When in doubt, keep children's choreography simple.
Putting together a performance with a cast of young starlets can be incredibly rewarding and exciting but can also entail stress and seemingly impossible deadlines. You have one piece of the puzzle left to complete: choreography for your two background dancers. Once you have determined the skill level of the dancers, utilizing a guideline of choreograph specifically for girls dancing in the background will help you to complete the task properly and efficiently.
Avoid Distractions
Remember, these two girls are background dancers and therefore should not distract from the main performers. They are of course important to the show but should maintain a background presence. Keep the moves simple and smooth and avoid quick and jerky movements that will detract from the foreground dancers or singers. Another common mistake is dressing the background dancers in overly attention-grabbing costumes. Avoid patterns and instead opt for solid colors. Black or light-colored outfits are ideal but skip distracting red and white fabrics.
Focus on Themes
Background dancers should always be incorporated naturally into any performance. Keep a flawless look by maintaining the show or recital's theme in the background dancer choreography. Whether the performance is a cabaret show with a specific movie theme or a classically themed ballet recital, the background performance must make sense and not appear random or disjointed. Be sure to rehearse with the entire ensemble and watch for any glaring differences in theme or style.
Keep It Synchronized
Dance steps for multiple background performers should be synchronized. Depending on the age and skill level of the girls, create mirroring dance moves for a more-advanced performance or choreograph the same steps for beginner dancers. A simple, yet clean performance is better than a complicated, yet messy one. If needed, choreograph steps for the upper body only. Avoiding leg movements is helpful if the girls are unable to keep in sync while performing more intricate dance steps.
Be Age-Appropriate
When choreographing a dance routine, especially one that may include children of varying ages, it is crucial that all moves are age-appropriate. Whether choreographing moves for background dancers or for the lead roles, always keep in mind who your artists are, and remember that the choreography should be considered appropriate for the youngest dancer. It's also important to note that the performers' parents may have a different idea as to what is appropriate. Avoid embarrassing conflicts by hosting a dress rehearsal for parents before the show.
