A first time for everything...

The weekend just gone I have spent massively engulfed within performance, expect this time not as the performer but as the choreographer. My local dance school gave me the opportunity to be part of their production of 'Marry Poppins - The Ballet'. I was given the responsibility to choreograph a few numbers for the show, a challenge at first I found to be very daunting. Not only did I feel pressure to produce creative and capturing pieces, but also to be a good role model and teacher to the younger students. I had to reach a balance in order to establish my vision for the piece, without pushing the students too much, so it was still an enjoyable experience for them. During my training I remember how nervous I would feel when a guest choreographer would come into teach, as well as how difficult it can be to adapt to their particular style. I feel that my experiences in itself held me in good stead when I was passing on information and teaching the younger students. In addition to this, as a first time choreographer it was very much a learning curve for myself. I was able to explore stage patterning and lighting which was a huge aspect in one of my numbers. My newly found ability to reflect enabled me to go away at the end of each session to produce constructive criticism as well as positive feedback to aid the students and essentially help me reach the standard and performance I had hoped for my pieces. Watching dancers perform my work on stage was such a rewarding experience. I felt very proud of both them and myself in what we had been able to achieve. I am now beginning to understand the ins and outs of dance, show production and choreography at a greater level, which I really feel will benefit me within the next job I find myself in...