Enhancing dance artistry does not always have to come from dance itself, but can come from other creative activities too. Viewing dance performances can be an ideal way to do this, especially those you would not usually see. Challenge your dance knowledge and appreciation by seeing the work of a new choreographer or in a new genre, so you can more easily consider how this new knowledge can enhance your own dance enjoyment. Find out about new dance around you by asking friends or teachers for recommendations, or see what you spot on social media.
Engaging in new dance can also be via reading about dance. Do you subscribe to any dance magazines? You can learn about both new and upcoming dance work, as well as dance that has gone before from reviews and features. Broadening your mindset and considerations about dance in this way can make you a more empathetic and reasoned performer, even boosting performance-related skills. Use your artistic knowledge to articulate your thoughts on what you have observed and think about things like movement qualities, production values and themes – did you like it? Why, or why not?
Viewing dance critically can consequently spark creative ideas for choreography, or can inspire the qualities of your own dancing. Additionally, reading about various dance forms, history and other dancers can help you develop your own understanding of dance artistry, and it adds context to what you are doing. This in turn will inform your performance or creative work by learning new things. Taking new classes could follow reading about a new dance style, and you never know what new opportunities could emerge as a result. Networking with new peers and teachers will extend your dance knowledge, and will mean you are more aware of the dance world around you.
Other creative activities or artistic outlets can also enhance your dance artistry, helping you understand the aesthetic and energetic qualities of dance through singing, drawing, painting, making sculptures and many other visual art activities. Musicality can be particularly enhanced this way, even by browsing for music you wouldn’t normally listen to – you might find a great track for your next choreography project!