Good luck to all of our solo GCSE and BTEC performers who are entering this year's Great Big Dance Off 2021.
Here's some information about how the new solo category is going to work this year.
SOLO COMPETITION
Entry Procedure
We've got some information about the judging criteria too.
Choreography
Be as creative as you want. Don’t be frightened to tell a story. Think about what you want the audience to feel.
Make the dance visually exciting to watch, add lifts, holds & freezes. Know the style of dance you’re performing in & explore its catalogue of movement.
Make sure you travel / transition with intent making full use of space.
Keep placement & formations neat & tight. Know where you should be.
Execution
Know your music as well as the dance. Work on making sure your execution is in time with the music. Repetition is key to bringing timing together.
Use all the space you have & use it with purpose. Change your levels by jumping, crawling, rolling & kneeling. Introduce moments of stillness to add depth.
Technique
Think about posture, how you stand & hold yourself. What direction should you face, are your feet turned in or out? Where should your arms be? Avoid fidgeting or fixing hair.
Make sure each movement is smooth & runs seamlessly into the next. If your mixing styles this is an area to focus on. Showcase strength with lifts, holds & freezes.
Know the style or styles you are performing & deliver your choreography & movements correctly. Understand the music & entice the audience to connect & feel your dance.
Overall
Good eye contact can go a long way & will help the audience connect with you. Enjoy what you’re doing & be genuine. Remember, false smile stand out! If you enjoy what you do & feel it, chances are the audience will too.
Whether it’s upbeat & crowd enticing or sombre & tells a story or strikes an emotion, the crowds response is important in letting judges know how well your dance was received.