Facial expressions inject emotion into dance, connecting audience with performer and revealing the intentions behind a given piece. Because of that, no matter how stellar a person’s technique may be, pairing it with a blank, overdone, or discordant face will undercut their artistry.
Expressions are a vital communication tool with the power to make or break a performance, and striking the proper mood and intensity takes a delicate balance of projection and authenticity. Executing that while performing challenging choreography is harder still. Dancers can hone those skills to unlock next-level performance quality and impact.
Keep It Authentic
The word “authenticity” often surfaces in conversations about facial expressions in dance. But what does it mean? To competition judge, performer, and educator Meghan Faddis, authenticity lies in how a dancer’s intention is reflected on their face. “They could be the most beautiful dancer I have ever seen, but if there’s no connection, I’ll always ask: ‘What is the point of this piece to you?’ ” To convey genuine emotion, she suggests taking time to explore dynamics and any personal connections to a piece. “The peaks and the valleys of the emotion are important and keep the audience engaged.”
Commercial dancer Monica Giavanna, who often performs with musical artists, finds authenticity through spontaneous moments onstage. “Maybe the singer looks at you, and you want to connect to them in a human way,” she says; you might give them a smile and picture them as a friend. To Giavanna, self-confidence helps a dancer make honest choices that resonate. “It’s about maturing, learning yourself, and learning what emotion is.”
How Much Is Enough?
A dancer should also consider environmental factors in their approach to facial expressions. For example, the distance from the stage to the audience or judges’ table might set the magnitude of each expression. Maya Ramey, a sophomore on the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, dance team, says that at collegiate competitions like the Universal Dance Association National Championships, she dials up her face to appeal to a faraway judges’ panel. “I’d never had to use such big facial expressions before, but it makes a lot of sense for projecting,” she says.
Dancers often perform the same choreography in multiple settings, which requires adjusting expressions accordingly. If a judges’ table is near the stage, try turning down the intensity. “If you are dancing in an up close, intimate kind of way, being able to turn that switch on and off [is important],” says Ramey. Faddis agrees: “I would rather feel like you’re whispering for me to get closer than yelling at me to get me to understand what you’re feeling. When we overexaggerate, it becomes cookie-cutter and put-on, rather than the authentic emotion that we’re feeling.”
Setting the right tone onstage also involves complementing other performers’ energy. Giavanna pays attention to the musical artists onstage. “If they’re not going super hard, I don’t want to overcompensate and draw that attention,” she says. “I also consider the music and the movement. If I’m still, I’m not necessarily giving a bunch of facials.”
Start From Inside
Because she dances on a team, Ramey uses her face to express uniqueness. “Movement quality should be synchronized, but your face is like your own way of showing yourself and individuality,” she says. “You’re not telling the singer’s story; you’re telling your own.” Ramey begins with listening, analyzing the music to find how certain parts resonate with her. Sometimes an expression’s actual effect differs from the intended one, so she watches footage of her dancing to make any necessary adjustments. She also asks friends for critiques. (Her go-to question is, “Are you getting a sense of feeling when I dance?”)
Whether she’s onstage or in class, Giavanna creates storylines to ground her movement. “I think that helps bring the character to life,” she says. During difficult steps, some dancers tend to let their faces relax as they focus on their bodies. Giavanna stresses the importance of staying connected to the story with each movement. “The sweet spot is doing everything and still implementing storytelling,” she says.
Faddis reminds dancers that facial expressions don’t have to be heavy or intense to be impactful. “I think there’s a story behind every piece,” she says. “If your ‘why’ is just ‘I love to dance,’ then show me in your face that you love to dance.”
