What to prepare at home before a show — a short list
Space, lighting, music and three things nobody thinks about until it is too late.
Preparation takes ten minutes and improves the show more than any other choice you make. Here is the whole list.
Space
About two metres by two of clear floor. That is less than most people picture, and an ordinary living room manages it once the coffee table moves. What matters is that the space is continuous rather than scattered between furniture.
Lighting
Lighting you can dim. Full white light kills the atmosphere; total darkness makes the show invisible. A floor lamp, indirect light or even one warm bulb makes the difference.
Music
A bluetooth speaker is the only requirement. Most dancers arrive with their own playlist. Moderate volume is plenty, and check the charge beforehand.
The floor
Level and clean. A thick rug makes movement hard, and a wet or slippery floor is a genuine hazard. In a yard you need a level paved surface.
Three things people forget
One: a room or corner to change in. Two: somewhere to put a bag and clothes. Three: the dog — shut it in a room before she arrives.
Seating
A semicircle, not a line and not a closed ring. A line means the ends cannot see; a closed ring means the dancer is surrounded with no way out. The guest of honour gets one chair forward, in the middle of the arc.
The bottom line
Two by two of clear floor, dimmed lighting, a charged speaker, a room to change in and one chair in the middle. Five minutes of work that changes the whole evening.
