Group routines

[KevinL]

I'm working on getting a group (presently five couples) to dance a Waltz routine together at one time. The idea is to have everyone doing the same thing at the same time as we travel around a smallish square in the middle of a large stage.

How many of you have done such a routine? Do you have advice? How much did each of you practice as a group, and individually?

I'm not sure how the fifth couple will work in, since we've only got four corners, but we'll try to work something out...

Kevinl

 

[etchuck]

Our group is working on a three-dance routine for the upcoming "Ball" for the inauguration of our new university president.

In terms of practicing a routine, I try to work on making sure I have the timing and footwork down on my own (styling too). With my partner (which we haven't really practiced more than one a week, but we should be going to twice after we get the whole routine), we work out little trouble spots for us both and work the kinks out of our routine.

It is interesting that you have an odd number of couples. It might work out, but hopefully your choreography can adjust to 4 or 6. Ideally you should have a "backup couple" at minimum anyway.

 

[twnkltoz]

I've been involved in several performance teams. Practices are generally one or two hours per week--with the last one I did, we started with an hour per week and went to two hours about a month before the performance. My advice is:

1. Give them expectations up front that they must practice in between classes, and that they must take private lessons if they can't keep up with the group. Otherwise, you'll have a couple that's always behind and everyone has to wait around while you reteach them. This is the number one reason why people don't like to be on performance teams.

2. Have a standard for attendance. If they miss so many classes, they're out. If they miss a couple of classes, they have to take a private to catch up. etc, etc.

3. Keep the costuming accessible. No one wants to spend $200 on a performance team costume that they can't use for anything else!