There seems to be a growing respect and need for stage choreography (a la Belly Dance Super Stars). I wanted to float the idea of sponsoring a choreography competition out there. A lot of you (all of you?) on this tribe compete, so what do you think of the idea?
If I did it, it would be as objective as possible, so there would be scoring criteria as there was when I sponsored the East Coast Classic (and as they continue to have). It wouldn't just be a panel of judges saying, "We like this one best." You'd have a score sheet beforehand to help you prepare for the competition. It would judge the elements common to any choreography such as space, energy, form, musicality, the look, the blend of skill level of the performers, appropriate costuming, as well as the use of things like contrast, repetition, cascades, expanding, contracting, tempo, etc. Of course not all pieces will use the same elements, but there whatever is used would be scored.
I think it would have to be separated by solo and group and beginner, intermediate and advanced, but I haven't thought too much about that. (Your thoughts would be appreciated). Any style could be entered- folklore, tribal, fusion, American style, Egyptian style, etc.
As in most dance competitions, contestants would get the judge's feedback on what was done well and what could be improved upon. And in fact, that should be the main focus of entering.
So what do you think? Are we "ready" for a choreography competition? I think there are three distinct talent areas in dance: performing, teaching and choreographing. We've established the performing arena. Are we ready to explore choreography as another area of "competition". (My goal is really to enhance what we have and acknowledge the talent that is out there rather than to establish "competition" among choreographers.)
Thanks in advance for your thoughts,
Taaj
www.taaj.org
If I did it, it would be as objective as possible, so there would be scoring criteria as there was when I sponsored the East Coast Classic (and as they continue to have). It wouldn't just be a panel of judges saying, "We like this one best." You'd have a score sheet beforehand to help you prepare for the competition. It would judge the elements common to any choreography such as space, energy, form, musicality, the look, the blend of skill level of the performers, appropriate costuming, as well as the use of things like contrast, repetition, cascades, expanding, contracting, tempo, etc. Of course not all pieces will use the same elements, but there whatever is used would be scored.
I think it would have to be separated by solo and group and beginner, intermediate and advanced, but I haven't thought too much about that. (Your thoughts would be appreciated). Any style could be entered- folklore, tribal, fusion, American style, Egyptian style, etc.
As in most dance competitions, contestants would get the judge's feedback on what was done well and what could be improved upon. And in fact, that should be the main focus of entering.
So what do you think? Are we "ready" for a choreography competition? I think there are three distinct talent areas in dance: performing, teaching and choreographing. We've established the performing arena. Are we ready to explore choreography as another area of "competition". (My goal is really to enhance what we have and acknowledge the talent that is out there rather than to establish "competition" among choreographers.)
Thanks in advance for your thoughts,
Taaj
www.taaj.org
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Virginia
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Re: choreography competition?
Mon, February 18, 2008 - 8:40 AMThere is a Choreography competition out there.. Saw something posted... here on this tribe I think.
Did a little Google searching found this
CHOREOGRAPHY COMPETITION FOR MIDDLE EASTERN DANCE
www.medancecertification.org/cho...html
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Re: choreography competition?
Mon, February 18, 2008 - 9:31 AMYes, but they would not be the same in that that one doesn't have criteria so you aren't scored on specific choreography elements and you don't get feedback. So it would seem that although there is a contest out there for this, they would serve different markets and needs.
Taaj
www.taaj.org -
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Re: choreography competition?
Mon, February 18, 2008 - 4:04 PMisn't choreography, a component you are judged on when you perform any way?
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Re: choreography competition?
Mon, February 18, 2008 - 9:39 PMI dont see the value in this that you would not already get from a regular competition. Maybe you could explain your concept in more detail. -
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Re: choreography competition?
Tue, February 19, 2008 - 4:10 AMAt the East Coast Classic, you were not judged on choreography because you didn't have to do choreography. Some of the elements of what makes a good dance a good dance were included in the scoring criteria, but not "choreography" per se.
I know that there are a lot of people who put together choreographies that aren't good choreographies. So the concept would be to recognize and award that talent and also help people (through the judge's feedback) to become better at creating choreography.
I have a lot of Tamalyn Dallal's show videos. She puts on two hour staged events with different themes that are just spectacular. She takes into consideration lighting, staging, costuming as well as movement. Some are elegant and simple. Some are really intricate. THAT'S what I am talking about. It's more than just a dance. It's an event that includes all the elements that created it.
I see performance competition as the judging of the execution of that. I see a choreography competition as the judging of the creation of that- the execution would be included too, although the focus would be more on the creation. I think most people use basic elements of choreography, but a "good" choreographer uses them in new and exciting ways. So, this wouldn't be a competition for what you do at a restaurant probably, but a theater piece.
How to create choreography isn't really taught in belly dance classes, so maybe it's an idea that would only resonate with people who come from western dance (probably) and spent their time in theaters.
Taaj- who is still not sure she's explained the concept well
www.taaj.org- -
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Re: choreography competition?
Tue, February 19, 2008 - 7:37 AMI think this is a fantastic idea- I think good choreographers are undervalued and would love to see a way to showcase their talents & potentially learn from them. You are right, choreographic skills are not taught to most ME dancers- it takes much gleaning, good perception and not a few mistakes along the way to pick it up- and I'm not really there yet! But I want to be.
So, I would probably not be participating as a contestant ;) but I would love to watch such a thing!
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Re: choreography competition?
Thu, February 21, 2008 - 10:23 PMI've never seen "choreography" as part of the criteria. Not at BDUSA, Double Crown, MED&CA or Wiggles of the West.
Appearance - costuming
Technique
Body Basics
Performance
Originality
Music Interpretation
but not choreo unless for Troupe/duet...
So do you meen the contest would be for troupes?
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Re: choreography competition?
Fri, February 22, 2008 - 3:37 AMNo, it could be for soloists or groups. The point would be the award and recognize the differences between the Bob Fosses of the world (or Mahmoud Reda in the bellydance world) and the La Petite Academy type works. I don't think it's "fair" for that skill to be unrecognized as teaching, performing, and choreographing are completely different things and everyone isn't good at all three.
Taaj
www.taaj.org -
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Re: choreography competition?
Wed, February 27, 2008 - 11:02 AMI think it would be cool if you gave contestants the music only 24hrs before hand, and they had only over night to come up with a chorography. Or it would be cool if was like a 3day convention where you were given a pro dancer and that dancer, that you have never met had to learn your chorography and then compete with it for you. Show your teaching and chorography skills! But That that might be to elaborate LOL -
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Re: choreography competition?
Wed, February 27, 2008 - 11:32 AMThere are two competitions I know of that you are given your music with less than 24 hrs to dance it. Liliies of the Valley Pro Challenge you get to listen to your music once like 30 mins before you go on stage to dance to it. The other is the Double Crown and you recieve your music the night before your compete.
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Re: choreography competition?
Wed, February 27, 2008 - 4:40 PMI think it is a good idea but I think to be judgable everyone in a single category would have to use the same piece of music, otherwise you will be trying to judge Apples to Oranges to Mangos. If each had the same piece of music you would have a chance to see how the choreographer "solved" the transitions and mood or tempo changes in the piece. -
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Re: choreography competition?
Wed, February 27, 2008 - 6:39 PMI think if the rythum is the same or the orchestra the same it would work..
I like the idea of the 24 hour time frame... it would be fun to all be in one place... choose up sides and run off to choreograph.. like high school dance camp. ... ooohhh I have an Idea for Mez's retreat !!!
Mez you reading this ;-)
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ok so back to topic... I am curious to see how this all comes out. -
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Re: choreography competition?
Thu, February 28, 2008 - 3:56 AMYou guys have thrown out some really interesting ideas and arguments to not do it as well. I appreciate your feedback a LOT! Alas, for various reasons, I have decided not to pursue this idea. I think it's promising and still believe that this is a separate talent from performing that should be recognized, so if anyone wants to take it on, feel free! You have my total support.
Taaj
www.taaj.org -
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Re: choreography competition?
Thu, February 28, 2008 - 9:43 PMHi, I just posted a note about a choreography competition here
tribes.tribe.net/bellydanc...e56cb5898b
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Re: choreography competition?
Sun, March 2, 2008 - 6:23 AMI think that's a good point, but there are also other things you can jusge on... use of floor space, level changes, etc...that can be judged no matter what music they are using/how different they are. It makes me think of those cheerleading/dance competitions on ESPN.
That actually made me think of something else- For cheerleading competitions they have a certain number of things that every group is required to encorporate into their routine... maybe we could think of some things that the judges would be looking at (like a strong intro and ending or level changes or ...anything) and give that to everyone in the contest so that they know what to expect...
i dont know, just an idea =o) -
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Re: choreography competition?
Sun, March 2, 2008 - 8:07 AMSame thing in Drill for Equestrian. At the beginning of the season you get a list of required moves and some extra point optionals.
that would make it interesting... ok now we are getting some where.. What else would there need to be ? -
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Re: choreography competition?
Sun, March 2, 2008 - 9:29 AM>>>> What else would there need to be ?
I think the compulsory requirements would be elements of choreography which are: time, energy, space, and form. Some ways of expressing those things would be through: mirroring, quality, repetition, retrograde, rhythm, size, symmetry, assymetry, speed, staging, unity and variation.
I don't think you need to use the same piece of music to judge if those elements are used or how well they are used. I don't think all elements need to be used in all pieces (except time, energy, space and form). I think what makes a choreography "good" or not depends on whether the elements are used wisely or not.
I think the biggest problem to this type of competition is finding judges that know what they are looking at.
Taaj
www.taaj.org -
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Re: choreography competition?
Sun, March 2, 2008 - 1:46 PMoh definitly different music if you have some "required" moves.. maybe even some required combinations.. that would make another layer to it.
Judges.. yah that is a tuffy.. and When to have the comp and where...
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Re: choreography competition?
Mon, March 3, 2008 - 2:19 PMoh! I love the cheer idea as to have a list of thing to do. That would help in seeing how you can work the moves in with out them looking out of place. i think it would havt to be the same rythem or composer. I love this competition!
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Re: choreography competition?
Sun, March 2, 2008 - 6:19 AMIf people are interested... I run a campus organization at my college and we could *possibly* plan something like this.
I'm not sure how much that type of thing would cost though- I know people would pay to enter the competition but would we pay judges/would we have to pay for them to get here etc? Our club can use the campus auditorium, dance studio, and theater area for free if we reserve it in time.
We are located in Kirksville, MO though- so I'm not sure how many people would come way out to the middle of nowhere for this. (we're about 3 hours from St. Louis/Kansas City/Des Moines, IA)
anyway... I like the idea. I love to choreograph troupe routines!
