Thread: Dance time that can be fit into performance slot

How much dance can one reasonably fit into a 40 minute slot? We have 40 minutes - which includes everything from chasing the performers before us off to stage to clearning everything ourselves. We have a dancer whod didn't have the time to practice for this show do the MCing. We have a number of different pieces, no costume change, but several props.

I am thinking that 30 minutes of music (in 8 pieces) is probably more reasonable than 35, right? I may need to cut one of my solos - but I'd rather do that than risk cutting our finale, which is really quite good.

Originally Posted by steffib

How much dance can one reasonably fit into a 40 minute slot? We have 40 minutes - which includes everything from chasing the performers before us off to stage to clearning everything ourselves. We have a dancer whod didn't have the time to practice for this show do the MCing. We have a number of different pieces, no costume change, but several props.

I am thinking that 30 minutes of music (in 8 pieces) is probably more reasonable than 35, right? I may need to cut one of my solos - but I'd rather do that than risk cutting our finale, which is really quite good.

Yikes -- how much clearing of the staging area will you have to do before you can actually perform? What if the group before you runs over their allotted time -- will yours be diminished or will the run over just carry on to the end of the event? Will your mc give a welcome and intro. Will each dance be individually introduced? Will there be a "wrap-up" by the mc at the end? Do any of the dances need special set up (staging, prop placement/removal, etc.).

I'm not sure 30 minutes of dance in a 40 minute slot is doable given that you might have to literally clear the equipment (and the people!..g.: ) from the group before you off the stage -- and get your own gear off the stage for whomever follows you. I'd plan 20 minutes of DANCE, and allot at least 15 minutes to mc'ing and set up/tear down time. That leaves 5 minutes for the unforeseeable -- which always, always always occurs!::eek:

Best of luck!

Thanks!

I should have said: it's a great, great event - a community art happening, where an old warehouse is turned into a gallery for 24 hours (called Art All Night). We danced there last year, and it is fabulous. But, the organizers are very laid back and told us that we may have to claim our space for a stage if we want a big stage ;-) which made me a tad concerned. They have great volunteers, though.

I cut a number, and have another one that is flexible - which I don't mind, and I will get our MC to make sure things are going promptly. We practiced where props will be and we worked on very quick transitions.