1. Stamina
1.1. Stamina is the ability to sustain prolonged physical or mental effort.
1.2. Stamina is important, especially when tackling the most demanding routines and activities, as good stamina allows dancers to focus on the technique within the dance rather than just trying to get through the dance. Poor stamina leads to fatigue, which is the main cause of injuries in professional dancers.
1.3. Ways To Develop Stamina:
1.3.1. Running
1.3.2. Cycling
1.3.3. Plyometric Training
1.3.4. Cardio Workouts
2. Strength
2.1. Strength is: the quality or state of being physically strong
2.2. Strength is important as it helps improve endurance while performing. Dancers require strength to control their motions, which improves the beauty of their movement and dancers who are strong have an advantage when it comes to performing as they are generally able to perform most movements more easily. Strength is foundational to all dynamic movement
2.3. Ways to develop strength:
2.3.1. Core Strength
2.3.1.1. Crunches
2.3.1.2. Plank
2.3.1.3. Sit ups
2.3.1.4. Bicycle Crunches
2.3.2. Leg Strength
2.3.2.1. Squat
2.3.2.2. Lunge Squats
2.3.2.3. Wall Sit
2.3.2.4. V Sit
2.3.3. Arm Strength
2.3.3.1. Bicep Curl
2.3.3.2. Tricep Dips
2.3.3.3. Push Ups
2.3.3.4. Pull Ups
3. Projection
3.1. Projection is the energy the dancer uses to connect with and draw in the audience
3.2. Projection is important as it helps to communicate clear images and ideas and it expresses and sustains audience interest in the dance
3.3. Ways To Develop Projection:
3.3.1. Know your aims of the piece and decide whether you need to use a more external or internal type of projection
3.3.2. Know your character inside out, so you can use the correct amount and type of projection necessary
3.3.3. Practise and rehearse the dance with the projection you would use on stage
3.3.4. Try to make a connection with the audience so they can really know how your character is feeling
4. Musicality
4.1. Musicality is the way in which a dancer expresses their music through their bodies and their movements
4.2. Musicality is essential to feeling the music and portraying that through your movements.
4.3. Ways To Develop Musicality:
4.3.1. Understanding the different elements of the song
4.3.2. Understanding how each instrument sounds
4.3.3. Understanding how you (or others) perceive the music
4.3.4. Actively listen, understand and analyse music
5. Flexibility
5.1. Flexibility is the range of movement in the joints
5.2. Flexibility is important as it aids in making a dancer’s work appear more seamless and it can also help increase a dancer’s turn out. Flexibility also reduces the risk of injuries and soreness. Not only does flexibility elongate your lines and enrich the look of your dancing, tightness can actually be bad for your body.
5.3. Ways To Develop Flexibility:
5.3.1. Leg Flexibility
5.3.1.1. Standing Hamstring Stretch
5.3.1.2. Butterfly Stretch
5.3.1.3. Lunges
5.3.1.4. Sitting Hamstring Stretch
5.3.2. Back Flexibility
5.3.2.1. King Cobra
5.3.2.2. Seal
5.3.2.3. Puppy Pose
5.3.2.4. Bridge / Backbend
6. Characterisation
6.1. Characterisation is important as it helps dancers gain a deeper understanding of the story and boosts strength and musicality.
6.2. Characterisation is taking on a role of another person and using movement and vocal skills to communicate a character to the audience
6.3. Ways To Develop Characterisation:
6.3.1. Establish a character's motivations and goals
6.3.2. Give your character a backstory
6.3.3. Describe a character's personality in familiar terms
6.3.4. In your head, paint a physical picture of your character