TIPS FOR COMPETITION
Mar 12, 2010 COMPETITION Tips & Advice
TIPS FOR DANCE COMPETITION
In my experience as a director of a successful amateur dance competition, I have found that dancers and teachers alike are looking for the inside edge on what the judges are looking for. As such, I have interviewed one of my VIP judges, from New York City, to get the scoop on how to succeed in these events.
Below are 5 tips to help amateur dancers thrive in the ever-growing circuit of dance competitions as told by Mr. Tom Richardson.
1. Performance
As a Choreographer, Dancer and Judge, I find dancers and dance teachers alike spend too much time practicing routines and perfecting the technique and not enough time on showmanship. I always tell my dancers that they have to dance with “Passion, Love and Devotion” and perform every single time in the rehearsal studio. You must be completely aware of your full presentation before entering the stage. The old saying “I will perform once on stage” is never true, and you won’t perform to your full potential. Professional dancers in rehearsal for a show must perform completely so the directors, choreographers and producers know exactly what will be on stage and you, as the dancer, are completely comfortable with your facial presentation.
QUESTION: Do you dance you fullest potential every time you rehearse or most time, or sometimes, or rarely? After reading this article, are you going to attempt to dance as if you’re at competition all the time?
2. Musicality
I find when judging, dancers and even the choreographers don’t really listen to the music and the full potential music has for them. We dancers and choreographers are music lovers and we are enriched by music that has so much depth and character and we must be able to bring that music to life with the movement, breathe and choreography. Be careful of anticipating steps because it loses its gusto and element of surprise. Sometimes the smallest movement with such an incredible accent in the music can be breathtaking. I always tell my dancers to close their eyes and listen to the music while doing choreography in their heads, and every time they always say, they hear something that they never heard before. Remember music choice is just as important as the dancer and the choreography.
QUESTION: Is the routines your practicing for choreography just a bunch of steps put together or does your routine express and represent the music you are dancing to?
3. Choreography
It is imperative as judges to not only assess the technique, showmanship and presentation of the dancer but also the choreography. Too often than not, routines are over-choreographed. Throwing in as many tricks as possible does not make an amazing piece of choreography. Transitions are often overlooked and the choreographer does not think of how and why the dancers get from A to B. Even the smallest of movements of a hand or head have to be just as important as a turn sequence. It’s always a partnership with the choreographer and the dancers.
QUESTION: The choreography of your routines do they have nice transitions, do they display techniques within your level, does it all come together nicely?
4. Story
Not only do dancers have to be amazing technicians but they must also be great actors. Telling a story is extremely important in all genres of dance. It motivates the movement and gives it a reason to move. When I am judging or simply watching a performance for enjoyment, I want the performer to entertain me and take me on an emotional journey.
Dancers who are able to do 8 pirouettes and demonstrate sheer ability in strength and flexibility are great, however, if there is no emotion and/or story, the performance gets lost. An audience member will watch the face first and then the movement but a judge will watch the face, the body and the movement together.
QUESTION: Do you exercise or practice your drama skills? Do you allow yourself to emotionally express the music you are dancing?
5. Enjoyment
Remember why you dance, it is because you have love for the art. We spend 98% of our dance lives in the rehearsal studio and only 2% on stage. We drill and work vigorously to perfect our craft and we forget about the sheer enjoyment that we get to “Dance”.
So “Live” every time you dance, spread the love of your enjoyment. It is always and honor and a pleasure to watch and judge dancers who just “live” on stage and in the studio.
FOOD FOR THOUGHTS: Think about the last line in the article “enjoyment” and think about your dedication and passion to the program and dance itself. What is it about dance that makes you attracted, what is it that you enjoy, and what makes you feel passionate about it?
STAGE MAKE UP BASICS
Mar 12, 2010 COMPETITION Tips & Advice, PERFORMANCE Tips & Advice
STAGE MAKE UP BASICS
As performers, stage makeup becomes a big part of our onstage image. We can use makeup to accentuate the facial characteristics, or to change a face entirely. Makeup is needed for stage presence and visibility of expression. Here are some tips for on stage dancers:
* Red nail polish will show up on stage as black…nix the dark nail colors.
* For general ballet stage makeup; a bright red lipstick is necessary, any other color will get washed out. You can use red glitter on your lips as well.
* Eyes need to be widened and enlarged in most ballets. The use of false eyelashes is a good way to bring them out; use on top and bottom.
* spray glitter can be used on hair, it comes out as shine on the stage.
* Be sure to follow the exact instructions of your choreographer when applying your own makeup. What looks like too much up close, is sometimes not enough for the stage.
* Makeup needs to be worn to dress rehearsal for lighting and distance review…and for simple practice!
Dancers usually carry quite a makeup kit to performances. It is a good idea to buy all the emergency and preparation items beforehand, to assure everything runs smoothly.
Some items to include are:
Bobbie pins/hair accessories
Makeup
Glitter for hair and body
Hairspray
Petroleum jelly for teeth
Hair curlers and/or hot iron
Safety pins and sewing kit
Double stick tape/glue
Bandaids and ointment
Copy of the edited stage music for practice
Extra pair of tights & pointe/jazz/tap shoes
Performers put a lot into their dance preparation, so it’d be silly to have it all go awry over some sort of preparation issue! Stay on top of it and your last minutes back stage can be focused on your choreography instead of your mishaps.
HOMEWORK:
Show and talk to your parent about make up and kits for performance (this sheet). Talk with your parents about helping you put together a make up kit for your next performance. List below all the things you put together for your make up kit. NOTE: your make up kit should be separate from your play make up or regular wear make up.
COMPETITION ADVICE from a Judge
Mar 12, 2010 COMPETITION Tips & Advice
COMPETITION TIPS AND ADVICE
Many dancers go the route of competition in their dance careers. This is a great way to gain status and recognition in the dance world. Competition newcomers need to keep a few things in mind to optimize their competition opportunities:
Pre-competition and Rehearsal Basics
When you get feedback from teachers, make sure you take it serious and make the changes. Teachers only have your best interest in mind and want to see you succeed. They have experienced this all before so take their knowledge and use it.
Make sure your pre-competition activities aren’t injury inducing. This means no snow, contact or water sports!
Visualize your routine as many times as you can pre-competition. This is great form of practice and polish.
A well-rehearsed piece should fuse together like glue. There should be no steps, only an appearance of natural movement reaction to music.
QUESTION: Do you practice your competition routines weekly and weekends?
A dancer needs to bring a good attitude to rehearsals; this isn’t about winning or losing but about doing the best this team can possibly do. Work on a positive mind frame and a feeling of camaraderie.
Everyone involved in the competition should be aware of rules and regulations before the trip is made. Everyone also needs to be aware his or her schedule needs to be flexible at this time.
Sometimes it’s important to take a break for a day or two and step away from the choreography and preparation. Let it all sink in and come with a rested and fresh perspective.
QUESTION: Review the KKZ Competition Guidelines to give you a reminder what you must achieve not only during competition class and practice but any time you are in the KKZ dance room. Are there areas you are lacking?
Creativity Counts
A good exercise is to practice opposite emotions than what is set to the choreography. This brings out such a contrast that it sometimes highlights the polar emotions.
Visualize the audience and their reaction to the piece. This needs to be interesting to people of all backgrounds and experience.
Don’t forget Dynamics! Sometimes dancers get carried away with dancing ‘full out’ throughout the entire piece. Remember to highlight the peaks and valleys so the climax will appear as so.
Try setting a particular style of dance, to an opposing piece of music. Why not try ballet movement to hip hop music or vice versa?
Remember your true passion for dance, you’re there for you, not others. Dance out of your heart and you will be a truly unique performer.
QUESTION: Do you dance in just dance style or are you dancing in full performance style?
Presentation
How a dancer carries him/herself in the presence of the judges, is important from start to finish. Walk on the stage with confidence, hold your chin up and have an honest smile of appreciation on your face. Make eye contact with the audience and judges.
Props, hairpieces and costumes should be neat and groomed as well as secured tightly. Don’t let a loose bobby pin steal the show! When it comes to competition, teams are so polished that the smallest things can make a dancer stand out negatively… make sure your hair is secured and your costume pieces are on tight!
A complete package is essential to competition. This means good costumes, music, choreography, technical skills, dancers and personality.
QUESTION: Evaluate the routines you are currently practicing for competition. Is the music something unique at the time? Is the choreography using proper moves to express the music? Is the floor being used and dancers rotate at least two-four times? Have you added at least 75% technical moves to the routine?
Make sure you speak to the dance group as well as those who will be in the audience for your group. This needs to stay professional without inappropriate outbursts from the audience. This rates poorly with the judges.
Competition is usually the highlight of the season; morale needs to stay high. Winning isn’t everything, make sure this mindset is highlighted but not to the point of relaxation. All students should reach for the gold but if they don’t win, they need to take it as a learning experience. Not everyone will place as a finalist. When the competition is over, make sure to review judges’ notes. Also watch the performance and critique as well. Practice, polish and persevere!
QUESTION: Do you attend competition only for fun, do you attend only to win, or do you attend to challenge others of your skills and use the criticism by the judges to better yourself for the next year?
LOSING: We all know losing is no fun, but let’s pretend you are at competition and you found out you lost. How will you react? Do you think being disappointed, crying, or showing emotional distress will affect the team?
IF YOU LOSE
As a team if your team or routine loses, it will be a disappointment why? Because you worked hard all year to master the routine, technical, and dramatic of your dance. However, rather than being angry, upset, and overly emotional, just remember that not everyone can win all the time, sometimes we forget that we are dancers in training, and use the criticism provided by the judges to question yourself and your team members, what you may have improved, what was lacking, was every member in the team giving their best? Simple things like smiling, showmanship, or common errors or a team member lip singing or looking at another member during the routine can simple take you from first to third or third to fifth. The most important thing of all, remember there is always the next competition and always next year. LEARN FROM YOUR PREVIOUS YEAR MISTAKES!
