Deciding

After thinking carefully about the styles and pieces I wanted to include in my showreel, I narrowed it down to three distinct dance styles: Commercial, Jazz, and Contemporary. I chose these styles because I believe they demonstrate my versatility as a dancer and highlight my ability to perform across different genres with confidence and authenticity.

For my Commercial section, I decided to include a project I completed at college, choreographed by my lecturer, Serafina. The piece is titled Breaking Dishes, and it has a bold, dynamic quality that I feel really showcases my performance energy and ability to commit to powerful movement. It’s a high-impact piece that allowed me to show a more commercial, confident side of myself.

In the Jazz section, I selected a short snippet from another college performance, which was also choreographed by Serafina. This particular piece was inspired by the West End musical Moulin Rouge, and it gave me the chance to explore stylized, theatrical movement with strong lines and character-driven performance. It felt like the perfect way to demonstrate my control, precision, and storytelling through Jazz technique.

Finally, for the Contemporary section, I chose to include a solo from a larger piece we created at college. This piece was choreographed collaboratively by me and my peers and was inspired by Medusa by Jasmin Vardimon. The concept explored the transformation of Medusa, with each solo representing a different phase of her journey. My solo specifically represented her turning point—how she became the so-called “monster.” It was a deeply expressive and personal performance that allowed me to connect with the character and express emotional depth through movement.

After writing down all the dance pieces I know and rehearsing each one, I narrowed it down to these final three styles and selections. I did this because I wanted to include only the strongest, most impactful parts—some of which were 30 seconds or longer—so it was important to be selective. I needed to ensure I made time for the best sections that truly showcased my skills and versatility as a performer.

I had the option to film my showreel in a studio with my lecturers; however, I wasn’t able to take this opportunity as the scheduled filming days clashed with my work commitments. Despite this, I was determined to create the best showreel possible. I made sure to book studios in advance, plan out the footage I wanted to capture, and structure my time effectively so I could still produce something I was proud of.

Once I finalized the pieces and planned the filming, I began rehearsing each section with intention and focus. I spent time revisiting the choreography, making sure I understood not just the steps, but the emotion and dynamics behind each movement. It was important to me that my performance felt authentic and well-rounded, not just technically strong.

To give myself the space and time I needed to work effectively, I booked a dance studio. Having that dedicated environment really helped me to focus without distractions. It also gave me the freedom to experiment with performance quality, spacing, and transitions—something I wouldn’t have been able to do in a smaller or less suitable space. I treated each rehearsal as if I were already being filmed, constantly pushing myself to refine the details and elevate the overall impact.

I knew that if I wanted my showreel to truly reflect my abilities and potential as a performer, I had to approach it with professionalism and dedication. Rehearsing in the studio became a vital part of that process. It allowed me to build confidence, improve my stamina, and polish each piece until I felt proud of the work I was creating. This stage of preparation was not only about perfecting the material but also about growing as a dancer and deepening my connection to the pieces I had chosen.