choreographing for non-dancers

Whit · choreographing for non-dancers

So I'm supposed to choreograph some tap stuff for "The Boyfriend" but I think there's only about 3 people in it who can actually tap dance.

Hmm.. should be fun.

cabaretfreak

Good luck and just be patient

GlamorousGriz

Patience... yes. I have to choreograph something for "Children of Eden" and I have no clue how many people I have to choreograph for and what their ages/experience is... the show opens on Feb 17th and I still haven't seen my dancers...

cabaretfreak

Oh no!

tinkerscanne

Here are some ideas. I choreograph for 12-14 year old, inexperienced dancers all the time.

First, keep it simple. Flap steps, a single time step, grapevines - these are all manageable. Also pivot turns and varying the pivots from a single to a 2 point or a 4 point pivot adds interest but keeps the step relatively simple. I would emphasize the use of arms and hands to keep the audiences focus up at the dancers' faces instead of on their feet. Break down each step and have the dancers build on the move one step at a time. It might be a bit monotonous for you, but if the dancers master one or two simple steps, then building on those will be easier because you will have brought up their confidence! Hope this is helpful!!! Break a leg!

abbeycat

concentrate on the shape the group makes as a wole rather than the dance steps on the individual, for example you can do a lot with shapes such as moving from a semi circle to say a square....then incorporate the use of a few very clever steps (clean and simple but quick/slick are usually effective) then repeat them in cannon or on the other side, use the dancers amongst the company for the complex steps and the movers for the arms and head moves, complementing what the dancers are doing. Try props, often movers feel more confident if they have something to utilise, such as a row of chairs and a clever 'pat-a-cake' combination with hands and heads echoing the taps of the dancers can be a showstopper if clean and well rehearsed!

good luck, assign dance captains to clean up and train the movers and you will have a fab routine on your hands!

BroadwayBud · Re: choreographing for non-dancers

[quote="Whit"]So I'm supposed to choreograph some tap stuff for "The Boyfriend" but I think there's only about 3 people in it who can actually tap dance.

Hmm.. should be fun.[/quote]

When my HS musical director directed No No Nannette, she taught a group of 10 boys to tap dance - and they were decent! I just wanted to let yo know that it CAN be done. Good luck!

katieanne

I've found with tap dance that if you can get them to master brushes, shuffles, and falaps, the rest falls into place. Keeping it simple is great advice, it's way better to have a clean simple dance than complicated choreography that no one can execute. You'll know how far you can push with the group you have.

Whit	choreographing for non-dancers So I'm supposed to choreograph some tap stuff for "The Boyfriend" but I think there's only about 3 people in it who can actually tap dance. Hmm.. should be fun.
cabaretfreak	Good luck and just be patient
GlamorousGriz	Patience... yes. I have to choreograph something for "Children of Eden" and I have no clue how many people I have to choreograph for and what their ages/experience is... the show opens on Feb 17th and I still haven't seen my dancers...
cabaretfreak	Oh no!
tinkerscanne	Here are some ideas. I choreograph for 12-14 year old, inexperienced dancers all the time. First, keep it simple. Flap steps, a single time step, grapevines - these are all manageable. Also pivot turns and varying the pivots from a single to a 2 point or a 4 point pivot adds interest but keeps the step relatively simple. I would emphasize the use of arms and hands to keep the audiences focus up at the dancers' faces instead of on their feet. Break down each step and have the dancers build on the move one step at a time. It might be a bit monotonous for you, but if the dancers master one or two simple steps, then building on those will be easier because you will have brought up their confidence! Hope this is helpful!!! Break a leg!
abbeycat	concentrate on the shape the group makes as a wole rather than the dance steps on the individual, for example you can do a lot with shapes such as moving from a semi circle to say a square....then incorporate the use of a few very clever steps (clean and simple but quick/slick are usually effective) then repeat them in cannon or on the other side, use the dancers amongst the company for the complex steps and the movers for the arms and head moves, complementing what the dancers are doing. Try props, often movers feel more confident if they have something to utilise, such as a row of chairs and a clever 'pat-a-cake' combination with hands and heads echoing the taps of the dancers can be a showstopper if clean and well rehearsed! good luck, assign dance captains to clean up and train the movers and you will have a fab routine on your hands!
BroadwayBud	Re: choreographing for non-dancers [quote="Whit"]So I'm supposed to choreograph some tap stuff for "The Boyfriend" but I think there's only about 3 people in it who can actually tap dance. Hmm.. should be fun.[/quote] When my HS musical director directed No No Nannette, she taught a group of 10 boys to tap dance - and they were decent! I just wanted to let yo know that it CAN be done. Good luck!
katieanne	I've found with tap dance that if you can get them to master brushes, shuffles, and falaps, the rest falls into place. Keeping it simple is great advice, it's way better to have a clean simple dance than complicated choreography that no one can execute. You'll know how far you can push with the group you have.

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choreographing for non-dancers

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