Image by Charles Chan
The master teacher before you is someone you’ve never worked with before but the choreography is hot and the energy in the room is really cool. You’ve spent the last hour trying new things, meeting challenges, and working through the final combination. All roads led here and you think you’ve got it down. Each group explodes into the center of the room as they take their turn in the spotlight. Applause, applause, applause between each round. Another chance. Fixed a mistake from last time, stumbled on something else. It’s okay, there’s just enough time for one more run per group.
The instructor is encouraging,
…he’s throwing out a few last minute reminders,
…and then, he says exclaims,
“And this time, make it your own!”
“Wha?”
You have maybe heard this phrase tossed about before but what exactly does it mean?
With this statement, essentially the teacher is letting you know that you have some freedom to interpret the movement. In fact, when an instructor or choreographer throws this out at the end of a class, I suspect that the purpose is less an invitation and more a reminder — Up until that point he has not seen enough personality in your dancing and, now that you have had time to familiarize yourself with the movement, and practice it a few times with relative accuracy and clarity, he wants you to transition from just replicating steps, timing, and even movement quality. Of course, he hasn’t said how he’d like to see that done so you are left to decode the statement on your own.
So, how does a dancer take given choreography and make it her own?
There are choices a dancer can make to infuse a phrase with qualities that make her interesting to watch. These choices, when applied to the movement, give the viewer a sense for who the dancer is or, intrigue the viewer enough to want to find out who she is.
Dancer’s Choice
If you are being encouraged to “make it your own,” some decisions are in order. Some possibilities you might consider:
- How can you use your eyes and face to draw in the viewer?
- What are some dynamics or qualities in the movement that you might emphasize?
- How can you create seamless transitions between steps or fill-out the music more?
- Where might you suspend the timing of something to the absolute limit and still make it to the next movement on time?
- How can you create dynamics (like the musical kind) in your movement. Are there moments that can “whisper” and others that can “shout?”
- What is the context of the phrase? Even if you haven’t been offered one, can you come up with a reason, or character, or story behind what you are doing?
Want some more? Check this post for more tips on adding personality to performance.
I know it might seem impossible to muster this kind of intention at the last minute and, well, perhaps it is. Dancers that seem suddenly able to completely transform the work probably have two things going for them that you, thus far, have not. ONE, they’ve had experience in this situation, having been asked before to make a dance their own. And, TWO, (as a result of this experience) they have an arsenal of possibilities already in their back pocket which they’ve used and practiced using before.
Good news! You’ve just been handed a small arsenal of possibilities, now the key is to practice them at every opportunity (especially in your every-day classes where you are more free to take some risks).
How far is too far? It’s hard to say. Auditions (versus a workshop) can certainly raise the stakes but often require more adventurous risk-taking – sometimes it will pay off, sometimes it won’t.
What do you think? Where is the line that indicates you’ve gone too far?
What are some other ways you can make choreography your own?
P.S. Thanks to Nina for inspiring this post. She asked when it is appropriate to make choreography one’s own. You can read more about what prompted the question and see my response at her blog, My Son Can Dance.
Nichelle (admin)
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Excellent post, N! I want to print this out for my students.
HIGH FIVE.
Thanks, M!
To make a dance your own..
Listen to the music..Release what you are feeling when you dance. Combine rhythmical expression together with rhythimical body action. Change some timings, make use of levels and add change of direction.
Brilliant Article Dance Avantage !
i do street dance but sometimes i run out of choreography and i go bilistic because i cant think of other steps its so dumb i can dance everyone says i can but then i back down and thoughts run through my head, then i get upset i really love street dancing, and never want to give up but sometimes i give up easily im by,myself on weekend cause all my friends dont wanna dance no more i want to make up some great choreography but it never happens i keep trying. eventually ill make somthing up.
once i have a dance group things are okay but when i dont its so hard. 
erghh! i need help, is thre anyone out there who cares i REALLY REALLY really love street dance and im not a confident in it anymore. there is one dance group i want to meet and that is diversity but they are all the way in britan. it sucks anyway lol i need help i keep backing down on street dance and im close to quiting i really dont want to quit is there anybody out there who can help me. please.;( if you can thanks;)
Hi Jensey,
Sorry about the delay in responding – December has been a busy month! I will try to respond as best I can.
In your first post, you describe a lack of confidence in improvisation. My specialty is modern/contemporary dance, not street dance, but in both improvisation is very important. The thing with improvisation is that you gain confidence through practicing, which means just doing it. If you are “getting stuck” or having trouble knowing or deciding what to do next, you probably need more experience.
And if you really want experience, if you really want to dance, then what your friends do or do not do shouldn’t matter. Get out – take a class, go to clubs, wherever there is dance happening. Watch, participate, absorb all you can. Surround yourself with people who want it too. No matter what style of dance – that’s the only answer for the problem you are describing. People that make it in dance don’t let obstacles get in the way of their dreams or ambitions – they find a way. Dance is not for those who sit back and wait for opportunities to come along, it is for people who seek out opportunities and never give up. That’s a tough answer, but it is the truth. I wish you the best, just keep going and working hard!
hey thanks that really helped and im getting heaps better at it so yeah thanks so much for answering my question!!!
XD
Thank you so much. i have done a couple of choreographed dances (2) so far n the people i dance with during the final performance seem to b counting steps or thy don’t show the energy, even when the dance routine itself is good. there’s just a struggle with balancing what your supposed to do against how your supposed to do it . But with this information i know what areas to work on. Thank You
Nairobi, Kenya
Africa Can Dance (A.C.D)
Thanks for stopping by Edward. I’m glad you found the information helpful. Confidence to go beyond just counting steps or the bare minimum definitely comes with encouragement, experience, and having the opportunity to take risks in an environment that feels safe (like class). Sometimes it takes the right teacher or choreographer to really draw that out of the dancers as well. Best of luck to you!
hi im from nepal im doin poppin style but nowadayz im feelin like im stuck in own place..i want to be better n better .the most crticalproblem is dat i have no idea abt choregraphy whenever im thinkin abt choreography my mind doesntwork..actually im afreestyler so im weak in choreography so how to make choreography n be confident dancer??
hiii. im from rajasthan(india).. i want to my choreography skill bestest…. i doing tradition and contemporary … but i thing i m able to do more than other…. but hw can…????? sorii my but
English is too week…..
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Well I remember having an argument when I was 15 years old with a dance instructor because I did not want to do the giant rolling hip walk off stage at the end of a competitive choreography. (solo) He was furious and never did anything else for me or even acknowledged me in class. Needless to say I think I sailed off stage with a leap. The giant rolling hip walk looks great if you have hips and are petite not for a long stringy 15 year old. I lost a lot of confidence in that experience. Now, I take a masters class where I am told I should not use my arms so much. That’s fine, my arms are still a mile long and if I don’t use them to frame my movements mo matter the dance its not complete. Go with your gut instincts from the inexperienced youngster to the professional today, I know I am right all along. I don’t need to prove it, I just do it. Take your space, your move, feel it, breath and dance.