Today’s lesson is on facials.
Recently, the topic of performance quality and subsequently facials became a hot button topic in the halls of my workspace. And being the self-righteous annoying person I am, it felt only fitting to explore the topic further.
As dancers, we use our bodies to express not only our movement, but also, if not, more importantly, a feeling, and the emotions that the song is bringing. You see, dancers, use their bodies to express themselves, and our faces are a part of our bodies. Over the past 10 years or so, I’ve danced on a number of different stages, watched literally hundreds of dance shows, performances, and competitions. Some were amazing, so not so much, but on things always rang true, the dancers that affected me the most, performed with a sense of emotion in their face that left me in awe. I felt something.
Truthfully speaking, I would never say that I am the best dancer. Most days, I’m not even sure if I’m a good dancer. To be honest, I see these young kids do things at 10 years old that I couldn’t ever do. Not to mention the tricks that have become the norm on shows like SYTYCD, or at your local Karr competitions. These people are literally acrobats, gymnasts, uber flexible gummy unicorns, and I am left eternally shook each time. And if minute long videos on Instagram didn’t already assist you in feeling basic af about your dance abilities, watching people post their highlight reels of literally each style of dance known to man, YouTube comes and snatches the last bit of edges you had left. Concept videos, 4K front row views at competitions and select groups in classes, (who honestly probably learned the combo ahead of time, but we’ll save that for a different post), turn this dance form that is meant to be creative, into a mash-up of art and competition.
My story is simple. I started dance later in life and spent quite a bit of time playing catch up. So I found ways to balance out the lack of technique as I privately learned the essentials of dance in class. I figured if I couldn’t get my leg behind my head, and my middle splits looked more like I was trying to pee over a fire hydrant, I should be sure that I still could hold my own during a show or competition. So, I began taking each move I learned and making a conscious effort to add some sort of facial expression to those movements. I believed that dance was more than long legs and tricks, and while I hopped to one day master the basics, here in this moment, I wanted to make sure I would use what I had to the best of my abilities. And for me, that was my face. I focused on being the best performer I could be, the best storyteller, the best character. I wanted to make sure I made people feel things, happiness, joy, love, loss, magic… And since then, I have successfully become one of the best performers I could have ever wanted to be... ya girl gives lessons on living. And while I still actively have so much to learn about dance, technique, and fundamentals, when its show time, I'm going to give you a show.
So what exactly are facials and why are they important to dancers? According to my good sis Google, a facial expression is one or more motions or positions of the muscles beneath the skin of the face. According to one set of controversial theories, these movements convey the emotional state of an individual to observers. Facial expressions are a form of nonverbal communication.
But what does that mean for people that call themselves dancers?
Simply put, a facial expression is feelings expressed on a person's face. Facial expression in dance is not just smiling but suiting a character and expressing the style of music through your face and dancing. A smile, a frown, a grin, a blink, a pout, a look of distress, sadness or loss, a feeling of fierceness, badassery or Beyonce... can make a difference to an audience and help dancer closer to the character.
So, by now you’re probably wondering what brought about this subject matter? Dance facials is so random right?
Every now and then, something happens, that sparks my interest. Performance quality has always been a pet peeve of mine. I’ve watched people with amazing technique bore me to death with a face ready to go the grocery store. In the last few years, I’ve been immersed in a hip hop community that seemingly is portraying a character and lifestyle of “hoodness” and “gangsterness” that they have never actually lived. Growing up, I witnessed children making ridiculous faces on stage, catching invisible flies with their mouths, in pink tutus with little adorable potbelly's, as they either stand on stage completely confused or stare at their teachers behind the wings. As a competitive cheerleader, I too silently screamed my vowels in between clapping and high V’s, while whipping my high pony so hard that my bedazzled bow would fall off. I’ve gone to churches and watched liturgical dancers struggle through the same five dance movements from the praise dance manual, while their faces look as though my Jesus has never done a thing for them during their lifetime. And as of recently, I’ve watched grown adult performers dance down Main Street, USA, lacking any magic at all, or being so over the top ridiculous they perform like a mockery or character version of a Mickey Mouse approved dancer. I’ve replayed amazing sets from teams in the Community, only to be left bamboozled when watching the same set in the 4k front row view, and feeling absolutely nothing when the the dancers faces were on display. I watch clips of carbon cut out girls in sports bras and black briefs at conventions whose legs are longer than the Nile River, be so deadpan in the face I wonder if I should be screaming “blink twice if you’re ok girl”. I see feminine pieces where the guys are more of the Beyonce then the actual girls. And emotional pieces that are about as emotional as getting your cuticles cut at Snappy Nails. I've watched girls rely on being pretty, cute, sexy, using their hair or body as a costar, but lacking any real quality in their performance, while dudes still get off on opening their shirts humping the ground and using a pair of heels to get a reaction from the crowd. But is any of this real performance?
Are the "YAASSS" and "AYYYEEEE" we are screaming out really worth it? What’s the deal?
I should never watch dancers and wonder: are they happy are they sad? do they need to poop? are they being forced to be there? do they hate this piece, this role? their lives? do they even enjoy dancing.... why are you smiling but your eyes are dead. How sway? And honest to God, i dont care how many turns you do, if your face is jacked, your wholw piece is dead to me... fix your face.
The truth is, as dancers, we are storytellers. And a large part of us are telling really shitty stories. Our job is to show our audience our story, to express our feelings through our movement, and use our bodies as our vessel. Our whole body, our fingers, legs and arms, from our toes to our FACES. Dance is like the poster child for nonverbal communication. What we leave on the stage, on the route, in class, should be a full out piece of ourselves. If not, what’s the point?
So how do we fix it? How do we become better dances? Better storytellers? Better performers?
We practice. How you practice will be how you perform. It is not a myth. Actually, I’m sure it’s even somewhere in the Bible. Dance like David dance girl, literally. Watch yourself in the mirror, not just to be select. Invest in the teachers, choreographers and directors that want to push you not only physically but emotionally. The ones who not only critique your movement, but actively give perform notes, they are the ones setting you up to win in the long run. And teachers, do better. Tricks and head whips are cute, and get great crowd response, but are you kids really learning to execute full body performance? Since working for Disney, I made it a ritual to use YouTube and all her shadiness to my advantage, and I watch parades of myself frequently, as a sort of self check in. Do that. Once you’ve mastered the movements, think about how you want to make your audience feel, how you feel during the piece, and make your face react accordingly. Being a better performer won’t happen over night girl…
We listen to our music. There is nothing more infuriating than watching people not listening to their music. Why do you still have this super thug face during this emotional piece? Why are you still using your sexy face at a Disney audition? Are you deaf sis? Listen to the music. What are they saying? What type of song is it? Are you happy about this break up dance? Are you sad during this happy go lucky tune? Are you being over gangster in this fun loving hip hop piece? Every dance is different, all music is different, but your emotions should match up… And if you are still confused, talk to your choreographer, have them give you direction and purpose. Be an active member in your performance... music is this awesome thing, filled with highs and lows, undertones and medley. Dancing should reflect the complexity in music.
We worry about ourselves. The dance world is severely oversaturated. It is easy to get loss in the sauce between class and select group, and placing at competitions, and have more roles at work, and auditions, and blah blah blah… but the truth is, all you can do is worry about yourself. Never in the history of ever, did anyone become a better dancer, by worry about what the other girls were doing. Stop getting caught up in highlight reels on social media, and worry about making your highlight reel pop. We all aren’t going to be Insta famous, or get that shout out after a parade, or hella select in class, but last time I checked, that’s not the reason I dance…
We grow up. If you are over the age of 21, and you still rely on those ridiculous 8 year old facials you were using in your small trio jazz dance to any current Meghan Trainor song trying to snatch that Showstopper Double Platinum or Karr High Gold, you need to grow up. Elevate your performance quality. As you mature, so sh0uld your dancing. If someone gives you notes on your lack of performance, or on your overdramatic faces, take the note. No one ever died by taking some criticism. Just fix your face girl…
We remember why we started dancing in the first place. There is nothing, that I have found, since I’ve starting dancing, that is better than the feeling of being on stage, in any form. Bad days are suddenly turned around, the weight of life is lifted, the stress is relieved, and I feel great, if only in those few moments. I have danced on teams where I was the weakest dancer, danced on teams where they absolutely hated my guts, danced for choreographers who I believe did not like me, danced with girls I could not stand, danced on my best of days and on my worst of days. I’ve danced in shows the same day family members have passed away, danced when my friends were nowhere to be found. I’ve danced in every situation possible, both good and bad. I’ve been in the front, in the back, in the wings… I’ve been overlooked, miscast, ignored, not been given roles based on my race and my look… but I still dance… I’ve been close to tears right before a parade, and the moment I hit Main Street I am the most carefree human on the planet. I’ve been a teacher, a coach, a mentor, a judge, a student and a hot mess. I am trusting my skills, improving my talent, but also remembering that dance is an art form and no one can tell me how to do my art... I am learning more and more about myself through dance each day, and I am grateful for how this art form has changed and is continuing to change my life every single day. How luck are we? As dancers we get to tell stories every single day, and we dont even have to TALK to people. That's hella dope. Never forget to give people a show, do your best and LIVE... full out or not at all...
#fixyourface