This post is to help theatre people having dancing problems. I am clumsy and not the best dancer but I get by alright because of these following tips. I emphasize these are for people struggling through the learning process of dance...
1. Regimented Practice- set aside some time during the week to practice by yourself in a dance studio. You need to do this to begin training your body as a dancer body. It is just like any other physical dicipline you must get used to the movements on a scheduled ruotine to greatly improve.
2. Unregimented Practice- the reasons for this are the same as above, to get you ready to move like a dancer. Unregimented dancing happens during your day to day life. For example, when you are standing in line somewhere, do a few Flap steps or some cross ball changes as you are walking down the street. People may stare, but think about the results you will see later. I did pirouettes for 2 days while I was standing or walking and in just those two days I went from barely being able to do one, to being able to do three comfortably.
3. Knowing the terms: Know your dance terms. You should learn someform of understanding of the move you are doing. I recommend these sites, but I also recommend learning sounds and movements from teachers (monkey see monkey do technique) there are many world renowned dancers that never learn the "real" terms.
Tap: http://www.theatredance.com/dictionary.html
Jazz: http://www.twirlmania.com/TIPSjazzterminology.htm
Ballet: http://www.abt.org/education/dictionary/index.html
Teacher: Find one, doens't have to be real teacher just someone to learn from, they are amazing resources.
4. Push Yourself: Never be satisfied with what you know, always strive to learn more. When one becomes entirely comfortable with their skill it can cease to grow.
5. Buy Dance Attire: You will feel like a dancer and your mind will make you immitate what you percieve as a dancer. I am not saying clothes and shoes are the only things to make you feel like a dancer. Wear your dance attitude too, don't think you are going to fail, think you are going to succeed. The difference may seem little to you, but if you don't feel like a dancer you may never be a dancer.
6. Stretch: You must be flexible in some way shape or form to do certain dances. So start stretching now, especiall your legs, arms, and torso.
7. Watch Dance: As mentioned earlier your brain interperates dance and then tries to apply the concept to your body when you dance. In effect the more you watch people dancing, and decipher how they do it, while training the better understanding your brain will have of how to make the adjustments for your body. Remember the brain isn't what fails to dance, its your body.
8. Nerves: this was partially mentioned earlier. You must be comfortable to look like a fool. You may be the worst dancer in the room, but letting that get to you and ruin your spirit can make you the worst dancer in the room. Everyone in the room is struggling with some part of the dance. No one is perfect, because if they were they wouldn't be there. Yes people will probably talk about you behind your back, but if you keep a humor about your dancing, without letting it destroy your spirit, this won't bother you.
9. Workout: build lean muscle in the gym. This will help you balance and maintain your center while dancing. The benefits from this are exponential.
10. Teach: there is no bettter way to learn how to dance than to teach others who don't know how to dance, the few things you do know. This strengthens your understanding and also helps someone else out done the path of expression through dance.
These tips are not the endall, obviously, but take them into consideration with your dance training. They helped me emmensly, whilst I was creating them. Thank you.
Monday, April 2, 2007
Sunday, April 1, 2007
technology and connection to theatre
I know what you might be saying. "What does a computer have to do with acting? You are a stupid fool for connecting the two." Or more likely you are saying "I guess it makes sense." Anyone involved in theatre needs to be networked with other people. As many lunches as you can eat in one day, will indeed get your name out there, and will sucessfully network you to a decent sized group of people. Now think for a moment if you had a computer how much easier networking would be. "what do you mean?" let me explain in a few examples.
Your memory is good, of course it is you are an actor, so when you go out to lunch with someone or have an audition you of course can remember every name and phone number you ever get, and you will never forget those numbers ever. Right? No? A computer comes in handy for this. Everyone experiances interference with their memory, and as good as an actors shot term memory is, you will forget things. A computer can be your friend. A palm pilot or a laptop to record this information in can become handy. "why not paper?" Paper is wonderful tool, but it rips, smudges, and unless you carry around a notebook at all times it is difficult to fit all the information in those small planners. A computer can store the information faster, more efficiently, and for longer periods of time. If you also want to hold on to your paper ways the computer can print out your network cards and even create different groups of networks so you know how you know the people.
E-mail helps keep you in touch with all those networks you have made over the days/months/years. It allows simple non-discriminate communication, and is faster than letters and sometimes even calling people. "Why do I need a computer to email? Can't I just use other people's?" You can, but the information you recieve may have expired by the time you use someone elses. With your own computer you can check emails whenever you want, and with a palm pilot, where ever you want. Increasing your response time by quite a lot, making you look more interested to the people you respond to.
Internet auditions. I believe fully that you can find out what company is holding auditions for what show. The questions is how many companies can you find. With a computer you could constantly be looking up auditions, and not just for your own specialized field, but also outside of your usual market. The number of jobs available through online data searches is incredible. Plus with a computer you can not only find out where auditions are being held, but also how to get there. A problem I know many new actors face. This expands your network beyond your physical reach.
Other such pluses that can be obtained by owning a computer are: media tools (listening to that new cast recording); you tube ( seeing how shows are done); research (online databases stuffed with goodies for the character you are researching); local restaurants (for those lunches); and news (so that in the future you will know the source material of the plays).
So in conclusion, actors may not need computers, but computers do increase an actors odds and in a world where we are slowy shifting to computer dominence, who knows someday you might not be able to get hired without one. Best start learning now!!!
Your memory is good, of course it is you are an actor, so when you go out to lunch with someone or have an audition you of course can remember every name and phone number you ever get, and you will never forget those numbers ever. Right? No? A computer comes in handy for this. Everyone experiances interference with their memory, and as good as an actors shot term memory is, you will forget things. A computer can be your friend. A palm pilot or a laptop to record this information in can become handy. "why not paper?" Paper is wonderful tool, but it rips, smudges, and unless you carry around a notebook at all times it is difficult to fit all the information in those small planners. A computer can store the information faster, more efficiently, and for longer periods of time. If you also want to hold on to your paper ways the computer can print out your network cards and even create different groups of networks so you know how you know the people.
E-mail helps keep you in touch with all those networks you have made over the days/months/years. It allows simple non-discriminate communication, and is faster than letters and sometimes even calling people. "Why do I need a computer to email? Can't I just use other people's?" You can, but the information you recieve may have expired by the time you use someone elses. With your own computer you can check emails whenever you want, and with a palm pilot, where ever you want. Increasing your response time by quite a lot, making you look more interested to the people you respond to.
Internet auditions. I believe fully that you can find out what company is holding auditions for what show. The questions is how many companies can you find. With a computer you could constantly be looking up auditions, and not just for your own specialized field, but also outside of your usual market. The number of jobs available through online data searches is incredible. Plus with a computer you can not only find out where auditions are being held, but also how to get there. A problem I know many new actors face. This expands your network beyond your physical reach.
Other such pluses that can be obtained by owning a computer are: media tools (listening to that new cast recording); you tube ( seeing how shows are done); research (online databases stuffed with goodies for the character you are researching); local restaurants (for those lunches); and news (so that in the future you will know the source material of the plays).
So in conclusion, actors may not need computers, but computers do increase an actors odds and in a world where we are slowy shifting to computer dominence, who knows someday you might not be able to get hired without one. Best start learning now!!!
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