The Challenges of Choreography

You may have seen my gathered images for Alice in Wonderland, well I am pleased to say that the choreography is well under way. As this is first BALLET choreography I have done, I accepted early on it wouldn't be easy.

There's been a lot of problems within the ballet end of the school due to the teacher before me stealing students and leaving me; the new teacher with next to none - good luck creating a work-of-art ballet Lucy!

Never the less, I overcame that problem by borrowing other students from the school to bulk it up a bit (though the students don't know this yet!) The principals have agreed due to the circumstances and I am allowed to do so.

However this has somehow started something. School's tend to thrive with little ones learning music and dance, and occasionally stream into a few less in each class as the students get older. So the principals want the youngest (non-ballet) school members which are between the ages of 1 and 3 to be in much more.

Oh let's ask Lucy to put them in the ballet!!!.........

I'll keep you posted!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Hello all and Happy New Year

If any one is free to give any last minute feedback on the last three pieces

I would very much appreciated it!!

Thank you to all who have already commented and I have attempted to take all comments on board

Love Lucy

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

Following a recent discussion and debate; the parents and teachers of the students at the YEM Theatre School in Hampshire reached an agreement that a group choreography would be suitable for the next family show. The show is to be held at Ancells Farm Studios in November 2009 and a choreography will now be produced for all subsequent family shows directed and created by the school.

The family shows traditionally embraced the vocal and harmonic threat of the students' part time training, constructed in a semi-formal production. By including dance, this allows students to share all what they have accomplished throughout their training. “Dance promotes agility, grace and physical fitness. Install these interests early to set them up for interest in these disciplines as they mature. Go to the dance performance at the end of the course, and your child will be happy to know that you support all their hard work. It means a lot for them to see that you approve of what they are doing.” (2007 Carolyn McFann). 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 primarily for the benefit of the child's family.

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. Dance is an enjoyable hobby promoting health and well-being from a young age. “Tap, Jazz and Ballet all instill discipline and health conscious attitudes that will be beneficial tools as children grow and learn” (Janelle Inkens 2008).

The 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 time in the dancer's life. The choreography has amalgamated an eclectic combination of steps with original movements and various spacing ideas. The teachers ensure they encourage every individual to perform at the best of their abilities.

In juxtaposition to this view; a minority argued that including the dance would detract from the main subject currently in focus. “The children must learn to focus their time and energy on one subject at a time and giving 100%, rather than splitting their rehearsal time on other areas”. (Sue Hockney, 2009)

It has been argued that the song choice could be inappropriate. “ In 1975, the rage was "Boogie Fever" and it was really good. Nowadays, there are so few good and clean dancing songs.” (Tracey Hannam 2009) YEM are adamant that all show song choices go through a rigorous process in which the suitability of a song is tested. Swearing and inappropriate lyrics are considered unacceptable for the school regardless of the student's ages.

Another element of the debate involved complaints from parents that this was supposedly the “family” show, where students chose their song and costumes. This group dance demanded costumes of the choreographer's choice and style. “After forking out large amounts of money all year for the classes, plus the uniforms and shoes, now comes this end-of-year extravaganza, for which you will need to buy array of hideous costumes.” (Jillian Whiting 2009) The choreographer since informed parents, that YEM requested three colours (black, white and silver) and the dancers could bring any items of old clothing they wished from the selected colours.

In conclusion, the featured choreography will be included in the future performance as part of a massive learning curve to the students' training. It has been settled that song choice and choreography is appropriate for the ages of the students. In addition costumes should not be bought thus causing no extra cost to the parent. The dancers have also thoroughly enjoyed previous jazz choreography and this will once again be beneficial to their learning experience as a whole.

1.Carolyn McFann, 2007, An article within Associated Content, online, www.associatedcontent.com

2.Doris Humphrey, 1951, www.oprf.com/Humphrey/

3.Janelle Inkens, 2008 for Fitness Beginnings www.fitnessbeginnings.com

4.Sue Hockney, 2009 Parent of student attending YEM Theatre School

5.Tracey Hannam, Ipswich, November, Courier Mail Comments available online at http://www.news.com.au/couriermail

6.Jillian Whiting, 2009, Published article Courier Mail, available online at http://www.news.com.au/couriermail

Please Evacuate The Dancefloor

Midnight. A silhouetted party emerges from the darkness. A pretence of slow motion. A sea of silver, black and white comes to life as the commotion begins. Meeting and greeting eventuates until the beat kicks in and a dance floor naturally forms in the centre of the stage. At first, just three young girls brave the crowded dance floor. Chords burst from speakers through the hot air; thick with the taste of sweat and hard work. More and more indecipherable shapes start to join in their flow, until eventually everyone embraces the DJ to enjoy a fabulous party.

Upon the dusty stage “Evacuate the Dancefloor” by Cascada is transformed into the YEM Theatre School's latest street jazz choreography. With the dance it brings their most recent show of musical theatre solo performances to an outstanding finale. The show is a mixture and variety of musical theatre and pop songs with finished performances behind a taster of the school's work from the recent term. An outlook to some of the school's most talented pupils in a display and showcase of their current work for close friends and family.

The attitude and style that is brought from the dance is just one small demonstration of the skills taught to the students. Not to mention the jazz technique, spacial awareness and professionalism they also practise. The routine conveys a strength and passion whilst acting-through-dance, to deliver a modern and intensive choreography to a small and personal audience.

This uplifting dance entails some inspired and creative costumes, allowing the students to express themselves within the coloured realms of black, white and silver. Flowers, sequins, stripes, and fishnets all masquerade a group of confident young women whom are coming of age. Mixed with strobe and flickering rainbow lights the atmosphere is sharp yet fun and care-free. The dancers are at ease in their own costume creations and can consequently perform to their best ability and enjoy the show they have worked so incredibly hard on.

Performing this dance to an attentive and supportive audience is what the hard-working students need to up their confidence and support them into further training within the school. It will help with a sense of achievement from the last terms hard but creative work in order to look forward what they in store for them next term, in which they will be challenged with different styles and choreography. The show is also a beautifully intended way to document each students success at the YEM Theatre school and for the students and their families to look back and share the memories.

From this performance, the dancers will have earned another string to their bow by adding another show and choreography to the YEM repertoire amongst the solo performances. Yet this dance is the perfect way to end another accomplished term.

For One Night Only!!

For One Night Only

The YEM Theatre School

proudly presents

The 2009 Family Floor Show

with songs from the musicals

Featuring YEM Senior's latest street jazz; “Evacuate the Dancefloor”

7pm 22nd November

Ancells Farm Studios

Tickets are only £3.00!

Ticket money raised will go towards new microphones for The YEM Rock Choir

All money raised in the raffle will be donated to South Wood Nursery School

The floorshow is a biennial event showcasing the latest musical theatre works of the senior end of the school. The show takes place to give the students experience through performing a song of their choice that they've been working on for the last term. Some students will have recently taken musical theatre exams with the London College of Music or are currently working towards them. In either case, the show is a great learning experience for all students and one where every student needs all the support and encouragement you can give! So please spare your Sunday evening to support your son, daughter, niece, nephew, grandchild, cousin, sibling or friend. The bigger the audience; the better the experience!

The show starts Sunday evening and includes 40 performers including 13 of the school's best dancers. The latest street jazz choreographed by Lucy Clark; Evacuate the Dancefloor. This'll be their best performance yet and will be showcased as a finale to the student’s latest solo singing work. The dance shall be included to give the students further performing experience, not only in the realm on musical theatre but also in the aspects of dance. Teaching them about performing with a group and as a team, but also spatial awareness, different styles, spacing and professionalism. The costumes will also unleash a certain confidence amongst the dancers, as they will be wearing what they like within a theme, allowing them to choose something they feel comfortable wearing and which also expresses individual personalities. We hope it will inspire them with the confidence to progress in their dance performance and ability to continue with their training. Not only this but gives the dancers a sense of achievement for the terms work, in which they've worked extremely hard; on technique as well as this dance in particular.

Please come and support the dancers and the school in their latest attributes. The money raised will go to the school's fund, which is raising money for new lead-less microphones for the YEM Rock Choir. The choir is recently gaining much success and respect in the professional world. There will also be a raffle where money raised will be donated to the local nursery; South Wood Nursery.
The junior students of the school (ages 4-14) will be performing at 2pm the same day, with their own selection of songs and featuring their jazz dance “Hit the Road Jack”.

On behalf the YEM Theatre School we hope to see you there!

Dates for your diary

Christmas Carols

Aldershot

23rd December

YEM Rock Choir

Musical Dreams 2010

Princes Hall

4th and 5th October

YEM Theatre School

A Message For Donna

Hi Donna
hope you're well, i tried last night to post a comment on your blog but it woudn't let me
i've had a look at your drafts and they are looking very good.
I like your image for marketing, I think this works well because it gives something to the audience.
I know it's possibly too late for feedback, but you could use these comments for task E. Your marketing is direct and to the point giving information needed. have you thought about the audience you would be marketing this particular film to, and how that might change the vocabulary choices?
I like how you've made your descriptive piece into a story commentary, maybe you could include descriptions of other senses? This piece starts off really well.

Your academic covers a range of sources and is very detailed and interesting, but perhaps you could summarise the outcome of the piece ina concluding statement at the end, but otherwise love it!
Hope panto is going well, mine's just finished, hopefully see you soon xxx

The Said Dance My 3 Writing Pieces Are About

Evacuate the Dancefloor

My dancers unfortunately never got to complete their performance due to the CD skipping, luckily it was near the end, however we will be using the dance again in a show this Summer, so we'll get another chance!!

This is the show and dance I am referring to in my three pieces of writing.

The dancers range from 13 to 19 with little of some training and experience. I think they all did rather well.