I recently wrote a post titled Choreographing: Seeing Your Piece Come to Life, as many of you may have realized this is a two part post. In the last post, I discussed what it's like to be in the beginning and middle of the creative process and what it's like to experience watching someone learn your choreography and how to clean it up. This time, I am finishing my second part of this post. If you have not read the part one you may want to read it before continuing! With creating a dance for someone comes a great deal of not only imagination but also a determination to tell the story you choose to portray. After you have decided your story, style of dance, and song choice, then comes the choreography stage. In my last post I discussed the way I prefer to choreograph and do my cleaning process. Today I'd like to share what it feels like to go from the practice space to the stage.
Many people have recently asked me, what does it feel like to watch something you've choreographed go on stage? Truthfully, it's a feeling unlike anything else and funny enough it can sometimes be difficult to describe especially in the moments after your student has just performed. I have recently had time to think about it and want to answer that question from my point of view as a choreographer.
When you go from practice to performance you no longer have control over what goes on the stage. To elaborate, during practice you have complete control over how the dance looks, feels, and is portrayed. You have time to tell your student, lengthen and use your energy all the way through your finger tips, when you execute your arabesque bring it higher, straighten your leg all the way through the back of your knee and don't drop your chest. However, once that students checks in backstage and is on deck, the dance is completely in their hands now. You have groomed them and trained them to do what you have envisioned, but now it is their turn to make it their own.
The feeling that comes over you is slightly overwhelming, but not in a bad way, in fact it's a very good overwhelming feeling! You suddenly begin to remember where you started with this student and how far they've come. You remember why they chose the story, song choice, and style of their dance and how much they have moved and inspired you emotionally and physically. You begin to think, I truly hope they remember everything, but it's ok if they don't because they've been trained to improvise if something goes awry. Then you start to remember the laughter and horror stories you've shared about the bruises not only they received but you as well because you had to show them how to throw themselves on the floor and you haven't done it in 5 years. Your last thought before they step on stage is always you trying to remind them, "Do your best, you know your dance, I know you're nervous right now, but feed off of your adrenaline and remember your story. We're here to reach someone." Even though you know they can't physically hear you, you know they can hear you in their heart.
Then, the announcer says, "Up next we have..." and they're name and dance are announced and they walk out and it is officially in their hands. The music begins to play and nothing is going through your head other than every move you've taught them, you are doing the dance with them in spirit! You continue to watch and this feeling of accomplishment comes over you because you remember again how far they have come and how proud you are! As you continue to watch, you can't believe how everything you envisioned is truly coming to life right before your eyes through another person or group of dancers. That is usually the moment that tears begin to form in my eyes because it is the moment I realize someone is being touched and is seeing their story and what we came to do.
As soon as it is over, the feeling of immense joy, excitement, and truly being the most proud of your dancer(s) you have ever been begins to sweep over you! You meet them outside and hug it out and tell them you cannot believe how far they have come and how proud you are! The first thing out of their mouth is, "THANK YOU!! But I messed up on this part..." However, in that moment you don't care because you are so proud and saw your vision come to life that you don't even care if one channe turn was left out! All you care about is how amazing they looked, how someone was truly reached, and how ready you are to take them to the next level!
After all of the post-performance excitement has calmed down, you rematch the dance and continue to think how amazing it truly is that you created a piece and told someone this is what I'm envisioning and I'm believing in you to make it happen. Not only do they make your vision come to life, they take it so much farther and make it even more and even better than you had originally hoped and longed for! If you have a story about what it's like for you to see your piece come to life, comment below and share it with us or if you feel the way we feel let us know, we'd love to hear from you!
Stay tuned for new posts and an upcoming dance competition that we will be performing at at the end of April!
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