5 Tips To Get A Dance Class Ready For A Performance
Nov 20, 2023
We have our winter recital coming up next month so I sat in on all of our classes to review and provide feedback to our instructors. For a lot of students and a few teachers, this would be their first performance. As this is the first time I'm not teaching a class, I had the time and focus to provide unbiased feedback.
After watching these classes, there were a few things that were common to all classes.
1. Expressions. We hear teachers say this all the time - "Smile"! Yet, expressions have to be practiced like any other step. It's almost always saved until the end as a default but incorporating this into the choreo can help students get out of the awkwardness and practice their confidence. So how is this done? Demonstrate the specific expression to use with the corresponding step. It should be taught as part of a routine like the choreography is taught. Facial circles are another method that can be used. This is where all dancers stand in a circle and share just the expressions they would use while their mix is playing in the background. Only expressions take place, there is no other movement. It can be awkward for them initially, but allows them to see each other and get used to doing expressions in front of someone. Don’t let expressions be the last “don’t forget to smile” right before they go on stage”. It should be practiced in class enough to become muscle memory.
2. Non working hand placement. I know we’re focused on the hand/ foot that is moving but also put emphasis on the non working limbs. Is the hand placed behind, on the leg, on the hip etc. Synchronizing this will have a great impact on the cleanliness of the routine. It's the subtle tweaks that make a routine go from good to great.
3. Full Extension. Every class has and will have some dancers who are not doing steps full out. They’re great students who know the dance but they’re concentrated on remembering and getting through the step than actually doing it correctly. Focus on getting them to do steps full out so the routine looks balanced.
4. Keep it simple. There is so much sophistication in simplicity. Focus on a clean routine with few formations versus a routine that has complex choreo where students are not able to keep up. There are so many ways to have a well executed routine and look creative without having packed choreo. This includes formations, ripples, splitting up choreo, elevations/directions (half the class doing the same step kneeling (if choreo permits) and half the class doing it standing up or half the class doing the same step facing a different direction, partner choreo etc. It's a lot more work on the instructor to get a whole class hitting every step perfectly and can start looking basic if it's a long routine.
5. Specific Run Throughs. During class, we're always doing run throughs while we practice/learn. Some students are doing it full out whereas other students are simply marking the chore. Specify what each run through should be. Is this going to be a run through where we do it full out or are we simple marking it and conserving energy. Calling it out “this time we’re going to mark, this time we're going to do it full out" will help students get into the right mindset and will allow you to gauge their energy/stamina.
We have numerous performances a year so getting all students ready quickly can be overwhelming. These are some tips that don't always come to mind during the chaos but can greatly help prepare a class to look and perform their best.
