By Abby Urbaczewski, Educational Artist
Dance, specifically musical theater-style dance, teaches students the importance of creating a purpose for their movements, grows their awareness of space, and boosts their confidence. Whether it’s learning choreography, being part of an ensemble, or making a choice to add expression and emotion to a scene, at Kidstock!, dance is a natural addition to our curriculum.
Dance gives students another way to express themselves
Through musical theater-style dance, performers learn how to showcase a character’s motivation or tell a story in a different way than just stating it out loud through lines or facial expressions. As part of an ensemble, students might all perform the same movement, expressing the intent/desire of all of the characters at once. Dance or movement can also be in counterpoint, mirror, or opposite – a group or character might watch the lead perform a specific piece of choreography and react in the opposite way. By learning new choreography or movements, students connect with their whole body – learning control, creativity, and strength.
Combining dance and stage blocking helps young performers grow faster
Blocking is a concept taught across all Kidstock! classes. It is defined as the precise staging of an actor’s movements on stage. This means that the director has a vision as to where you will be on stage at all times and it is your job as the actor to execute that vision.
Learning the patterns of dance and choreography can help a student develop the skillset necessary to remember blocking for a production or class. We’re not just learning dance, we’re expanding our confidence, skills, and awareness for performances of all kinds!
Age-tailored dance classes foster motor skills, movement, and rhythm
For 35 years, our Kidstock! curriculum has focused on age-based curriculum; tailoring classes, activities, and learning opportunities based on key developmental stages and goals for each age group. Our Broadway Dance Classes are the same!
Dance classes focus on key skills for each age level. Our younger classes will have a stronger focus on rhythm and coordination, and as they grow up through our age groups, older students will add dynamic choreography, expression, and stage presence to their abilities and practice.
Dance builds confidence in a unique way
One of the most important aspects to learning, practicing, and performing through dance is having confidence! Through dance, students of all ages learn how to express themselves, make confident decisions, and experience the joy of making a choice and having fun with it.
The more we can teach young performers to be confident, understand and trust their body, and explore new ways to express themselves, the better choices they will make as they grow up – on the stage and off!
About the Author
Abby Urbaczewski, Educational Artist at Kidstock! Creative Theater
Abby Urbaczewski is a writer, director, and choreographer who is passionate about creating meaningful, story-driven experiences for young performers. With a BFA in film, she has directed and choreographed youth productions while working extensively with children in camps and creative programs.
