s Rockettes, we know that even though it takes hours and hours of rehearsal to perfect your routine (before opening night of the Christmas Spectacular, we rehearse six hours a day, six days a week for six weeks!), just one unpleasant facial expression during a show can ruin the performance. That’s why we take our smiles seriously.
From allowing your enthusiasm for dance to shine through, to taking in your surroundings, check out our tips to help improve your facial expressions:
- Relax your jaw and your tongue inside your mouth.
- Lift your eyebrows a little—like you would when you’re having an interesting conversation with someone.
- Take in your surroundings with your eyes. Bonus! This will help with things like balance and spotting, too.
- Breathe in through your nose, and let your breath escape through your mouth, which will be slightly open due to your relaxed jaw.
- If you’re having fun (you’re dancing after all!), let the shine in your eyes lift the corners of your mouth and smile.
- Some dance instructors like to choreograph facial expressions like winks or a surprised look into your dance number. If that’s their preference, go for it. It may feel a little over-the-top to you, but trust your choreographer. When used sparingly and in appropriate places, it can really make a dance sparkle.
- When the emotion comes from inside you, your outward expression will be a natural one. Get your whole face involved, not just your mouth. Let it match the energy of the music and the movement, allowing your enthusiasm for dance shine through.