Dancers Positioning
why does it bother dancers so much?
What's the story with positioning of dancers and their placement in different dance formations? What goes on behind the scenes? Who gets hurt? Who smiles, and who really deserves to be in the front?
You're all probably asking what is so important in positioning, and why have I chosen to share with you how to position dancers. What I want to tell you about is the process called positioning. It is a difficult process incumbent on every choreographer. This process has many implications, some good others not so much.
At every professional dance school, dance group, or workshop, the time always comes when the teacher has to make a hard decision. This teacher who worked with a group, loves and respects all its members. Even if all are diligent students who give 110%, some are better than others.
When the choreographer forms his dance he wavers and changes his mind throughout, until he reaches a formation that is satisfactory. The choreographer believes that this is the formation in which the group will look strongest on stage.
Usually the choreographer will take the stronger members of the group and place them in positions considered to be "better",- in the front and the middle. When I say "stronger", what do I actually mean? The stronger dancers are not the ones the teacher loves or respects more. The stronger dancers are the ones that take in and absorb faster, perform the moves cleaner, connect better with the style of the teacher, and their talent is very apparent. It does not mean that the rest of the group isn't good, but because we are talking about positioning in formation, we can all agree that we can't stand in a straight line in every dance.
And now comes the main problem with positioning- arguments over placement and jealousy, both of which puts the teacher in an uncomfortable situation. Throughout the year, the teacher is dedicated to the students; teaching all of the students in the same way, equally explaining, without bias or difference, and guiding them step by step until the dance is complete. From there on, it is out of the teacher's hands- each student receives the information and demonstrates their capability.
The road to the front row must be paved by the student himself, and that means hard work. The greatest challenge awaiting every student is the need to stand out from a large group of dancers, so the teacher will notice.
In the studio, when a group works with a teacher, all the students including the teacher know who the better students are. Some accept this, but some feel envious, which is normal for anyone. As a professional dancer, one must accept this and never forget that there will always be a better dancer. Even if you're the best dancer from your group, there will always be another group with better dancers. Indeed, the world of dance is competitive and difficult just as with all performing arts.
I personally, always believe in encouragement. You can always help those who are not as strong, and learn from those who are stronger, and do this with pleasure and friendship. At the end of the day it does not matter who stands where, every student in a workshop or a professional school, enjoys studying a new language- the language of dance: whether it be physical fitness, considerable improvement in coordination, and learning different styles of dance and enriching your dance material.
