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Beginner Musical Theater Lesson Plan- Across the Floor

Type:

Teacher article

Category:

Dance Teachers


Below are three of my favorite beginner across the floor exercises to get you started or change up your own warm-up. Try varying music choices from swing, to Latin to classic Broadway show-tunes & pump up the energy in class!

Exercise #1: Jazz Walks & Battement Combo:
4, “Tip & Bevel” Jazz Walks 1-8
2, Battements front-R & L 1-4
Battement R leg to second (pivoting and facing mirror- be careful of hip placement as the dancer transitions to position) 5,6
Chainé, dig 7,8 (Make sure dancers end in a nice bevel position out of the chainé)
Repeat

Progression:
Add relevé to the battements
Add arms
Add a pirouette (s) instead of the chainé

Exercise #2: Lindy Kick-outs & Pirouettes
In demi plié, 4 lindy/jive kick-out flicks traveling. Opposite arm shoots out with leg 1-8
2, parallel first jumps straight up with arms shooting up 1-4
Step, 5
Prep 6
Pirouette 7,8

Progressions:
Change direction with every kick-out to work on spotting
Add a more challenging jump in the second set of eight such as a barrel turn, sissone, x jump, firebird, etc.
Add multiple pirouettes

Exercise #3: Traveling Combo combining above exercises
Start with sugars traveling either straight or in a circle. 1-8
Jazz Walks (walking forward) 1-4
Jazz Walks walking side, facing mirror with arms extended 5-8
Two battements front 1-4
Step pirouette 5-8
Kick-outs 1-4
Parallel first jump with arms shooting up 5,6
Chainé dog and bevel 7,8

Author

Jess Stafford

Jess Stafford

Jess Stafford is a native New Yorker and has her MA in Dance Education from NYU. She also earned a BFA in dance performance from UMASS Amherst. Following a wonderful professional dance career, Jess now teaches and choreographs nationally and internationally, bringing her love of movement and creating to all her classes. Jess’ favorite performance credits include: The National Tour of Guys & Dolls, The European Tour of Grease, West Side Story, Cabaret, Sweet Charity, Salute to Dudley Moore at Carnegie Hall, guest-dancer with the World Famous Pontani Sisters and IMPULSE Modern Dance Company. She has been on faculty for the Rutgers University Dance Department, Perichild Program at Peridance and was Company Director at Steffi Nossen School of Dance. Jess has also taught creative movement therapy in Uganda and was a featured instructor at the Queen's Kampala Dance School. She has conducted workshops for the cast of LA REVE at the Wynn, Las Vegas and has been on faculty at the IDS International Dance Teacher Conference at The Royal Ballet, MPower Summer Dance Intensives and annual Dance Teacher Web Conferences. Jess has also served as Master Teacher & adjudicator for various dance competitions. She is the Chief Editor and contributing writer for the DanceTeacherWeb.com blog and is also an original in-house Dance Teacher Web faculty member. Jess’ latest venture has called her to become a Board Certified Integrative Health Coach, 500HR RYT and RPYT. She is also the creator of her private practice, Rebel Wellness. Her latest passion project includes creating the “BE WELL” Yoga + Wellness School and Dance Studio Program, which fosters mental health & emotional wellness for today’s youth. www.rebelwellnessny.com

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