Hitting every movement is important. However, your facial expressions are just as valuable when performing. Nailing those facial expressions will bring your routine to the next level. Use those expressions to capture your audience’s attention at high-stakes competitions or recitals.
Figure out the Emotion You Want to Show
Before you are ready to go on stage, it is important to think about which emotions you are attempting to portray. The emotion you portray in a lyrical dance might be sad or emotional, while a hip-hop routine might be more exaggerated and high-energy. Understanding how you feel about what you are dancing is key for figuring out the expressions to share those feelings with your audience.
Match Expressions to Your Movements
Your face should be just as much a part of your body movements as your arms or legs. They should move together as one fluid piece. If you are going to create a sharp movement with your arms, then that needs to follow through with your facial expressions, like looking into the audience with an intense and focused look in your eyes. For more graceful and fluid movements, you will want to have more relaxed expressions, like small smiles and keeping your eyes open and soft.
Stop Overthinking It
When you start getting nervous about performing, it can be easy to overthink and forget anything beyond the choreography. When we think about performing, we are trying to remember the dance and make it look good, and facials aren’t what comes to mind. When you go out to perform, trust yourself to know the steps so you can consider small details. Overthinking quickly becomes stressful. Just relax, breathe, and have fun. After all, dance is all about expressing yourself.
Build Confidence
A good way to start incorporating facial expressions into your dancing is by putting one into your routine. This will help you emphasize practicing that particular expression. For instance, add a pause with a dramatic breath to your lyrical or contemporary routine. Practice will help you to get used to how it feels to dance and use your facial expressions throughout your performances.
