Dancing is a form of expression that has allowed many to speak about who they are and what they feel. Ballet Folklórico has become a way for individuals to be proud of Mexican culture and showcase to the world what that consists of. Knowing how to show this through choreographed dances can already be difficult within itself, however, adding a specific theme to it may or may not be as difficult. Consider our Artistic Director's key points of dance creation with a main theme.
As Ballet Folklórico Ti-Pai prepares another edition of its Bodas de México (Weddings of Mexico) series, being creative with different ways to portray a wedding within 12 minutes of show time can be a challenge. It comes with the stress of knowing what to sacrifice for the sake of time.
There are three things that should be taken into notice. The first thing to consider is ensuring that the theme is present throughout the whole piece. It is known that in some Ballet Folklórico workpieces, the wedding is only added at the beginning and the rest of the show looks as if nothing had happened. The love story should continue throughout the dance in different ways such as including certain aspects of a wedding in the actual dance sequences or choreographies or in dance breaks between songs.
The second thing that should be taken into notice when adding a theme to a performance is accuracy. When interpreting a Mexican wedding, there are many details that have to be unique to each region of the country. Traditions can be very specific and particular, making accuracy a very delicate attribute to satisfy throughout the dance. Making sure that everything that is being portrayed in a dance is true is key to the success of the dance piece.
The last thing that should be considered when adding themes, is allowing everyone to have fun! Whether it is in the process of creating the dance or including fun aspects for all dancers the theme can come to life. Even allowing each dancer to interpret or add to a theme with their own creative freedom can encourage dancers to feel like they are part of a meaningful production. Which of these key points will you try next?
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