The dance season ahead may look a little different for everyone this year. Setting numbers may take some creativity, yes, but it doesn’t mean it has to be boring or can’t be done. Time to turn it into a positive! Below are some quick tips and ideas to help you jump start into choreography season. With a little thinking out of the box, we’re sure to get these students dancing in pieces that are amazing and like no other!
Groupings/Formations/Transitions: The key is small group numbers this year. If you’re able to, wonderful, but if you do set a large group number, think of how you can group them. Use smaller groupings within a large group piece that are constantly transitioning. Use formations that move, are socially distant and take advantage of strategic entrances and exits.
Create concepts based on space: Spacing is the key factor this year so why not flip it on its head and use it to your advantage. Make, “space,” the focus. Examples can include but are not limited to:
a) Plane of Motion: Manipulate stationary or transitory space through the various sagittal, transverse and coronal planes.
b) Incorporate themes like: “being trapped,” growth, isolation, vastness, far & away, pedestrian movement, floor patterns, etc.
Focus on the details and emotion of choreography- Examples: on chairs, props, all hand choreography, body part isolation, dynamics, breath-work, etc.
Partnering & Lifts: While we definitely have to reimagine this one, we can still use partnering albeit a little different. Try using…Around? Under? Pass a person? Through? Over? Back to back? Opposing levels, etc….
Pick themes and music that are light, fun and joyful. Not every piece has to be dark and pensive. Try hope, joy, support, gratitude as spring points for ideas that bring some light, laughter and fun back to your studio and dancers.
Can’t wait to hear about your amazing works!
Good luck!
See you in the dance studio,
Jess
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