Lyric dances with words - using songs with lyrics in dance auditions - The Young Dancer

Dance Magazine, Jan, 1994 by Kimberly Chapman

Auditioning? Competing? Sometimes you only have three minutes, perhaps only ninety seconds, to show a panel of judges that you have "what it takes." You might be able to capture the evaluators' attention by performing in a style known as "lyric." In lyric dance, also known as lyric jazz, the performer conveys the emotional quality of the words of a song through dancing and gestures. Lyric steps combine classical line, contemporary style, and modern feel.

All kinds of music can provide the inspiration for a lyric piece--movie sound tracks are a popoular choice, and so are hit songs from Broadways musicals. Recording artistrs from Kennedy G. and Peabo Bryson to Janet Jackson sing the kind of ballads that work especially well.

To create lyric jazz, first choose a song with which you identify; then, capture the meaning of the words by constructing a visual interpretation. Let's take the very popular Barbra Streisand song "Papa" from the movie Yentl, for example. The lyrics are: "Papa, can you hear me? Papa, can you see me?" On these words, a dancer might choose to do a series of chaine turns, clutching his or her ears, and finishing in an arabesque with palms covering the eyes.

Where did this style come from? One source is MTV, which has had such a strong impact on the young people of today. On MTV the performers visually translate the meaning of the music. Dancers have drawn on this to create their own interpretations of songs.

The popoularity of this style reflects dancer's need to "show it all" during a short audition. Lyric jazz is a synthesis of ballet, jazz, modern dance, and tap techniques; it is not taught as a separate dance technique. Performing lyric well requires strong technique, maturity, musically, and emotional commitment--the qualities characteristic of all good dancing.

On television, "Star Search" dance contestants are using lyric to show their multi-faceted abilities in a short period of time. Pageant contestants often choose it for its audience appeal. Dancers auditioning for Broadway musicals or for entrance to performing arts colleages are taking advantage of lyric jazz for these same reasons.

Auditions and competitions are not the only settings in which you will find lyric dancing. Around the country at the Regional Dance American festivals, young choreographers are presenting works inspired by the lyrics of songs. Do professional companies perform lyric? I would answer, yes. Joffrey Ballet's Billboards, set to music by Prince, meets the definition of lyric.

You must be well trained in ballet, modern dance, and jazz to perform great lyric jazz. If you want to cpativate the judges and the audience with you technical and performing skills, then lyric jazz may be just your ticket!