Speaking with intention

How to communicate verbally when dance is without words.

“As a performer I could dance in front of a thousand people and would feel butterflies. To speak in front of a thousand people is a totally different animal”

Explaining yourself, your story the stage in a clear concise and relatable manner is not as easy as it sounds.

How do we learn to speak

As dancers we are taught to keep pulled up and mouths closed... All of our expression comes through the movement and steps, specifically that someone else shows us to do. So how do we communicate vocally. Here are a few key strategies that have helped me get through.

Demonstration on stage at Centrepointe Theatre

When presenting always know your audience. Who are you speaking to? What would you like them to know about you / your production... Keep it short, within reason... With this new "instagram" generation getting your point across in a "timely" manner you will have a better chance of keeping your audiences attention.

Know your material... I mentally run through what I am going to say starting the week before. Keeping hold of key points I'd like to make. I don't memorize my material as I would get stuck on the words instead of the flow of the thought. The night before visualize how it's going to go, I let it roll around in my head and begin to articulate the words I'd like to say.

The moment before I step out on stage I take a deep breath and remember, the audience is there to support you. That's love... I take a deep breath, spray some peppermint and walk out stage like it's my living room and I have my best friends over for a glass of wine.

#Ballet #Choreographer #Dance #demonstration #lifeofachoreographer