Owning the Dance Stage: How to Shine in Dance Competitions
Sunday, May 7, 2023
Competitions
Introduction
Dance competitions are an exciting and challenging way to showcase your talent, and with a myriad of upcoming dance competitions in Birmingham and across the UK, there's no shortage of opportunities to strut your stuff in a big event. In this blog, we will explore how to own the stage and put your best foot forward, ensuring that you wow the crowd - whether that's at a dance exhibition, competition or any on-stage performance!
Understanding Your Own Unique Style
Owning the Stage
To truly shine in a dance competition, it's essential to understand and embrace your unique style. This encompasses three key aspects:
Attitude
When it comes to competitive dance, your attitude on stage is crucial to your performance. A strong, positive attitude can captivate the audience and judges alike, so make sure to bring your A-game.
Confidence
Confidence is a must for any performer. Believe in yourself and your abilities to deliver a powerful and memorable performance. Confidence can be built through practice and experience, so keep honing your skills and stepping out of your comfort zone.
Performance Attire
An amazing outfit is the cherry on top of an amazing dance competition performance. Ensure that your attire complements your dance style and allows you to move freely. Choose pieces that enhance your movements and make you feel like the star you are.
Expressing Yourself
Finding Your Dance Voice
Your dance voice is what sets you apart from other dancers. It's the unique way you interpret and express yourself through movement. To find your dance voice, experiment with different styles, choreography, and music. Discover what resonates with you and what truly brings out the best in your performance.
Communicating Your Story through Movement
A well-told story through dance can captivate the hearts and minds of the audience. Use your movements to convey emotions, create connections, and share your journey with the viewers. The more your performance resonates with the audience, the more memorable it will be.
Rehearsal and Practice
Importance of Rehearsals & Freestyling
Rehearsals are essential for any dancer, as they provide the opportunity to perfect your routine, improve your technique, and build your confidence. Freestyling is also key to give yourself space and time to be creative and truly free. Without focusing time and energy, how will you know what your true flow in dance is? The more you rehearse, the more prepared you'll be to shine on the dance stage.
Time Management
Effective time management is crucial for a successful dance career. Allocate enough time for rehearsals, practice, and rest to ensure peak performance.
Overcoming Nerves
It can be nerve-wracking taking part in your first dance competition – that's just part and parcel of competing! Performers often feel that their sparkle seems to waver when competition nerves kick in, drawing the focus away from the performance.
The key to success is to ensure that anxiety is kept under control. A mistake often made is to become lost in the moment, forgetting the run-through or letting the fear of the unknown hinder the performance. Here are some tips to help those in a pinch:
Preparation Strategies
Stick to your plan and don't over-rehearse! Proper preparation can alleviate nerves and anxiety. Develop a routine that helps you get in the right mindset for your performance, and stick to it. Knowing what is expected will enable nerves to be kept at bay - the worst thing is to feel unprepared when stepping on the dance floor.
Keep it Positive
Try to stop yourself from running through doubts and fears inside your head. Adopting a positive outlook can help channel the energy into something better, like a determination to do your very best and enjoy the moment.
Visualisation
Visualise the upcoming performance and see the audience's admiration and enjoyment! Remember there is no such thing as the perfect show, and each and every performance is unique. Believe in yourself, and this will help to bring your enthusiasm and personality to the dancefloor. Enjoy the moment and let your talent shine.
Calming Techniques
Breathing exercises, meditation, and grounding techniques can help calm your nerves before taking the stage. Take some time to take deep breaths and steady your nerves – this can also relieve any muscle tension that is building up. Find what works for you and incorporate it into your pre-performance routine.
Being Ready for the Competition
Mental and Physical Preparation
It's important to be mentally and physically prepared for your dance competition. This includes proper nutrition, sleep, and self-care in addition to your rehearsal and practice routine.
Stay hydrated!
The last thing you want mid-performance is to feel yourself freezing up because you're desperate for a drink! The best performers know this, and making sure they're hydrated with a bottle of water or a sports drink is key.
Increasing Your Chances of Winning
Audience Engagement
Engaging with the audience can set you apart from other contestants. Make eye contact, use facial expressions, and perform with energy and enthusiasm.
Contestants and Judges
Be aware of your fellow contestants and the judges' preferences. Adapt your performance to appeal to a wide range of tastes and styles, while staying true to your unique dance voice.
Conclusion
Wrapping it All Up: Advice for a Winning Performance
In conclusion, the key to standing out from the crowd and shining in dance competitions is understanding and embracing your unique style, expressing yourself effectively, and putting in the necessary rehearsal and practice time.
Overcoming nerves, being mentally and physically prepared, and engaging with the audience and judges are also crucial components for a winning performance. So go forth, dancers, and own your competitions with confidence and grace!
Looking for a UK Dance Competition to get stuck into?
The Super Weekender 2023 will be hosting one of the UK's best dance competitions! The SDC Competition Arena offer solos, duos, quads, team & megacrew opportunities for dance schools, dance studios and colleges to perform at. The dance school with the highest overall score for the weekend event will be crowned The Super Weekender Ultimate Champions! Check out the rules here.
all you need to know
#frequently asked questions
What is The Super Weekender?
From amazing workshops and exhibits to once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to perform & showcase your talent, The Super Weekender is the ultimate dance experience!
What's unique about this dance exhibition?
At The Super Weekender, we're committed to hosting the ultimate dance exhibition! This means bringing together 15,000 dancers, performers and spectators from all corners of the country for a spectacular showcase of talent, creativity, and passion.
The dance exhibition at The Super Weekender is an awe-inspiring event where dancers of various styles and skill levels take to the stage, thrilling audiences with their performances. From ballet to hip-hop, contemporary to jazz, expect to be dazzled by a diverse array of dance genres and breathtaking choreography.
In addition to the captivating performances, our dance exhibition offers an incredible opportunity for dancers to network with fellow artists, learn from industry experts, and gain exposure to talent scouts and professional dance companies. With masterclasses, workshops, and exclusive dance lessons led by industry professionals like Dane Bates, attendees can hone their skills and gain invaluable insights into the world of dance.
The Super Weekender's dance exhibition is not only a celebration of dance but also a testament to the incredible dedication, hard work, and talent of the dancers who grace our stage. Don't miss your chance to be a part of this amazing event that showcases the best of the UK's dance community!
I want to dance! Can I perform?
Absolutely! The Chance2Dance Showcase Arena is exclusively designed for dance schools to perform and share their passion for dance with others. This fantastic opportunity allows dance schools of all varieties and styles to take the stage, gain valuable experience, and connect with fellow dance enthusiasts in a supportive and inspiring environment.
To perform on the Chance2Dance Showcase Arena, dance schools must sign up for a performance slot in advance. Please note that there may be certain guidelines and time limits to ensure all participating dance schools have an opportunity to perform, so make sure to check the specific requirements for the Chance2Dance Showcase Arena.
Whether you're a small dance school or a larger institution, the Chance2Dance Showcase Arena is the perfect platform to showcase your students' talent and celebrate the joy of dance with others who share your passion. Don't miss this incredible opportunity for your dance school to shine, build confidence, and create lasting memories at our event!
What about dance classes and lessons?
Of course! The Super Weekender is offering a variety of dance classes in Birmingham's premier events arena, the NEC. Anyone spending the weekend with us will be able to take part in a range of dance classes, workshops and exclusive training, catering to dancers of all skill levels and styles.
With an exciting lineup of instructors and a dedicated dance stage, you'll have the chance to learn, grow, and have fun!
Whether you're into freestyle dance, hip hop or any other popular style, our dance classes are designed to accommodate everyone's interests, and you're sure to find a wealth of opportunities to broaden your dance horizons.
To participate in the dance classes, all you need is a workshop dance ticket. Your ticket grants you access to the classes (depending on whether you have a day or weekend pass), allowing you to join in on the fun and learn from some of the best instructors in the industry. Check our ticket shop for information on purchasing tickets and the schedule of dance classes available during the event.
Don't miss this incredible opportunity to enhance your dance skills, connect with fellow dancers, and create lasting memories!
Can I take part in a dance competition?
Absolutely! The Super Weekender is hosting a series of competitions across the whole weekend for dance schools, studios & colleges.
Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned dancer, these competitions offer a fantastic platform for showcasing your talent, honing your skills, and learning from others in the dance community.
If you'd like to participate, visit our competition page for detailed information on the registration process, competition rules, and guidelines. There, you will find everything you need to know about our various competition categories, age groups, and entry requirements.
Participating in a dance competition is a rewarding and exciting experience. Not only do you get the opportunity to perform on stage, but you also have the chance to receive valuable feedback from experienced judges, network with fellow dancers, and potentially be crowned the Super Weekender ultimate champion!
So, don't hesitate to join us and make the most of this incredible opportunity to showcase your passion for dance and challenge yourself in a supportive and inspiring environment!
Where is the Super Weekender Exhibition held?
The event is held at the NEC Birmingham, a premier exhibition center in the heart of the UK. This fantastic venue offers state-of-the-art facilities and ample space to accommodate the diverse range of activities and performances that take place during our event.
The NEC is conveniently located near major transport links, making it easily accessible for attendees from all over the country. With a multitude of parking options and its close proximity to Birmingham International Airport and train station, getting to and from the venue is a breeze.
Not only is the NEC Birmingham an exceptional space for our event, but it also offers a wide range of amenities, including dining options, shopping outlets, and comfortable accommodation in the surrounding area. Its impressive infrastructure and commitment to providing a memorable visitor experience make the NEC Birmingham the perfect location for our dance extravaganza.
We're confident that you'll have an amazing time at our event, and the array of facilities available will make sure you can enjoy The Super Weekender 2023 in the best way possible!