Future Development Plan

 Future Development Plan

Strengths / Progress

One skill I have most certainly made progress in is my co-ordination.  At the beginning of the academic year it was clear I wasn't too sure what I was doing in dance as I haven't got much of a dance background. As I had never really done dance I was always behind and needed extra help in the theory work as well as practically, especially when it came to coordinating different parts of the body. The main skill I wasn't getting the hang of as much as the others was co-ordination, as shown in my 'Exercise to Develop Physical Skill' blog. One performance task we had done this year was tap dancing. Coordination is very crucial in tap dancing because it involves synchronizing your upper body movements, and head and neck movements, with your footwork. This synchronization enhances the overall performance, making your tap dance sequences look more polished and professional. Good coordination ensures that your entire body moves harmoniously, creating a visually appealing and well-executed dance routine. It also helps maintain proper rhythm and timing, which are fundamental aspects of tap dancing. But I didn't let not having a dance background get to me, I made sure I always asked for help when I was struggling so I could perfect and then move onto the next thing and progress. I also got feedback on all my skills over the year when doing certain dances, so that helped me improve on them, especially coordination as I believe when it comes to coordination now I am absolutely fine.

Another skill I have definitely made progress in this academic year is my stamina. At the very beginning of the year we got right into our production of 'Rock of Ages'. As I was mainly ensemble, that meant a lot of backing vocals and a lot of dancing which is very hard to maintain breath for both. Not long after we had our dance solos which I had a lot of jumps and running around which was very tiring so I had to maintain my stamina. Stamina is essential in dancing because it allows you to maintain energy and endurance throughout a performance or practice session. With good stamina, you can execute complex dance moves, like tap dance sequences, with precision and consistency. It also helps you stay focused and present during longer dance routines, ensuring that you can showcase your skills effectively rom start to finish. Building stamina through regular practice and physical conditioning is key to becoming a strong and resilient dancer. So that is what I did, I did a lot of practice and exercises to make sure I could maintain my stamina when dancing and just for everyday exercises such as walking. Maintaining your stamina shows you are very healthy and physically active which are both very good things.

One other skill I feel I have made progression in over this academic year is the performance skill expression. Throughout the year it has been a key thing to show expression when performing, not just dancing but also singing and acting. I begun the year with Rock of Ages and I remember I wasn't great at showing facial expressions and stage presence as I was too focused on trying to get the dance right, and sometimes I would mess up the dance because I was way too focused on the dance and was pushing myself to get it perfect. Expression is crucial in dancing because it adds emotion, storytelling, and personality to your movements. When you dance with expression, you connect with your audience on a deeper level, conveying feelings and messages through your performance. Once again in tap dancing, expression can help you communicate the rhythm, mood, and narrative of the music you're dancing to. It allows you to captivate and engage your audience, making your performance more memorable and impactful. So once I noticed this in the very last show of Rock of Ages when I messed up slightly because I was so focused on getting it right, I just tried focusing on my stage presence. For example in our One Night Only show we had a Jazz/Lyrical and a Mamma Mia piece and I made sure that not only I was getting the dance correct but I was also making sure my expression was perfect and fitting for the dances. I would work on this through the many rehearsals we had. I have also made sure I had been consistent with this in many other dances we have done over the year, such as tap and our little musical theatre piece which were both featured in our Spotlight show.

The final skill I think I have improved on in this academic year is my posture and alignment. Even though I don't have much of a dance background, I know posture and alignments play a huge part in it. and I know that when it comes to alignment your feet need to be two fists apart from each other and obviously your posture has to be straight. Having proper posture and alignment when dancing is essential because it not only enhances your performance but also helps prevent injuries. When you maintain good posture and alignment, you create a strong foundation for your movements, allowing you to execute steps with precision and control. It also contributes to the overall aesthetic of your dance by showcasing your lines and movements more elegantly. Additionally, proper alignment reduces strain on your muscles and joints, decreasing the risk of injuries that can occur from dancing with poor posture. Every time we rehearse now I make sure I stick to keeping good posture and alignment so that it sticks in my head for when it comes to actual performances so that I'm not overly worried if I'm doing it wrong when it comes to it.

Areas for Development

A style I think I need more improvement on if I was to continue it in the future is tap. When I found out tap was a style we were going to be working on and that we would perform the number in one of our shows, I was very worried as I don't have a huge dance background and to me, tap is a very difficult style to do, especially with not much of a dance background. I struggled every time we started a new sequence as I couldn't pick it up very quickly and easily, I always needed extra help from my teacher. There were times where I got the sequence perfectly right but other times it would be so wrong. In the end I seemed to know everything and thought I was fine, which I was until one part in the performance I completely messed up and it threw me off for the rest of the sequence. In future I think I will work and rehearse more on whatever dance I am doing, weather that is in college or at home just so I can turn up to our next dance lesson knowing what I am doing and not having to go over and over it with my teacher when everyone else has been given a new sequence to go through.

A performance skill I think I still need improvement on is directional focus. Whenever I'm dancing I always look at the floor to see if I'm doing it right and it has become a really annoying habit. Directional focus is crucial as it helps guide the audience's attention, creates a sense of intentionally in movement, and enhances the overall performance. By directing their focus in specific directions, dancers can communicate emotions, tell a story, and engage the audience effectively. It also adds depth and dimension to choreography, making movements more dynamic and visually appealing. Additionally, directional focus can help dancers maintain spatial awareness, interact with other performers, and ensure smooth transitions during a dance routine. So to improve in future I will set targets like focusing on specific points in the dance space, aligning my movements with the choreography to emphasize directionally, practicing eye contact with different areas of the audience, and visualizing imaginary lines or pathways to guide my movements. By setting these targets and incorporating them into my dance practice, I can enhance my performance effectively communicating intention and engaging the audience through precise directional focus.

Another performance skill I believe I still need improvement on is extension. I always seem to tense up and never let my body extend and use the space when I dance. I always use such a small space and it makes me individually look out of place when in a big number. Extension is crucial because it emphasizes the full expression of movement, showcasing lines, shapes, and dynamics with precision and grace. It involves lengthening the body, limbs, and lines to their fullest potential, creating a visually captivating and aesthetically pleasing performance. Extension not only enhances the technical quality of dance but also conveys emotions, strength, and fluidity in movements, allowing dancers to communicate narratives and connect with the audience on a deeper level. It adds beauty, elegance, and power to dance routines, making performances more engaging and impactful. A target I could set myself to act upon this in the future is focusing on elongating my lines and limbs to their fullest extent, practicing proper alignment and posture to support extension, working on flexibility through regular stretching exercises, and paying attention to details like pointed toes and stretched fingers to enhance the overall aesthetic of my movements. By setting these targets and consistently working on them during practice, I can improve my extension and elevate the quality of my dance performance.

The final physical skill I think I need to work more on and be more confident in is strength. During our Jazz/Lyrical number we put together this year I had to do some lifts for the very first time in dance and I was very panicked as I thought I wasn't strong enough to do any of that. Strength allows dancers to execute movements with power, control, and stability. It supports the body in maintaining proper alignment, executing jumps, lifts, turns, and sustaining challenging positions. By developing strength, dancers can enhance their technical abilities, prevent injuries, and perform with confidence and precision. Additionally, strength contributes to the overall athleticism and artistry of dance, enabling dancers to express emotions and convey narratives effectively through their movements. To improve my strength in dance, I could set targets such as focusing on specific muscle groups during strength training, incorporating exercises like planks, squats, lunges, and core workouts into my routine, gradually increasing resistance and repetitions to build endurance and power, and maintaining consistency in my strength training regimen. By setting these targets and dedicating time to targeted strength exercises, I can enhance my physical abilities, elevate my performance quality, and reduce the risk of injuries while dancing.

Opportunities

There are many reasons Unit 13 & 14 have provided me with many opportunities. Once again I didn't have a lot of experience in dance before coming here and doing this unit but now I feel very experienced in dance. One opportunity these units have given me is our production of 'Rock of Ages'. As I was mainly in the ensemble I had a lot of dance to do for this production which I think was a good way to begin the year. During this period I was making sure I set myself targets, which were to work on these dances at home as well as in college so I could perfect that number and move onto the next one without worrying about not knowing the dance. 

Another opportunity that was given in this unit was having my own dance solo and learning what it is like to be in a dance number by myself. I found it pretty easy as this was a dance I could put together myself but also use some choreography that I had found online, so I could go at my own pace and I wasn't having to be in time with anyone else, just myself and the music. Doing this dance solo allowed me to showcase my individual artistry, express my unique style and interpretation of a choreography, and develop a deeper connection to the music and movement. Solos provides us dancers with the opportunity to refine our technique, musicality, and performance skills, fostering personal growth and confidence on stage. Additionally, dancing solos challenges us to push our creative boundaries, exploring new movement possibilities, and stand out as performers, contributing to our overall artistic development and versatility in the dance world.

Another opportunity that was given to just me this year was getting to do some lifts, which at first I was very worried about but it was something different I have never done before so it meant a lot of work before perfection. But learning a new technique like lifts was a fantastic opportunity to challenge myself, expanding my repertoire, and adding dynamic elements to my performances. By mastering lifts, I can enhance the visual impact of my choreography, create breathtaking moments on stage, and collaborate closely with my dance partner to achieve seamless and graceful movements. Incorporating lifts into my repertoire not only elevates the complexity of my routines but also cultivates trust, teamwork, and communication between dancers. It opens up new possibilities for artistic expression, allows me to explore different styles of dance, and ultimately enriches my overall dance experience.  

Last but not least, just the opportunity to dance and learn so much about dance I had never learn before has been an amazing experience. Although dance is my least favorite in the triple threat, I can't wait to see what I will get up to next year in dance. When in this industry, learning new dance techniques and dance in general is crucial because it allows me to expand my skills, express myself creatively and grow as a dancer. By exploring different techniques, I can enhance my versatility, improve my physical abilities, and broaden my artistic range. Dance provides a platform for self-expression, emotional release, and storytelling, enabling me to communicate with the audience through movement. Embracing dance not only natures my passion for the art form but also promotes physical fitness, mental well-being, and discipline. Overall, engaging in dance enriches my life, fosters personal growth, and brings joy and fulfillment through movement.  

Level One

In addiction to my current course, I volunteer in the front of house at the Regent Theatre, Ipswich. Working in this professional theatre environment helps keep me up to date with a range of professional touring productions that are staged at the theatre. This role also develops my communication skills with the public and is helping to further develop my self confidence.

This year I have seen a range of professional productions - the most memorable was Matthew Bourne's 'Edward Scissorhands' at the Norwich Theatre Royal. This production combined a range of dance styles to communicate the emotional story without any words. Watching these performances have inspired me to learn new styles and techniques to get better at dance for a possible future career in performing arts / dance. I will continue to look into and go and watch more performances for more experience and more inspiration. I will also continue trying to get my name around when volunteering at the Regent Theatre.

Level Two

I plan to complete my pre-professional training, gaining BA Hons in Musical Theatre at Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts. The reason this institution has taken my interest is because it has some of the best facilities in the UK with many dance, acting, and singing studios with everything that is needed when taking these courses such as sprung floors, full length mirrors and sound systems. When at Italian Conti, nearly all students get signed to an agent at the very end if the course, which will increase my likelihood of getting into this industry. Another thing I like about Italia Conti is that one of their key characteristics is the collaborative and interdisciplinary approach that they bring to everything. Along with their vibrant and nurturing atmosphere in the college, underpins the success of their students and makes for a superb training environment. Overall, I believe Italia Conti is a fantastic place to go and study further education for anyone who wants to continue in performing arts.