So sorry it's late readers! My Monday was "manic"!
In these economic saavy times utilizing every strength without spending every dollar is vital. Being your own choreographer is one of the ways you can save your pennies and put them towards something else.
Think area college dance program. High school dance team captain. If you purchase an MTI showkit they come with choreography dvds that you can easily appoint a parent or an older student to walk the kids through the dances.
Educate yourself. Youtube is a wonderful thing when trying to remember what specific dance moves look like. Watch performances. Get ideas. By no means am I saying to steal another's work, but sometimes it is "okay" to not reinvent the wheel. Take dance classes. If doing Joseph take a line dancing class for "One More Angel in Heaven". Many dance teachers will do work pro bono if given the chance. You can also give them incentives (as mentioned in the last post: signage, tickets, etc.) that is fruitful to them as well.
More importantly, if you are not a dancer but have kids that do dance well, remember that not every child can do 5 pirouettes, so if you can't demonstrate it yourself, don't ask your students to do it. If you have a few students that have danced competitively or for a number of years, make them a dance captain or student choreographer with clear expectations of what you are looking for in each number and let them have a solo dance number. After all their hard they will deserve it.
Last thought: A few of the staples of musical theatre dancing: Charleston, jazz square, grapevine, chasse, pivot turn: If you are reading these terms and do not know what these are, please look them up. Even if you have a choreographer. As a dance teacher and a choreographer, there is nothing more frustrating and time consuming then having a director say "can they do one of those cross over thingys right there?" Also, learn the proper terms so that your students are well educated. When these kids go out into the world it is a reflection on you and your program. Don't send them out thinking a jazz square is a box step. Then when they have an audition for a ballroom scene they blow it not knowing what is being asked of them.
Keep up the good work! It is now February. How many of us are planning or already planned our summer shows?
