Academic View of My Show

Why Is Jazz Choreography Performed in the School's Musical Theatre Solo Show?

After a recent discussion and debate; the parents and teachers of the students at the YEM Theatre School in Hampshire came to an agreement. They decided a group choreography would be suitable to be included in the up and coming family show. The show is to be held at Ancells Farm Studios in November 2009 and a choreography will now be produced for all following family shows directed and created by the school.

The family shows originally and traditionally embraced the singing, vocal and harmonic threat of the students' part time training, in the construct of a semi-formal production . These shows allow the young people to show off their talent and what they have accomplished and learnt throughout their training. Consequently, it generates a brilliant learning curve of professionalism and showmanship within theatre productions, especially since the YEM company produces an immense arrangement of theatre productions in local theatres and areas throughout the year. These particular family shows are arranged mainly for the benefit of the child's family. The shows welcome a personally invited audience to witness and enjoy the training endured at the school. It is also beneficial for the child to show their supporters what they have learnt to date. The shows stand as useful practise and rehearsal for the more formal variety shows, which are almost certain to follow.

Humphrey (1951) said “The dancer with conviction has power; many a dance of poor quality has been “put across” just by the superb belief of the performer in the work.....if you believe in yourself, everybody else probably will, too”. A dancer needs to attain confidence in their work and a perfect solution in order to achieve confidence in dance is to gain as much performing experience as possible.

Our dance has been placed as the finale of the YEM Theatre School's latest showcase of musical theatre work. The dance; Evacuate the Dancefloor (2009) by Cascada, a commercial dance track and the latest tune to another of Lucy Clark's street jazz choreography. The piece explores the idea of parties, enjoyment and attitude, as well as involving street jazz, technical and contemporary dance styles, illustrating a positive and confident time in the dancer's life. The choreography has amalgamated an eclectic combination of steps with original and unique movements. Not only this but the routine includes different spacing ideas allowing each dancer time perform at the front in full focus of the audience, creating a fair and equal performance. This aspect is extremely important in the early stages of a hobby such as dance, where the teachers ensure they encourage every individual to perform at the best of their abilities.

In juxtaposition to this view; the minority against including the choreography within the next theatre show, argued that it would detract from the main subject currently in focus and detract from the students solo singing performances.

In conclusion, the featured choreography will be included in the future performance as part of a massive learning curve to the students' training. The dancers have also thoroughly enjoyed previous jazz choreography and this will once be beneficial to their learning experience as a whole.