I have danced at churches for many years now and I’m in a position to pass my knowledge on to a young dancer. There are obvious things to teach her – like my approach to liturgical choreography. But, like web programming, there is much more to dancing at church than just doing the dance itself.

I know this post will be useful to a limited number of people (and not my usual readers), but I hope that someone out there finds it helpful.  Liturgical dance is an exciting dance form, but it is also the easiest dance form to overlook the logistics.  If a dancer can get a handle on these logistics in addition to the grace and beauty of dance, the churches will be coming back for more.  And while some people will find this hard to believe, a dancer that can master these can make a living at it.  Churches have dance troupes and there are church conferences that bring guest teachers in as well.

In terms of logistics, dancers often think of what to wear when dancing at church. The key is to keep it modest and build yourself a collection of colors to work with (church colors that is). A long sleeve leotard, tights, a full length flowing skirt, and a tunic work great. Its easiest to start with different colored tunics, then build your collection of skirts. I sew my own, but you can purchase these as well.

There are lots of other logistics that get glossed over though. First, who gets to select the piece? I recommend hearing music at least once before committing to doing choreography and dancing. I also recommend setting deadlines. Such as ensuring you get the music 3 or 4 weeks before the day of the service. How many weeks is really up to the individual, but know your limits. Also make sure this includes an audio copy. It should not be up to the dancer to play the song on a piano (or other instrument) when they are suppose to be dancing.

Next, communicate about rehearsing. Its easy to say yes you can dance on a given Sunday, but then forget that you need to rehearse with your accompanist (or choir, etc) in the sanctuary. There are a few key pieces here. First is timing. Make sure everyone needed is available. Second is having the rehearsals with enough time to make adjustments for tempo and other changes in the music. Rehearsing the day before the service is not recommended when you are first starting out.  I have received an audio copy that was a one temp and then gone to a rehearsal to hear a completely different tempo.  I had to re-choreograph most of the piece.  Last is having enough time for adjustments to physical space. Remember sanctuaries are not theatres. You have candleabras, baptism fountains, alters, stairs, and other various physical limitations.  It is also important to know what space is available to you.  There may be other musicians using some of the space and you need to communicate up front what space you have to use.  I’ve done an entire piece with just an aisle.

The logistics are done up front mostly for your sanity.  Remember that liturgical dance is about letting God shine through you.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 29th, 2009 at 8:18 am and is filed under Ramblings. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.