Powerful Performance

In the intermediate class we are working on performance technique and improvisation. During the first couple of lessons we are scaling back movement to work on channeling power into a performance and really owning our dance. There are many reasons that bringing power to a performance can be a challenging and elusive quality...in a large part because it can be pretty darn scary!

The homework assignment for the first week was to find an example of someone who exemplified that performance power. Below are some of the results....


In the opening credits for season 2 of the Tudors, check out the the confidence and power Jonathan Rhys Meyers exudes when he is simply sitting in a throne, or walking down the hallway. It is really impressive.



As an example of power in a live performance, here is a video of Beyonce at the Grammys earlier this year. She is strong and powerful, but her engaging facial expressions soften the hardness of that power.




This was the first season I watched Dancing with the Stars. I thought it was interesting to watch the progress of each of the dancers each week, but this performance by Evan Lycacek was striking. Especially compared to earlier performances, Evan brought a powerful confidence to this dance. The dance starts about 2:20 into the clip



Thanks to my students for some great examples of performance presence. I encourage all of you to keep your eyes open for this level of confidence in the world around you. Whether it is a celebrity, or, better yet, a woman walking confidently through the grocery store or down the street. And think about how you can channel some of that power yourself!