2 3 Super Saturday Expressions | Ballet Webb

Saturday, September 6, 2014

Super Saturday Expressions



Super Saturday Expressions

It is said that most audience members tend to watch performers from the waist up – specifically their face.  Therefore it is of utmost importance to have a facial expression that is always consistent with the role being danced.

But what about during class?  Despite the fact that class is where a dancer hones his/her skills, and also stumbles, and sometimes even falls; it is still important that a dancer’s facial expressions are as trained as the rest of the body.  This is to prevent inadvertent moments on stage where a frown or scowl (or worse) might creep in (see dog above)!

The best way to describe the “standard face” for class is this:  it is a pleasantly engaged expression.  One that indicates concentration, but not to the point of looking stressed.  Rather, the dancer should appear to be involved in the process, in a focused way, without facial tension.  Not smiling, (most of the time), but pleasant and alert.  

So remember Ballet Secret #16m : look “pleasantly engaged”.

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:

Secret #16m:  
“A dancer should have a pleasantly engaged expression in class, most of the time.”

                Link of the Day:
                https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jV_lO9jFeUI

Quote of the Day:
“Few realize how loud their expressions really are. Be kind with what you wordlessly say.”
― Richelle E. Goodrich

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