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| Lesson Ten |
| Subject: Lesson Ten: Entrances & Exits Entrances & Exits An entrance can set the tone of the dance, and an exit can determine the mood the audience feels at the end of the dance. Also, a dancer who just walks off stage does not look as polished as one who has an exit. If possible, the dancer should be able to take any props with her on her entrance and exit, and include a bow or acknowledgment to the audience, if she can. Both entrance and exits are a good time to make eye contact with the audience. Eye contact helps get the audience interested, and can help increase the energy. Try to have your face express the feelings of the dance. In most cases, a big smile is needed. Some dances however, that would not be appropriate. Do play with your entrance and exits, to find what looks good for your dance style, and what you like and have fun with. If you have fun with it, so will the audience.TRAVELING: Any traveling step may be used, but most dancers start off with a basic traveling step, to get positioned on the stage, and fitting the music. Veils may be draped or undraped, depending on the dance. Basic walk: Just a basic step walk. Make sure toes are pointed. The hands may be in many different gestures. Face and arms should reflect the music and/or the dance to come, or how it finished. Basic arms, classic, Arabian arms, flamenco arms, zill. Step Touch: Like the basic walk, but with toe touches between steps. May use both feet or only one foot to lead. India Entrance: Based on statues of dancers in India, the basic step touch is used. The body is bent slightly to the side at the waist. The arms are spread in a U pattern to the same direction the body is bent, with one arm above the head, and the other at about the waist. FLOOR PATTERNS: Floor patterns may be used to ensure that a long introduction to a song is not too boring. Usually the dancer stays facing front, or to the wings. However for a boost of drama, the dancer may choose to face back stage, and look over her shoulder. Circles: Come in and travel in a circle on the stage---be sure to look at audience. Back and forth: Traveling either to stage wings or front and back. V Pattern. Usually done from stage back center to the stage wings and back to the opposite wing, in a V shape. Dancer may stop and do movements at the points of the V. BOWS: are very important to let the audience know that you appreciate them staying and watching you. It makes the members of the audience feel special, and gives them a signal that your performance is over. Curtsy: A very feminine way to acknowledge the audience. This also allows the dancer to move her skirt out of the way for the exit. Depending on the costume, both hands may flair out the skirt, or one hand may flair the skirt while the other goes over the chest area for modesty. One foot is places slightly behind the other, and the knees and waist bend down forward. Floor Curtsy: A curtsy where the dancer goes all the way to the floor. This allows her to pick up any props she used and discarded during the dance. This works best if the dancer's curtsy is behind her props. Bow: a simple bow at the waist may be used, if the dancer feels it works best with her type of dance and the music. A simple leaning forward and bending at the waist is all that is used. Pose: a pose may also be used at the end of a dance, and is best if the dancer can look at the audience when she does it. Egyptian style, Greek styles, or even of a famous statue or art can be used, as well as any pose that the dancer thinks works with the music. The pose is also good for allowing the dancer to catch her breath. Poses may be used in conjunction with bows and curtsies if the dancer wishes. Waving & blowing kisses: For more informal style dances, the dancer may wave as she exits the stage. Be sure to wave to the entire audience, and try to keep the hands elegant and soft. Kisses should be done very generally, to be sure that no one gets the wrong idea. The dancer may wish to aim the kiss to the back wall of the dance area where no one is located. Group Bows or curtain calls: a troupe should decide what type of exit they will make before performing, and do it together. For curtain calls, a simple bow with clasp hands is usually what is used. However, sometimes the troupe will then clap for and to the audience to thank them. |