Dance Spacing. It might sound simple, but any dance teacher knows it can be the make-or-break factor in a successful class or performance, especially with young dancers. I vividly recall a moment early in my career when a lack of spatial awareness led to a mid-performance collision with another dancer. The director’s feedback was… memorable.
Teaching dance spacing to young students can feel overwhelming. For those outside the dance world, the challenge might be underestimated. But for ballet teachers and dance educators, we understand the crucial role spacing plays.
Bridging Classroom and Stage Spacing
The secret to successful stage spacing lies in replicating the classroom environment as closely as possible. If you use tape marks for spots in class, use tape on stage. If you employ numbered positions in the studio, maintain that system backstage.
The essential point is to consistently use tools in class to help students understand their personal space. Expecting young dancers to grasp spacing concepts for the first time while simultaneously learning choreography is setting them up for failure. It’s simply too much new information to process at once.
The Art of Smart Spacing
Strategic spacing in both the classroom and on stage is crucial for student engagement and comfort.
Placing students too close together breeds distraction and chatter. Dancers feel cramped, and for some, this can be a major deterrent to enjoying dance altogether.
Conversely, spacing dancers too far apart can create a sense of isolation. The group dynamic weakens, and engagement diminishes as dancers drift into their own worlds. Some might even wander offstage if positioned too far towards the wings.
Ideal dance spacing allows each student to occupy their own imaginary “hula-hoop” of personal space, ensuring no hoops are touching.
Mastering Circle Formations
For my 4- to 6-year-old classes, incorporating circle formations into almost every dance is a technique I swear by. Achieving a cohesive circle can be challenging, but the team-building benefits and visual appeal on stage make it worthwhile. I teach circle formation in these five methodical steps:
Step 1: Begin by holding hands to form a circle.
Step 2: Expand the circle by stretching outwards while still holding hands. Emphasize: NO pulling on each other!
Step 3: Maintain foot placement and release hands.
Step 4: Take three normal steps backwards.
Step 5: Turn to face the center of the circle.
When incorporating a circle formation into choreography, I guide them through these steps deliberately, without rushing. I believe this skill is a valuable addition to any performance.
With preschoolers, my approach is more flexible. While I do use circle formations on stage, they are assigned specific “circle spots” rather than creating the circle shape dynamically. We dedicate practice time to transitioning from their “center spots” to their designated “circle spots.”
Simplicity in Formations
Formations are fantastic choreographic tools, but for young dancers, limit formations to two or three in a single dance. Overly complex formations become confusing, increasing the risk of dancers getting lost in transitions. Diagonals are also best avoided for dancers younger than seven.
A typical dance structure for my youngest groups might look like this:
- Start in center spots.
- Transition to a circle formation.
- Return to center spots to finish.
For a slightly more advanced class, a routine could be:
- Begin in a line upstage.
- Move to center spots.
- Transition to a circle formation.
- Return to the upstage line.
- Move back to center spots for the final pose.
*Important Note: My younger dancers consistently conclude their performances in their center spots. I avoid complex group poses on stage with this age group for a cleaner, more focused finish.
My key takeaway after years of teaching ballet to young children is that if a spacing concept isn’t mastered in class, it shouldn’t be included in a performance piece. My second crucial insight is the importance of repeatedly practicing formation transitions until they become second nature. My final piece of wisdom: Perfection is unattainable. Expect some level of delightful chaos. Release the need for flawlessness and embrace the beautiful messiness of growth.
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