A Dancer Explains Why Choreographers Should Not Be Harsh in Rehearsals

Cornell College Theatre and Dance Department

by Laura Jeanna Portera, Guest Editorial

“I’m Trying!!!”

I want to say the following to all the choreographers who are harsh to me about not picking up the dance moves as quickly as they want.

You may not notice me as much as the other dancers, but I’m here and listening.

As you know, every student is unique, and I’m no different. Sometimes, I feel I learn just slightly differently than all of my peers. Sometimes, I think I must work even harder than my peers to keep up with everything happening. I see my friends pick up choreography perfectly at rehearsal, while I have to go home and work on it for hours. Even though this is the case, I still want to be here, perform, and do my very best.

There are times you have yelled at me for being unable to stand still. Please understand this is where I go after school to release all my pent-up energy. I just spent over SIX HOURS sitting in a chair with my brain waves constantly firing. Rehearsal is a place that I come to let loose.

Don’t get me wrong. I understand that this should be a professional environment, but I’m also just a kid. What I ask from you is that we do a quick warm-up before play practice starts. Even ten jumping jacks or a lap around the gym-a-torium would suffice. The more energy I have at the start of practice, the more concentrated I will be and the more ready I will be to learn.

That being said, I learn a little differently from my friends, and that’s okay! I may have to ask you to “slow down” or “repeat that step” multiple times. It’s okay that I am asking this because some of my other friends may need that extra help, too.

Not to mention, sometimes dance language is hard to understand. I may not always know what a “pirouette” or a “grande jete” is, so it helps to see it multiple times. It also helps when we learn the dance in sections and go from the top as much as possible. This way, my brain will slowly connect the pieces to what I need to accomplish. 

Finally, can I record you performing the steps if it's okay with you? I’ve already written down every detailed section, but I am a visual learner. This way, I can go home and learn the dance at my own pace. I understand that we only have a few weeks to put on this show and that every second in rehearsal is precious. I understand that rehearsals can’t always be tailored around how I learn. If I have a video, I can go home and learn the steps on my own time at my own rate. I promise to return to rehearsal the next day, knowing this dance forward and backward.  

As I said, I want to be here. I want to take the beautiful choreography you are giving me and perfect it to make your vision come true. I think rehearsal is a fun, safe environment, so I am comfortable sharing this with you.

I learn a little bit differently, and that’s okay.

So, dear choreographer, I promise I am here, I am ready to learn, I am excited, I am committed, I am listening, and I am trying!