Thread: My Stage Dynamics Notes-Thought it would help?

I am a bd nerd who likes to take notes. I made this handout for my lil group of students and with all the talk about dynamics-I thought I'd share-feel free to add more! I also use to to critique myself and try to work on a few things at a time (example: level changes one day and size variations another)

Find a piece of music that moves you. Find the lyrics online. Find the "mood" of the music and use your body to interpret it. Let the music go in your ears and out your body.
Basic Stage info
 Are you above or below the audience?
 Big stage? Small Stage?
 45 Degree/10 & 2-oclock
 Lighting (find hot spots)
 Where is your audience?
 Who is your audience?
Intro
 Remember: First impressions apply here too! Most people decide how they feel about you within the first 30 seconds of meeting you! (Another option-come in one way and change their first impression!)
 Leave time for the audience to “absorb” you
 Start on stage or off stage? Standing up or sitting down?
 How much time do you want to leave before you enter or are you starting immediately?
 What do you want the audience to see?
 Does your presentation & emotion match the song?
 Don’t drop all of your amazing movements here!
Body-
 Break it up. Most people add pizzazz at the beginning and end of their dances, but forget to add “goo” in the middle of their performances!
 Interact with the audience (make them clap, smile, etc.)
Ending-
 Do you want to be on stage when the music ends?
 Does it end abrupt or does it fade out?
 Add excitement-think climax like in a novel
Things to add to your dance:
 Remember, you don't have to do a million steps. A simple, elegant dance can have the same "wow" factor as a fast-paced performance.
 Add emotion. Ham it up. Smile, frown, fight with yourself, add a wink or eyebrow lift. Breathe body into your dance through your facial expressions.
 Are you dancing for the audience or are you putting up a “4th wall” and dancing for yourself?
 Add speed variations to movements
 Add size variations (small versus big hip circles, shimmies)
 Add height variations (sink up/down, bring arms up while sinking down, etc.)
 Add traveling steps (choo-choo's, hip lift walks, or even just walking!)
 Add accents (hip pops, locks, etc.)
 Add layers-you CAN do it!
 Watch your “lines” and direction
 Experiment with different dance styles
 Use your upper body & arms! We all tend to gravitate to just using our hips!
 Relax!
 Have fun!

Thank you for sharing! I think many seasoned dancers would go through this thought process fairly unconsciously when creating their performances - it's good to remember that students need to be taught such a thought process, especially if they've never performed or choreographed before.

What inspiring suggestions! I needed that!

Thanks! That is very helpful!

Hey, no problem!

Thanks! I am going to put this to use on a new piece of music I am working on!