| Cisco Cheerleading Industrial | |
I recently choreographed an industrial for the software giant, Cisco. The client wanted a "mock" cheerleading team to perform a loud, exciting cheer at their national sales meeting at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Our job was to create a team from "Riverdale High" that would knock the socks off the several hundred Cisco employees with feats of wonder.
Since this wasn't a cheer competition, I had leeway to design the best structure for the performance. I chose the show-cheer format, casting the best talent possible-- professional L.A. dancers, New Breed staff from my company, Choreography Central, and cheerleaders from the award winning Dana Hills High School cheer squad.
My co-choreographer Kyle Bruich, and I designed eye-popping stunts, quick transitions into advanced tumbling passes, and great contemporary dance moves. We also incorporated dazzling lifts-- men lifting women, and women lifting women, that you probably wouldn't see in the typical cheer routine. Again, with our "creative license" we just let go!
The fact that we combined so many styles was a testament to the talented and versatile team. Since half of my squad did not use cheer terminology, and many had cheered for pro teams (NBA, NFL) that are more dance based, we were constantly coming up with new names for groups of steps and short combinations. There was the 50's section, utilizing overhead jitterbug type lifts and flips. There was the groove section, the military section, the opening "Rocky" section, etc.
A bit timid and standoffish at first, the Dana Hills HS girls eventually jumped in with great determination and ideas, trying steps that might have been reserved for their school's song squad. I had two men who were pulling out double tours (a ballet jump for men), but to the cheerleaders, this looked like a new, cool twist jump that they just discovered. One of my male dancers had often thrown his dance partners over his head in fancy lifts like the helicopter and around-the-world. But he'd never supported a stunt, two and a half people high! He was open to trying this challenging maneuver, despite the fact that we had only two days to set the routine for full out performance.
Everyone involved was challenged beyond their usual experience. Dancers were bases, cheerleaders were dancers, and some of my pom pom girls were tumbling and spotting. It was a great visual feast and lots of fun to put together.
Not only was the performance executed flawlessly, the client was fooled into believing we were an actual competitive squad, and he said we reminded him of his alma mater!
The lesson learned was that great things can come from being open to new ideas and new formats. That by fusing everyone's skills, and combining amazing techniques, we ultimately invented something unique. As a choreographer, it is my job to invent, impress, and elevate, and be careful about safety issues too. To give the cheerleaders and dancers confidence and instill trust. They have to feel that I know what I'm doing, but know I'm open to exploring new ideas, new ways of moving, and just going for it!
During my work with all-star studios, youth and high school teams nationwide, I encourage different teams to train together. So much can be learned from the disciplined dancers, who, if they are serious, think about correct hip and knee alignment, point their feet, keep their backs erect, stomachs in. They learn how to spot for turns, how to land through the ball of the foot out of jumps, protecting joints. They perform without "selling it,"-- really feeling motivation from within and dancing for pure joy, unlike projecting "facials," as some cheerleaders brand their expression.
Cheerleaders, in turn, have wonderful attack, gusto, fearless commitment to trying new jumps, catches and cradles. Cheerleaders learn to project their voices, and combine quick running and stopping skills with strength moves. In fact, when my staff works with cheerleaders, we are delighted to see that they often pick up and perform hip hop sections even more feverishly and aggressively than the dancers. Though we often modify the choreography to fit the squad's level, the cheerleaders pick up the strong martial arts type moves and the quick changes of direction, very effectively. The cheerleaders may not have the technique and learned line, but they have determination and fire.
Put hip hop into cheer routines and you emphasize the athleticism of your squad. Put hip hop with poms, pointed feet and triple turns that lay-out into a standing back tuck--that will be an explosive routine!
Obviously this combination of moves won't work for all cheer teams or divisions, but exchanges of ideas and styles will benefit everyone. "Together we can build it better!"
When conducting your practices, have the cheer and dance teams workout side by side--it's better for all. Their skills will improve, their range of style will increase, and it just might create a more cohesive and congenial unity between teams at school events.
About Michelle: Michelle is CEO and owner of MoreZap Productions and Choreography Central.
