written by Mancer  on 02.12. at 03:35:53

There is something about ballet that really makes you aware of your body and where your arms are and what looks good on a stage.  Also is really the best dance form to actually build strength and stability in your movement as it is the only form which has a "barre" class which strongly emphasizes technique, strength building, lengthening, elongation, elevation, equilibrium, endurance and movement coordination and expression.  I think ballet really helps "stage presence".  Divulge in it 4 hours a week.

Jazz as said before is really the dance language of theater with "broadway 'happy hands' tap" being a real close second in musical shows.  A "jazz-tap" class which is really the original and gutteral american movement form of tap and not the refined "broadway tap" you find in most classes could be really benefitial if you could find one wherever you live.  Jazz-tap is all opposite of broadway tap and vice-versa.  I have seen experienced broadway style tappers have such a difficult time with jazz-tap as the syncapation of beat is emphasized completely differently and really throws away all the proper things your learned in a broadway tap class except how to flap or slap (and even that movement is articulated sligly different as a side to side brushing of the floor as opposed to a vertical striking made by the ankle).  I would take a tap class for 2 hours a week just to get familiar with the terminology and the difference in how grounded tap is as opposed to the uprising of ballet.

Jazz.  Dont take a lyrical jazz.  Take a real soft shoe jazz class as it emphasizes a complete different muscle group as opposed to ballet.  Ballet is done with "turnout" (your maximum rotation of your big toes away from each other as rotated from the hip joint) the and jazz is done with normal leg position as in toes forward like normal people walk.  But here again the differences between jazz and ballet are really shown in the angular motions of jazz as opposed to the rounded movements of ballet.  I would do this for 2 hours a week.

Then as things move along take a beginners acting class or a "creative movement for actors" dance class to get you into your body in an improvisational sense where professionals assist you in things to and not to do on a stage.  If you learn ballet well you'll learn a lot of what to and not to do naturally.

Of course these are just my humble opinions and when it comes down to it you take what you can afford and what's available.  But most importantly remember to laugh at yourself and not to lock up.  STay loose.  Tension is most often held in the face, jaw, tounge, neck, shoulders, and hands.  To really master this a YOGA class, possibly of the Kirpalu origin, can really help you center in to your areas of tension if your mind is open.