Less Tricks & Acrobatics, please!

Recently I was asked:

What I would enjoy a lot when judging at a dance competition?

My answer was:

Seeing less Tricks and especially less acrobatics! There are only two dance categories where acrobatics make sense, it’s category Acrobatic Dance and ShowDance. In all other dance styles acrobatics can be an interesting stylistic device to enhance the dramaturgy of a choreography if used dosed and well thought out.

Sadly I currently have the feeling that I see more gymnastics than dance. Especially in the category Contemporary I miss the artistic expression and the different styles and techniques.

Instead, we see always the same standardized elements, tricks and acrobatics which often have nothing to do with the music, the lyrics and the chosen title/theme of the choreography.

Dancers make themself comparable like gymnasts. I guess this has something to do with the fact that teaching and learning a solid dance technique and developing artistic expression is harder and less motivating than using and forcing Hypermobility and training tricks and acrobatics.

It’s not a good trend.

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Published by stenkuth

My work and my interests have always been very diverse and varied. I started dancing when I was a little child at the age of 2 1/2. After many years as a successful competition dancer in Performing Art Dance Styles, as well as Commercial and Street Styles and Ballroom Dancing I began studying Classical Ballett and Contemporary Dance at the Folkwang University in Essen, Germany and with Tatjana Gsovski in Berlin followed by a dance teacher education for Ballroom, Latin and Social Dancing. My education continued in New York City at the Alvin Ailey Dance Center, the Harlem Dance Institute and The University of New York in Musical, Dance History, Dance Notation, JazzDance and Modern Dance. A strong connection to the New York City Ballroom/Voguing Community always has a big influence on my commercial and artistic work as well as my background in Ballett and Dance Theater does. During my time in New York City I also had a chance to become a 2nd Generation Pilates Master Trainer directly educated by Romana Kryzanowska. My stage career gave me the chance to star in many international productions from Musical Theatre, Dance Theatre, Commercials & Industrials to shows like the Moulin Rouge and Paradis Latin in Paris. As a choreographer I was lucky to work for Film and TV productions in Europe as well in the USA, for fashion shows in Paris, London and Amsterdam as well as for several Musical Theater Productions, Commercials, Industrials and events like the Olympic and Paralympic opening and closing ceremonies in Sydney as well as the Gay Games in Sydney and Cologne. Last but not least the background and strong connection to the houses of New York and Atlanta in the Vogue and Ballroom Community gave me the chance to work with many international Drag Queen Artist worldwide as a choreographer and artistic director and consultant. After ending my active career as a dancer on stage, I still work as a choreographer, artistic director and director, international dance judge, dance consultant and mentor as well as an author, sometimes still as a performer or presenter on stage and on camera. apart from my artistic work, I also work as a Pilates, expert and a holistic lifestyle and health coach.

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