Effective dance rehearsal strategies -Choreographer’s perspective

Dance rehearsal is a vital aspect before any performance. We all have a limited time period and yet we have to give our 100 percent for a successful. So, here I m sharing some simple dance rehearsal strategies to enhance your productivity and result in a successful performance. These strategies will be definitely helpful for all the choreographers and dance directors to level the quality of performance.

Time management

We all have a very limited time period when it comes to rehearsal or practice. So, in order to gain maximum efficiency we must time-block every aspect of our dance rehearsal. 

How does time block your dance rehearsal session? Let us understand with an example.

Suppose you have only 2 hours per day which are dedicated to dance rehearsal, Here’s how you can time block.

Time block for an effective dance rehearsal

10 mins: Warm-up 

45 mins: first standing rehearsal of performance with all the dancers in full swing.

5 mins:  Water break

20 mins: rehearsal of only 50% of dancers in the troupe (Here the remaining 50% of dancers will observe the other dancers and will analyze their dance)

20 mins: rehearsal of the remaining 50% of dancers in the troupe (and vice versa)

15 mins: Brushing up the errors or non-coordination with quick 15 mins (one sequence or one step at a time)

5 mins: Cool down (here you can meditate or end your session with shavasan)

What a choreographer or dance director must observe during a dance rehearsal

The motto of dance rehearsal is to gain muscle memory. So, that repetitive movements done on the music will give an auto-pilot effect and the dancer doesn’t have to remember every step while performing. It is done with the least effort. However, rehearsal is also necessary to pinpoint if there are any errors or mistakes happening to avoid fiasco before the performance. So, these are the points that a choreographer should know while he/she is observing the troupe during dance rehearsals.

1. No monotony in the steps: Excluding the hook steps, there should not be any monotonous movement or prolonged repetitive steps as the performance might look boring
2. Proper use of energy level: If it is a solo performance the energy level might exceed which is sometimes fine. But, in group performance energy levels of all the dancers in the troupe should be equal, as the steps are seen as a troupe as a whole and not focussed on just one dancer
3. Movement and coordination are the same and not asymmetrical. 
4. A choreographer must write down in a register all the steps and time stamps that are brushed or to be brushed during the rehearsal. This will help them to understand what all steps or time stamps of song or music are to be redone or replaced.
5. Prioritize what the steps are to be brushed first or might impact the quality of performance. Then go for the minor mistakes.

To sum up, any rehearsal when done mindfully will always result in a successful outcome. That’s why it is always said. Work hard and Smart!