A Guide to Improvised Dancing

Improvisation, the dreaded word that makes dancer’s panic! Dance improvisation involves the process of spontaneously creating movement to music with no choreography.
Fear crosses the faces of dancers at the mention of this word so if you are one who understands this apprehension, here are some tips on how to ease your mind and make you feel confident with improvisation.

1) Spell out your name

When I was younger, I dreaded improvisation, whether it was by myself or in a group. I was tired of feeling this way so, I asked my teacher how I can feel more confident dancing without choreography. What she told me will stick with me forever because it was clever and it works! She told me to spell out my name with my body. Simply move your body and use the dance space around you in a way that to you, feels like your name is being spelled out.

2) Take a class

I took a number of classes that were focused solely on improvisation and they really made me step out of my comfort zone. You will be provided with more tips on how to be comfortable with improvising.

3) Don’t Stress!

With all eyes on your improvisation can be daunting, so keep in mind that your fellow dancers are more than likely as nervous as you. So relax and have fun with it. Improv is all about being spontaneous and it gives you the chance to focus on how the music makes you feel. In order to execute movements which flow well together, you need to concentrate solely on what your body is doing. Block out whatever is going on around you and just dance.

4) Be in the Moment

Improv does not mean you have to constantly be in motion, take a second to just breathe every now and then. If you feel as though you are lost and don’t know what to do next, be still. Take a breath, listen to the music, and move in whatever way your heart desires.

5) Practice on alone first

Before showing off your improv in front of an audience, practice it on your own first. This will allow you to grow more confident in your ability to dance impromptu. Find an empty spot where you can play music and dance without feeling intimidated by other eyes on you. Once you feel more self-assured, take the next step and improv in front of an audience.

6) Stick to the basics

Less is more. With improvisation, it is important to remember that not every motion has to be something totally unique. Sticking to simple movements will take you far. Keep in mind though, those simple movements still need to be strong and have energy.

Final notes:
You never know when a choreographer will ask you to improv, so it is better to get more comfortable with it now. If you are apprehensive about your dancing skills, do not let the people around you know. If you appear confident, you will have a better chance of impressing those watching you. Improvisation is not about being perfect, so make mistakes and base your next step off of that.

I hope you all enjoyed this post! Remember that you are all beautiful dancers so just have fun with it.

Written by-Madeleine O’Connell