So, I'll be brutally honest Emily, I didn't get it, and I stopped watching about 2 minutes into the piece. I didn't like any of the parts where there was "playacting" because it didn't seem to fit, and seemed like" filler" to me. I guess if you moved more no matter whether you were acting something out or dancing, it would have kept my attention a lot more. The energy you had with each other seemed very good, work more together to create more visually appealing lines or formations? No one answered your post and you seem like you really are open to honest feedback, more so than most of the people on here. I hope it's okay I was so honest, no harmful intent or mean energy behind what I'm saying is meant.

I didn't reply because I have seen the live version a few times and have already told you what I thought....

i do like the Marianna version better.. like at the bennifit

ok so here are some observations

Enterence.. Front dancer needs more purpose in her arms. Get the elbows away from her sides.
@ 1 minute with the hitch kicks - timing is off.

I love the comedy section - it is entertaining because it has a little surprise - but the other times I have seen it - Emily comes out after and I like that version better.

Around 6 minutes - I like the arm and positioning combination - just watch dancer on the left [from viewing video perspective] arems are a little sloppy. Also maybe not so much of Emily's back.. maybe turn profile for a bit.

how's that.?

Ok, I have some thoughts to share...overall it is clear that you guys are having fun and the camaraderie is great. The choreos are cute and feel complete, and I really like how you guys used the whole stage and changed the formations and levels frequently. I do wish a slower piece had been thrown in to break up the tempo...Nau Ashta is slowish but still very intense. I'd love to see you guys in person as I think it would have been easier to catch the details and energy that video doesn't pick up.

My critiques:

* Most of the transitions were pretty sloppy. I think that there was a little too much time taken for the transitions so it felt like there was some holding happening and some moments where no one was really doing much. I would concentrate on smoother, faster transitions, both between songs and between moves and combos.

* At the beginning where Emily is still dressed as a man, she does something that the others are looking at, but she's not in the light so it's totally lost. I know the video wasn't great quality, but for stuff that needs attention paid to it, try to get into the light as much as possible--even when the stage makes it difficult.

* The theatrical stuff is cute but needs to be way amped up to read onstage. I got the little scenarios (not sure why Emily was dressed up as a man or what the reveal was meant to do though) but the energy level was pretty low. Theatrical stuff is hard...we did a fair amount of it in Ultra Gypsy to widely varying degrees of success. It is a whole different skill set, so if you plan on doing more of it I suggest perhaps investing in some theater classes. Body language is especially important; many times I could tell you guys were acting out something but couldn't read what it was because it was far away...with the right body language you can really throw that energy across the room.

* I felt that overall the movements were a bit lax. I wanted to see more energy in the arms, shoulders and hips...often I felt that a move was hurried and felt unfinished. I'm not sure if the video was out of sync or not...sometimes you guys were right on but often were not. If the video is correct...you guys tend to hurry the beat and hit them too soon. I saw this especially during the 9/8. Those beats are hhhheeeeaaavvvyyyyy and the accents were hit way too soon, especially the fists on the hips and the heartbeats. I've performed to that song too (it's on youtube) so have listened to it a ton...try to really siiiink into those beats. As for the Rajasthani piece... again, the movements were a bit lax. I studied a bit of this while in UG with one of our girls who learned it from the Rajasthani dancers in India, and from my understanding the hand shapes and motions are supposed to be super sharp even when going fast, as are the bent body angles. Take care not to collapse the posture.

* Undulations/body rolls to the audience...keep in mind that the move is mostly lost if you do it angled straight on to the audience. Once is fine but since it's a move you guys favor, I'd consider angling slightly diagonal to really show it off.

* at 5:53 during the backbend extravaganza, the girl on the right lifts up her neck to look at the audience...first off OUCH that's one way to really hurt yourself, and secondly it didn't match the girl on the other side. Otherwise that move is very nice and I only wish you guys had gotten into it faster...the audience can read exactly where it's going before you land it, which takes away from the surprise.

*the next tableau at 6:06 is totally gorgeous!! Very nice work. The only thing is that it comes right after the backbend action, so you have two tableaus in a row, which takes away their power.

* at 6:40 when Emily does the layback with the pauses/hits/stops...the other girls should do those pauses as well. Her movements are so sharp and refined, and to make them really pop the other girls need to either mimic the same pauses at the same time or remain totally still. I was too busy trying to figure out what they were doing and missed the awesome layback! Had to watch twice ;)


I have thoughts on the drum solo but will get back to that later...hope the above helps for now! :)

Even though it's not my post, I did ask for more and you gave more - so I wanted to say thank you! for taking the time to watch and note and write. I know it will be super helpful!

Thanks everyone!! I will share this with the girls....