Boosting Rehearsal Efficiency

 

I

Unit: Rehearsing

Theme: Boosting Rehearsal Efficiency

 

Introduction

 Whether you are a dancer or a choreographer you will always have to do some sort of warm up to settle your body into the space. A great way to preserve creative brain energy is to repeat the same warm up, stretches and cool down weekly. This frees up a lot of thinking space that could be used for choreographing something new. Also, repetition of movement and exercise will make you or your dancers stronger at the movements that are packed into the warm up. If you really find that you have a preference for a new warm up, change it a bit less often, maybe once a month.

 

II

Learning Objectives

  • Understand the importance of rehearsing
  • Explain the advantages of rehearsing in an efficient way
  • Gain an awareness of how rehearsal influences the outcome of your dance performance
  • Experience a boosting rehearsal

 

 

III


Main Lesson



 

1. Determine Your Goals

Focus on a particular goal or set of goals to truly maximize rehearsal time.

2. Communicate the Plan

Communicating the rehearsal goals and agenda helps dancers prepare mentally and physically, and enables everyone to work together to meet the common objectives. It will also show that rehearsal time will be well spent.

3. Start on Time

Demonstrate regard for each other by starting rehearsal right on time. It conveys appreciation to those who are punctual and encourages others to do the same.

4. Practice Purposeful Repetition

Chances are, we all have a few stalwart warm-up exercises in our repertoire that will not only get the job done, but get it done well. Purposeful repetition builds neural pathways, allowing the technique to become more autonomous.

5. Use Purposeful Multitasking

Combine closely related movements into a single exercise. Consider working in yoga stretches sun to not only generate heat throughout, but also to elongate the spine, stretch the hamstrings, and strengthen the core, chest and whole upper body.

6. Divide and Conquer

Split a hefty agenda item into sub-parts. For instance, if a trio section is rehearsing, ask the remaining dancers to work together to review or clean other parts.

7. Prioritize

Identify your priorities and decide where to invest the time. Have your final coming up? Concentrate on cleaning and rehearsing the pieces for the performance.

8. Acknowledge, Apologize, Abort

If needed, acknowledge that the practice is not going as planned. Letting each other know when the dance needs work will instantly alleviate some of the frustration.

9. Document and Review Corrections

Review notes and corrections delivered in rehearsal. Write down the key changes and adjustments during practice.

10. End on a High Note

After a particularly grueling rehearsal, sometimes we need to remind ourselves why we take the time out of our day and push our bodies to the brink. In other words, dance your hearts out.

 


IV

A Note to Remember

 Motivating rehearsals ignite students' desire to practice concepts at home because the rehearsal encourages and guides them to want to achieve their full artistic potential.


 V

Case Study

 



VI

 Activity


1.  Record and post your rehearsal on Discussion Board.

2. Write a summary including your rehearsal goals and agenda for your upcoming performance.

 

 

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 VII 

Journaling


VII

Glossary


VIII

Sources

https://www.danceadvantage.net/rehearsal-management-tips/



IX

Students' Work

 

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