The face of the dancer is a potent tool, which coveys’ character, personality, and emotion that grabs the attention of onlookers. Sometimes dancers forget this as they concentrate on their body language. Face expressions can add a distinctive touch to your role and connect deeply with the audience.
Get familiar with different styles
Limon technique concentrates on breath movement in the body, while Graham’s basic concept is contraction and release. It is more about hunger and urgency, which reflects in the eyes. Tango is an ideal example of how you can reflect dramatic and explosive features in your face. Dancers need to practice facial expressions along with bodily movements regularly.
Take dancing lessons
Dancing lessons help to gain control over facial expressions. Never reveal a blank face unless there is a choreographic need. For example, in tango music there are pauses. In Argentine tango, pauses are crucial for the dance. The slow rhythm and pause offer the follower or the leader a chance to gaze or glance at your partner.
Allow your face to express emotions like contentment, sadness, passion, tenderness, anger, etc. It may seem silly to you but tango does not need to be somber. It is a social and emotional activity.
Monitor your step movement but eyes on your partner
Practice coordination between hands and eyes to sharpen facial. Determine the kind of personality you desire to reflect? What you want the audience to think when they watch you move? Lead and follow in tango is important. The leader shifts his weight from one foot to another, before taking a step, which the follower responds to.
The follower has to allow the upper body to sway forward/backward before stepping forward/backward. It is a normal way people walk but needs a lot of practice. The followers need to sharpen their stepping backward skills as it is against the line of dance and very challenging. Followers don’t play a passive role but if they find the leader about to back in something or some other dancer then resist. A good leader will be thankful for this help.
Be aware of your partner – Never allow your eyes to defocus
Monitoring your feet does not mean looking at the floor. Look at your partner because this allows communicating intent, mood, and natural facial expression. You are supposed to enjoy the music and respond to pre-lead cues of your partner’s torso movements. Both leaders and followers must be aware of one another. Leaders must know where a follower is before you acquire her to where you desire because if she deviates from the path you are shaping, actively get her back. The follower must also resist if the partner leads her into danger. Awareness of your partner is a skill that needs a lot of practice.
Relax your lips
Closed lips seal of facial energy. Some beginners find it hard to keep their lips open or relaxed. In tango, the expression on your face has to be of passion with fully or partially closed eyes and compressed lips. It can be blissful or intense but never smiley.
Leaders and followers need to work on their connection, balance, as well as improvisation in tango patterns. Ultimate Tango offers an online course that can help you sharpen your skills.
