Think of something you would see in a Broadway show... and you'll be on the right track.
Add Arthur Murray, and one of the most popular Dance-O-Ramas® in the entire world, and what you get is the Unique Dance-O-Rama® Matinee Show.
Jessica Holty, Arthur Murray traveling consultant (and 14 year Matinee Show veteran), offers her tips on how to really "bring it" to this special, once a year, event.
"After 14 years, I still look forward to dancing in, and seeing, the show."- Jessica Holty
Your Guide To The Unique DOR Matinee Show
Be Creative With the Theme
Every year the show has a theme but don't hesitate to think outside the box in every way possible. Whether it's with:
- the music
- the concept of the routine
- the costumes
- the dancing
- whatever
Bottom Line: Creativity is king in this show. We see regular ballroom dance routines all the time, so this is your chance to do something different. Don't be afraid to let your imagination run wild!!
Pick A Genre For Your Routine
Think in terms of movie genres. This will make the routine clear and easy for the audience to follow. Is this routine:
- a comedy
- drama
- action
- tragedy
- romantic comedy
Bottom Line: Make sure everything in the routine lends itself to that genre so it isn't confusing. The best routines only happen when everyone watching knows what's going on.
Find A Great Song
Great music always helps make a great routine. Here are some tips once you've found your perfect song:
- Cut the music before you start the choreography so you know exactly what you will be working with.
- Matching the music to the choreography is top priority
Bottom Line: You will be listening to this song about a gazillion times. If you love the song now, you may not hate it by the time you perform.
Using Props The Right Way
We have all seen those routines that start with someone sitting in a chair. They get up, dance the routine, and never touch the chair again. I always see this as a wasted opportunity to make the routine more interesting. Try these ideas:
- Try using your prop in unexpected ways
- Keep in mind that some props are only useful for short times or just to move the storyline along
- Make sure your props are big enough for everyone to see
- If it is possible, make your prop an integral part of the routine
Bottom Line: Using props may make the dancing more challenging, but that also makes for extra entertainment value.
Go All Out With Costuming
Sometimes the costumes make the routine. There is even an award for the best costumes, so don't go half-way on this one.
- Make them, buy them, rent them, borrow them
- Decide how they will contribute to your theme
- Don't forget makeup and hair too!
- You should look the part head to toe
Bottom Line: Great costumes can help take your routine to the next level.
Be An Actor or Actress
The point of this show is theatricality.
- Your facial expressions and body language should contribute to your theme.
- Lip-synching is a big plus - as long as you know the words to the song
- Over-acting is also important because with the audience a little further away and on three sides of you
- Video record the routines when you practice so you can see what it looks like from the outside
Bottom Line: You need to be larger than life to get your message across. Odds are, even when you think you are doing enough you probably still need more. This is how you add acting to your routine.
Start Early And Practice Often
If you start early, the routine has time to get really comfortable. The goal is to have time for you to focus on the performance... instead of just the steps. Too often students are:
- Thinking about the patterns
- Thinking about the timing
- Not focused on performing
Human brains are not designed to multi-task. I watched a documentary on this so it must be true (wink).
Bottom Line: To really do an amazing Matinee Show routine you need to keep your lessons close together so you can focus on the acting, and interacting, with the audience... and your partner. Make sure you know the routine so well that you can do this with ease. The only thing that gets you to that point is time and repetition.
Perform It For An Audience
Performing in front of an audience ahead of time is highly recommended. This will give you a chance to test out the routine, get used to having an audience, and get feedback. You can:
- Do the routine during your lessons and have people watch
- Try at an in studio event
- Do a demonstration at one of the studio parties
- Work on it with an Arthur Murray Traveling Consultant
Bottom Line: If you can, don't make your first performance the big performance. Performing your routine in advance gives you a chance to get great feedback from yourself, your teacher, and others. Have you ever heard the saying "Two heads are better than one"? It's true! And more than two heads is even better! Different people see things in a different light and really can help make sure the routine is top notch. Not every suggestion works, but they are all worth a try.
Bonus! Winning an award!!
Finishing your routine, refining it, performing it, and having a blast in the process are great achievements when participating in the big show. As a bonus, there are many different awards you can as well - such as:
- Best Actor - goes to the best acting from a male student
- Best Actress - goes to the best acting from a female student
- Best Supporting Actor - goes to the best acting from a male teacher
- Best Supporting Actress - goes to the best acting from a female teacher
- Best Costuming - going beyond the normal "dance attire"
- Most Authentic - this is generally in reference to the original version of the song or what the inspiration for the routine is
- Best Comedy - generally reserved for the routine with the best "LOL" material
- Best Extravaganza - goes to the best routine with multiple teachers
- Best Studio Presentation - goes to the best studio formation
As the show continues to grow and get better and better each year, these awards are harder and harder to win. Last year there were 75 routines! It makes winning one of the 9 awards difficult with such a big field. Since one routine can qualify for multiple categories, here is my final tip if you want to get strategic in the awards category.
If you have a:
- Comedy routine
- With great costumes
- Is Authentic
- Uses more than one teacher
You'd be eligible for at least 6 awards!
So now that you know how to make an amazing routine for an amazing Matinee Show, I can't wait to see what everyone brings to the floor.
