Introduction:
This handbook is to help you fulfill and understand your role as a choreographer for the UMM Dance Ensemble. It is a great privilege to be selected as a choreographer, whether your first, or fourth time. Each semester spent as a Dance Ensemble choreographer is a unique experience. As a DE choreographer, you have taken on the role to provide some entertainment to a large portion of the UMM campus and Morris community. You will be providing a source for experienced dancers to continue their passion in dancing, and giving new dancers the opportunity to learn and experience something new. For some dancers, this is just an added fun activity, for others, a more serious commitment. You are providing other members of the campus and community with a night of entertainment as well. Each semester the DE puts on a great show, and you have now taken on an even greater role in this production. Always remember to have fun with this great experience! If you ever have questions, concerns, or would like more advice, hopefully this handbook will be a go to tool. You are always more than welcome to approach other choreographers or the Dance Ensemble board members.
Auditions:
Auditions are a fairly laid back process for dancers and choreographers. Obviously you have an idea of what to expect as you have been through both at this point. In order to choreograph a dance in Dance Ensemble you must have participated in dance ensemble for at least one semester. A choreographer is able to choreograph up to two dances that they will be participating in, and one dance outside of those two is permitted so long as the choreographer is not dancing in that dance.
We hold auditions so that people know what is expected of them in this group. So that we, the board, as well as yourself, are sure that choreographing is a role you are ready to take on, we expect you to have your music, audition form complete, lyric sheet (if applicable) and 45 seconds to present. Please make sure your song has not been performed in the last 4 years (you can check on this list). This way we get to see what style the dance will be as well as what level. Having other aspects of your dance mapped out such as the length, number of dancers, costume ideas will also help you plan out your dance to be more prepared for future things to come in the DE semester, and for casting.
Casting:
Casting is a very difficult process. All casting is done immediately after the last night of auditions. Everyone’s schedules, level of dancers, interest from dancers, dance style, and previous works all come into account for casting. The most important aspect, and most difficult to work with is scheduling. This is why it is so essential to give us as open of a schedule as possible. A list of suggested dancers, especially for senior pieces, is welcomed; however there are no promises that all those dancers will be in your piece. The same goes for the number of dancers. Because the Dance Ensemble participant numbers have grown so greatly in the past couple of years, the number of people in your dance may be different from your requested number. There are situations where we cannot give as many dancers as requested, or we may have to give more. Leading more dancers provides a new challenge, as does a fewer amount. We believe in each of our choreographers and their leading ability!
Choreographer Meetings:
There will be multiple choreographer meetings over the semester. These are to keep lines of communication open between the DE board and choreographers. At each meeting different topics will be covered such as upcoming events and timelines. If there are any concerns, questions, or comments, this is the perfect time to talk with the board! Please arrive ON TIME to these meetings so we can cover everything in a shorter amount of time. Also, please notify the board if you are unable to attend, or will arrive late. Keep this in mind for all Dance Ensemble events. If you are unable to attend or have any other scheduling conflicts, be sure to let the board know. In this case, leave any necessary materials with another choreographer, board member, or dancer. All expectations also apply to soloists. You will be notified about meeting dates and times.
Soloists:
Soloists should be aware that all policies and expectations also apply to them. Soloists are still considered as much of a choreographer as any other involved in DE because they are still creating a piece for the same reason, the DE show! For future reference, please remember that soloists also need to audition their piece at the same time of all other choreographer auditions. You are to choreograph your own solo; especially considering you will be the one receiving credit for the ideas in the show’s program. Because of the size of our show, we must limit solo performances (including duets, and trios) to seniors or last semester participants only. If there are any questions regarding this, please feel free to speak with the board.
Senior Pieces:
Dancers that have choreographed for at least one semester before their final semester with dance ensemble may choreograph a "senior piece" during that final semester. Senior pieces follow all the same protocol as other auditioned choreography, however we highly recommend giving the board a list of your desired dancers at auditions. We will try to accommodate this list as well as we can. If there are any questions regarding this, please feel free to speak with the board.
Participation:
The number of dances anyone is allowed to perform in for one Dance Ensemble show is four. This is to make the show order more accommodating to all participants. However, there are very rare exceptions. A dancer may dance in five dances if that fifth dance is an academic piece presented from classes, or part of an outside organization performing in the DE show (ie. POM SQUAD). However, this is strongly advised against! It is possible for a dancer to be in four pieces and choreograph a different dance if they are not participating in their own piece. This will keep them under the 4-dance limit. This is also to give all dancers the potential for equal involvement in the Dance Ensemble show.
Commitment:
As a choreographer, you are a key component to dance ensemble. We expect you to honor your commitments and follow through with the piece you auditioned and we accepted into the program. In the event that you feel you have to drop your dance, please contact the board so we can work out an alternative to you dropping your position as a choreographer. Dropping you dance is NOT acceptable, and will be treated as such. You may not drop your dance before your dancers can drop your dance, and no reason will be accepted as excusable. In the event that you do need to drop your dance and cannot find an alternative with the board, you will not be allowed to choreograph for the following two semesters, regardless of what term it is. Beyond that you will also be considered a lower priority when choosing dances for the show - if you have shown us that we cannot trust you to stick through the entirety of the show, we will simply not put you in the show. You dropping your dance forces your entire group out of dance ensemble and often it will be too late to recast them. Best bet- in the case you feel overwhelmed, contact the board, we can help, and will.
Choreographing
The Dance:
Stay at the appropriate LEVEL! Please monitor movement and remember that this is a family show! We do not want anything too sexual or inappropriate, everything is to be PG rated. If this becomes an issue, you will have to change the choreography. If you ignore the suggestion to change choreography, you will be at risk to being put on probation or having the dance removed from the show. Remember; don’t make your piece too long. Typically, when kept around the 2-3 minute mark, the audience enjoys the dance more, dancers are able to better execute the choreography, and you don’t end up just using fillers. We, the DE board, will ask you to cut the song shorter if it is above 3:10, for the reasons listed previously. Always remember to have fun! You MUST choreograph before practices- and not just in your head-so it all works out. Feel free to work with your dancers to see what does or does not work or feel comfortable to them.
Dancers:
It is your responsibility as a choreographer to help and teach dancers as well as to hold extra practices if necessary to make up missed ones or to practice moves, and drilling. Remember dancers can be just as busy as you! If a dancer misses 2 practices, they can be dismissed from the dance at the choreographer's discretion. On the contrary, a dancer may not be kicked out for missing less than 2 practices, personal reasons or lack of skill. If there are any issues, please speak with the board members. Dismissing a dancer from a piece is at a choreographer’s discretion after 2 missed practices. However, the 2 missed practices must be from the regularly schedule practice, not additional practices. Also remember that cutting a dancer at the last minute may put more pressure on yourself and the other dancers. In order to keep track of current members throughout the semester, we have set up an attendance system that is required to be used. At the beginning or end of each weekly practice, you will need to record the attendance of dancers to your dance on the “Attendance Sheet” Google Doc. The Board will be checking this at our weekly meetings. Please do not add or let a dancer drop your dance until the 3rd week of practice. (The board must be notified of these changes.) Exceptions to this rule will only be granted with board approval.
Stereos:
There is one in the DE drawer located in student orgs. It must always be returned after 1 hour of use. The stereos in HFA-125 cannot be removed at any time.
Practices:
Practices are to be held once a week for 1 hour in duration. Practices will begin the Sunday immediately following auditions. Other mandatory practices are not allowed due to scheduling. However, a choreographer may hold additional practices, especially during tech week. It is strongly advised to only hold ONE extra practice during tech week if necessary. Keep in mind that dancers are typically in more than just your piece, and still have schoolwork to attend to as well as other organizations. This should not be a problem if you follow the advised timeline. Practice times cannot be changed. If you decide to cancel a regular practice, you MUST give your dancers at least 24 hours notice. It is important that you arrive on time to your practices. If you are ten minutes late to your practice, your dancers are allowed to leave. All tap practices must be in HFA 125 so that other floors are not scratched or damaged. Theater always has priority to HFA 125. Some options other than HFA 125, or other assigned spaces include: RFC, and PE Gym. If reserving space, please reserve all spaces with your name NOT under Dance Ensemble.
Costumes:
Costumes must also be appropriate for our show, danceable, and comfortable for everyone to be wearing. Please keep the price under $20 for the entire costume. Use the costume closet! Funds from Dance Ensemble may be available for pieces of or an entire groups costume, or for individuals who are not able to afford, or are not willing to buy the costume. Anything that Dance Ensemble pays for must be put in the costume closet after the show, so it can be used in the future. Choreographers are responsible for getting costumes! Choreographers must provide the board with costume information so we are aware of requested funding in a timely manner. Additionally, costumes are taken into consideration for the show order. Note that spring break will be a great time to shop for and purchase costumes, or to have costumes made. This also gives dancers more time to shop for or pick up costumes.
Music:
Please keep all selections around 3-3:30 minutes!! Cutting music is an option. A great program for cutting music is Audacity. It is available for Macs & PCs and it is free and easy to use. Don’t feel you have to choreograph to an entire song-fillers get boring. Remember the music also needs to be family appropriate-PG rated! Music selection is to be approved by the board at choreographer auditions. Lyrics may need to be cut or edited if they are inappropriate for a family friendly show. Make sure you are able to clearly count to the music as it makes teaching and learning for the dancers much easier.
Have your selection made before auditions. Choreographers are not allowed to change their music selections after casting has been done unless approved by the Board. You should have the final cuts made for Preview Night so it is finalized and we can give it to the tech crew. Your song needs to be emailed to our secretary.
Important Events
First Practice:
Email dancers to let them know they are in your dance! Make clear your practice time and location. Practices begin the first Sunday after auditions. You will know that weekend who is in your piece. The cast list will be sent out via email.
Preview Night:
Preview night is just to show what you have completed in your dance thus far. It also gives fellow dancers a preview of what to expect. This is not to be a stressful event. This event is also beneficial for your dancers to begin to get used to dancing on the stage if this is new to them! You must have your music present-even if you can’t be there! Arrive ½ hour early. Since Preview Night is roughly half way through the season we expect half of your piece to be taught. You are required to have at least 1 minute of your choreography to show during Preview Night, in order to avoid being granted a strike.
Lighting Workshop:
This is so choreographers can see what lights and effects are available for the semester’s show. Our tech crew will explain some lighting effects and tip, so if you have never done lighting, you can see your options. It is also important for experienced choreographers to be present as there may be new lighting options available.
Costume Proposals:
The board needs to know your costume proposal so we know what to expect. This also ensures that you have everything ordered, and we have confirmed any use of DE funds. You are responsible for getting the costumes! Keep your receipt if you are being reimbursed. It also helps to know colors for the show order.
Show Order:
Let us know of any special need or requests WELL in advanced! The show order is based on creating a variety in the show for the audience and dance rosters. This way the entire show is entertaining and does not get repetitive. We also want to give all dancers enough time to change between pieces. The order is also based on other scheduling issues that may become present due to multiple involvements of the dancers in other events the night of the shows. The show order will be the same both nights. We will try to have the show order finalized tech week, but if there are any issues during our tech week, please let a board member know immediately.
Program:
Check all information in the program when it is posted during tech week. Please give the board an updated cast list before tech week, as this commonly changes by show time. Be sure to recheck names and titles as well!
Tech Week:
It is crucial that all choreographers and soloists arrive a ½ hour before dancers. Always do a check in so we can start on time, and be sure that all your dancers are prepared for the night. If you have ANY conflicts with tech week, make the board well aware in advanced! You are expected to be at all events for the entire time. Tech week consists of tech times (lighting), followed by a run through and dress rehearsal. We try to give a night off during the week between run through and dress rehearsal, but because of calendar events, this is not always possible. We will also try our best to start every night at the same time for consistency. However, tech is an exception. Tech is an individual time for each dance in order to set up lighting. Choreographers will sign up for one-half hour time slot for each piece.
DVDs:
Please let the secretary know right away if you have a preference of which night goes on the DVD for your own choreographed pieces. If you are unable to watch your piece because you are in it, ask others that are in the audience both nights, and consult with your dancers to see if they were more comfortable one night. We will do our best to accommodate you, however, because of video quality and other outstanding factors, this is not always possible.
Choreography timeline:
*:45 seconds complete before auditions
*about 1:00-1:30 for Preview Night
*Over half completed and taught before Spring Break
*Finish at least 2 weeks before tech so you can use last week to drill
Choreography Tips:
Make a count sheet! This allows you to know exactly how long the section you are trying to choreograph is!
Keep it short and simple, Relax-have fun with it
Know your counts
Teach an 8-count, then connect it with last 8-count
Communicate with your dancers about teaching pace
Choreograph and practice before you teach
Videotape yourself dancing to see what you like best and least
When choreography and counts land well with a lyric-emphasize that when teaching
Cut music ahead of time
Map out your dance on a calendar with what to teach each week
Do formations early on
Experiment with groups and levels (floor, vertical, horizontal, etc.)
Try facing different directions
Name moves to aid memory for your dancers
If using props, be sure to really integrate them into your choreography
It helps to give your dance a meaning or have a story behind it
Experiment with space, stage patterns, formations, pauses, etc.
Be open to changes
Be creative, come up with your own moves
Think about lighting affects when choreographing
Find the “feel” of the dance (emotional, attitude, energetic, smiles, dark, character)
Brainstorm early about costumes
Repetition of dance is good!
Write down your counts!
Avoid large amounts of improv
Be confident in your teaching
Keep track of attendance at practice
Keep DE Board informed of your dancer cast list BEFORE AND AFTER MAKING CHANGES