The Art of Improvisation

“Before we start the combo, you have about six 8’s of improv…”

How many of you got anxiety just from reading that statement? Trust me, I get it. I was the dancer that cringed at the thought of improvisation. It wasn’t something that I was used to, and all I could think about was how awkward I felt and probably looked.

So, I kept doing it.

Sounds crazy, right? It’s actually pretty sane. They say the thing that scares you the most just may be the thing that gives you the most reward. So you better believe I was doing improv every chance I had in class! And I finally got to a comfortable place in my movement. You, too, can get to that point! Take it from a girl who struggled (with a capital S) in that department.

Below are some things that helped me out in this dance journey. See if they speak to you, or comment your own experiences!

·      Don’t think. But instead, feel. The beauty of improvisation is that it’s YOUR piece. It’s YOUR movement. There’s no right or wrong answer. If you feel like leaping, then leap! If you want to explore floor work, then get on the floor! If you get in a bind, work your way out of it. It’s okay. The minute you get out of your own head and just feel, the more enjoyable and less awkward it is.

·      Feel the music. Let the music guide you. If it’s upbeat and sassy, then turn on your inner Sasha Fierce. If it’s slow and emotional, then slow down your movements and be more fluid. Follow the builds, the peaks, and the runs of the song and see what your body creates. Explore levels, movement quality and space.

·      Watch others improv. If you have the chance to go in groups, watch what other dancers do. It may inspire you to try something new or incorporate it into your movement. It’s incredible how much you can learn from watching other dancers create. Watching YouTube videos can help, as well. Then, practice doing it yourself!

·      Keep something in your back pocket. I always had a move or a series of moves in the back of my head that I’d go to if I got stuck. Transitional moves, a technique trick or two, and some stylized movement. You may never need it, but it came in handy a few times in my dance career.

·      Be yourself. This is the most important tip. Stay true to who you are as a dancer. You don’t have to be the next Maddie Ziegler, just be a better version of yourself! Don’t be afraid to explore new things in your movement. Do what feels good to you, and have fun!