/ backdrop would be perfect for the type of images i'm thinking of.  and i definitely wasn't wanting perfect mirrors.  the scuffing and blurring is definitely necessary. 

thanks everyone for the information; it's very helpful.