Daily Archives: February 21, 2010

What’s the role of facial expression in dance? Tap dancers seem to smile automatically. No question that they’re having fun and they want you to know it! Belly dancers smile seductively . Indian dancers smile mysteriously.  Do they know something we haven’t figured out? Children who dance are encouraged to smile, no matter the inner terror  being onstage is likely to provoke.  The mandate to smile is the sine qua non of children’s  dance performances.  Many remain stubbornly oblivious to this, but they will not win the hearts of the audience.  They’re just not AS adorable as the smilers. When I was a child performing in recitals, the same message was drummed into me, Smile!  I still remember the discomfort … Continue reading →