When we think of choreographing a new dance, most of us instantly think of what song we connect with at the moment. But what if there were other sounds to choreograph to? After all, dancing is all about expressing yourself and your feelings through movement. But you can also do it through words, including a spoken word dance. If you are someone who loves to write or just feel like the world needs to hear your voice along with your dancing, then this is perfect for you.
Choosing the Right Poem
It’s important to pick a poem that resonates with you and what you are trying to say to the audience. This can be something that relates to you emotionally or personally, like the loss of a loved one, a diagnosis, an injury, or somebody something important to you.
You can also write your own poem to dance to. It can be helpful to create a moodboard with ideas for imagery, an emotional arc, and visual metaphors. This will make your words more captivating to the audience. Ask yourself, “What do I want to portray?” and use that to start writing your poem.
Let the Words be Your Music
Dancing to spoken word instead of a song can feel like a whole new world, but it can also be a fun process. Just like rhythms and lyrics, pay attention to tone changes, pitch, and volume in the poem. Try switching up the choreography to match lines of the poem as well as the pauses and moments of silence. Don’t be afraid to really fall into that silence. Even a big breath can be a powerful and impactful moment.
Using Movement Quality
Use your emotions to fulfill each movement and pour your feelings into each move. You could create ripples for repeated words or sentences throughout the poem. Don’t be afraid to use your facial expressions and maintain eye contact with the audience. This can really captivate them and make them feel what you are trying to express. Explore different levels, paces, and even dance styles for each part of the poem. For instance, the climax of the poem could be perfect for tricks, while a heartfelt line might match your floorwork.
Give it a Shot
It might be completely outside of your comfort zone to dance to a spoken word piece versus your typical song. However, going outside of your comfort zone is exactly what will make you grow as a person and dancer. And who knows? You might end up falling in love with a whole new world of choreography.
