Anthony LoCascio’s Blog

Props, Wigs, & Notes

Most recently I judged the NADAA convention in CT. at the Sheraton Hotel in Bradly International Airport. i ALWAYS take notes during competition so I can answer the large amount of questions I get after any time I judge. I don’t want to repeat myself in this blog BUT I do want to expand on past posts to help teachers and students grow, improve themselves, and learn how to think more like judges do when viewing a competition.

Props - I love when a dance has props. Chairs, umbrellas, mirrors, coat racks, photos in a frame, benches, and plenty more. Props are fantastic BUT don’t forget about them. I see too many situations where a prop is introduced, used for 1 maybe 2 8 counts and then forgotten about entirely. Many dancers forget they even had a prop by the end of their performance and leave stage as if the prop never existed. If you introduce a prop be sure it is included in the performance more than once and not just sitting there to “set a mood”. When used properly a prop will enhance a dancer’s performance and not be a distraction from that performance. If you introduce a prop, use it!

Wigs - I have always said I LOVE the use of wigs. It really gets students/performers into a different mind set when performing. It typically enhances the performance and drastically helps dancers become the Character. “Perform as the Character would perform, do not perform as yourself”. The wigs help get that desired performance.

Hair - along with wigs is hair style. How many professional dancers, when performing, wear a Ballerina Bun all the time. Your hair needs to be right for each performance you give. Hair could be out and flying around when you do hip-hop or straighten when performing stylized jazz, etc…..Your hair can also be a prop when performing….So let down and let it out….No more Buns for every dance your perform in one competition.

Quick Changes - simple. If you have many numbers to perform in one day, this is the perfect time to practices “Quick Changes”. It should never take you more than 3 dances to change from one costume to the next. Don’t panic! If you rush and panic it takes longer to change costumes. Be sure costumes are pre-set. Breath. concentrate, and focus. Changing up to the last second before hitting the stage isn’t professional and doesn’t put you in the right mind-set just before you are about to dance. Take your time and you will become a master of the “Quick Change”. Oh, and it never hurts to ask a friend to help - BUT ask before you need the help NOT in a mound of sweat and craziness at the exact moment their help is required….

Hope that info is helpful….

Tw/uS, A.

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Latest News on Anthony

I was recently interviewed by Jahna Jacobson of the Pensacola Florida Tribune. I found the digital version online. It was a great article and I wanted to post a link on J4T so it is easy for everyone to find.

Thank you Jahna for such accurate quotes and your interest in my views on the current state of Tap in America. Jennifer, your photos in the paper were great. I also enjoyed the picture included in the digital version of the article. Thank you both.

Legendary tap dancer feels he’s teaching a lost art.

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My Pages

I managed my blog, danceregister, Choreographers challenge, and youtube for 12 hours today….and surprise - more than ever I understand it better than before! I know there is lots more work to do….BUT, I can go to bed without any major computer concerns….that ROCKS!

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Top 10 Performance (competition) Things to Remember!

1. Get off the floor when you hop, and PRESS into the balls of your feet (Forced Arch) TAP
2. Don’t dance; Perform
3. Straighten the supporting leg!
4. Spot eye level, on the accent to turn as a unit.
5. No Fouettes in Tap! Save them for your Jazz, Modern, Lyrical and Ballet - Use Tap Turns!
6. Don’t forget to Pointe` your feet - especially when going into & getting up from in floor sections!
7. Every transition is equally as important as each individual step!
8. Be sure to stretch before every performance.
9. Preview and discuss each stage, at each performance, for proper staging and spacing!
10. Express, Emote and SMILE!!!!

I choose these 10 because they apply to 90% of the the dances I adjudicate. They are here to help you avoid the most common pit falls I encounter. Sometimes the hardest thing to do is see ourselves - but when we do, we can become the person we want to be by working on what actually makes up who we are as a person. Then we love ourselves and have the ability to love others. It works that way with Critical Criticism! Listen to what everyone has to say, Take it all with a grain of salt, then place appropriate value to all you have heard and apply it properly to your life!

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My top 10 commandments of tap dance tee shirt!

make custom gifts at Zazzle

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