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“Telling the Story through an Aerobic Dance
Production”
Presenter, Dr. Faye Gallop, Assistant Professor
Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation
Hampton University
Hampton, VA
faye.gallop@hamptonu.edu
(757-727-5517)
VAHPERD Convention
Founder’s Inn, Virginia Beach, VA
Friday, 6 November ’09 @ 1:00 p.m.
Ballroom #4
Life is full of “awes,” “wows,” “smiles,” and “woes.” As individuals, we have experienced all of these
moments at some point in time on a personal or collective note. Aerobic dance can be an expressive
language for life’s joys and struggles. Through simple aerobic dancing, one can add a twist of flavor to
his/her workout by taking the extra step to create a production or show. One can tell a story through
aerobic dance by making it more than “jog – 2 – 3 – 4 or kick – 6 – 7 – 8.” Aerobic dancing is for
everyone. Amateur and trained dance teams alike can choreograph aerobic moves (from warming up to
cooling down) using catchy, suitable music to further define and elaborate on a category or chapter in a
story. As you can engage in various expressions of the targeted theme, you can get a good workout while
preparing for a great production.
Shaping aerobic dance steps into choreography that tells a story is an “art” that can be electrifying,
delightful, and successful. Additionally, shaping the choreography into a fully themed production to tell a
narrative can be rewarding.
Here are six points to enable you to create great, fun-filled aerobic dance productions:
1st POINT: Keep in mind that simple things work well – don’t get too complex. Keep fun and
excitement in what you are doing.
2nd POINT - PREPARATION
1. Determine the date, time, and location of the production. Allow ample preparation time for
greatness.
2. Create a production title/theme. “Catchy” titles can be created from messages, issues, the
environment, national topics, global concerns, television, radio, fashions, sayings/mottos,
spirituality, education, and the like.
3. Create aspects of the overall theme and categorize them accordingly. This may possibly
determine the numbers of dance teams.
4. Strategize to organize dance teams by category interests, hometowns, friends/associates,
numbering, tattoos, those left-handed, favorite colors, and the like.
5. Teams should select music (2-4 minutes) that is appropriate to define their category/theme.
Depending on the theme, the music can be hip-hop, country western, gospel, R&B or pop rock,
children’s, holiday, noise or beats. (Music can be singles or mixed with a good flow).
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3rd POINT - DESIGNING THE ROUTINE (CHOREOGRAPHY)
1. Encourage students to be creative. Use a variety of dance steps so that each dance team’s
choreography will be unique and different. Today’s popular dances, line dance moves,
oldies but goodies, stepping, zumba, rumba, African moves and on will spark ideas. These moves
also assist in smooth transitions and add “flavor” to the workout.
2. Target and enunciate the exercise moves. “Zing” those moves with hype.
3. Participants may include snippets from other fitness programs as the Pilates method, muscular
fitness and flexibility but the emphasis should be on aerobics.
4. Have an awesome and closing. Keep the audience in “awe” and on edge. Make the audience
“want more.”
5. Costuming to fit the choreography is always a plus. Encourage participants to dress and look the
part, if possible. Because it is a show, hopefully participants will “want” to present their
finest, in every aspect, from having a good time dancing to looking uniformed.
4th POINT - PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
1. As students begin to create their concepts and choreography, they will also be receiving a good
workout. Encourage participants to add a taste of “drama” for more excitement.
2. As fine tuning begins and participants continue readying themselves for the production, they are
reaping even more benefits of a good aerobic dance program.
3. As the show date draws closer, plan your final rehearsals on the production stage. During these
rehearsals, allow participants to constructively criticize each other’s dance team, of course, in
love.
5th POINT - ADVERTISE
1. Determine the advertizing channels (radio, fund-raiser, ticket sales, emails, churches, community).
2. Determine the length of advertising time for effectiveness.
6th POINT - GRADING CRITERIA (if class assignment)
1. Determine the grading criteria based on the objectives if it is a credited class.
MISCELLANEOUS TIPS
1.
2.
3.
4.
Create a “simple” model and have participants to type their routines following the model.
Encourage participants to avoid procrastination because it reduces stress.
Encourage all to work in unity and respect each other’s ideas, thoughts, and opinions.
Record all music on a CD and have back up copies. Double check music before and during
rehearsals.
5. Make use of an energetic charismatic announcer to get the audience involved and enthused.
6. Select knowledgeable music technicians and a stage crew.
7. Ushers are always a plus.
8. Programs are a wonderful bonus (the use of color or colored paper works wonders).
9. Avoid delays between performances. Keep a steady flow so that you don’t lose the “hype” of the
audience.
10. Encourage all participants to support each other individually and collectively.
11. Through inspiration, inform participants to “have a good time.” The hard and great work is
worth it all. The audience, hopefully, should witness the joy. As participants, you may possibly
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minister/motivate individuals in the audience that they can also have a good time taking care of
their bodies through aerobic dancing.
12. Videotape the productions. Participants love to see themselves in their “star” performances.
13. Always encourage feedback so that the forthcoming productions will be even greater.
Individuals are always looking for something different in the fitness world to achieve their personal goals
and to stay enthused and motivated. Some individuals also like a challenge. I have experienced great
success from these productions in that they serve as channels to get individuals to move and take better
care of their bodies – AWESOME!!
Listed below are the successful, action-packed and fun-filled aerobic dance
productions that I have directed and produced at Hampton University, Hampton,
VA. The production categories, chapters, pieces are listed under each theme.
“A ‘Moment’ in History – Yes We Can, Yes We Will, Yes We Did” – Spring 2009
(Moments before, during and after the election – a historical event, President Obama)
“5 Rings of Victory” – Fall 2008
(Countries and their Olympic sporting events – fun competition with medals)
**“Aviation in the 21st Century – Are You Ready to Soar” – (A+ Program, Honors College –
‘Winged Feet’) – Summer 2008
(Airplanes - flight, speed, soaring)
“Showdown on the Campaign Trail – Take a Look at America” – Spring 2008
(Election candidates and issues)
“TV Guide – Reality Shows” – Fall 2007
(Current reality shows)
**“That Was Then . . . This is Now” (A+ Program, Honors College – The Founding of Jamestown)
Summer 2007
(Founding/working people of Jamestown))
“Journey of Woman – I AM Woman” – Spring 2007
(Journey and roles of women throughout time )
“At the Movies - Light, Cameras, Aerobics!!” – Fall 2006
(Types of movies as love and romance, western, comedy, action, military and musicals)
**“The Physics and Finance of Fun . . . Let’s Dance” (A+ Program, Honors College) – Summer 2006.
(Visionaries, Inventors, Innovators, and Motivators – connecting Physics and Finance)
“Family Affairs” – Spring 2006
(The family - members, issues and concerns – yesterday, today and tomorrow)
“Putting Lives Back Together – The ‘SON’ is Still Shining”
(Surviving Hurricane Katrina)
**“Just A ‘Dancin’” (A+ Program, Home and Community, Honors College) – Summer, 2005
(Communities)
“Sportz Jam” – Spring 2005
(Sporting events/activities)
“Backstage Passes at HU” – Fall 2004
(Celebrities)
“Miracles of Passion” – Spring 2004
(Miracles that Jesus performed)
“Victory in the Storm” – Fall 2003
(Hurricane Isabel’s storm categories – forecast, storm preparation, the storm, and aftermath and
linking the storm and categories to life)
“Just Thankful” – Spring 2003
(Reasons to be thankful)
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“Dancing Thru the Holidays” – Fall 2002
(Various holidays)
“Remember the Time” – Spring 2002
(Oldies but Goodies)
“Nothing But Love” – Fall 2001
(Rescue teams extending love and encouragement regarding September 11, 2001)
“Spiritual Wellness – Let’s Dance” – Spring 2001
(Various facets of the church - Gospel aerobic production)
“Holiday Dance Olympiad” – Fall 2000
(2000 Olympics – countries and culture)
“Surf and Turf” – Spring 2000
(Aqua and land aerobics)
“Holiday Workout” – Fall 1999
(Christmas time)
NOTES:
1. **“Mini” productions. Students are in the A + Program, Honors College for one
week on campus.
2. Regular productions are from semester classes.
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Here are sample contents from five selected productions. These are
not the complete production programs:
Yes We Can, Yes We Will, Yes We Did
An Aerobic Dance Production
(Featuring Aerobic Dance Classes)
Hampton University
Ogden Hall
Wednesday, 25th March ’09
7:15 p.m.
The “Moment”
1. Historical
Dance Team
Free
Song Titles
Artists
“Mapale”
“Not One of Us”
“Jesus Walks”
“Beat It”
“Sound of Freedom”
“I Have a Dream”
Toto La Momposina
Disney
Kanye West
Michael Jackson
Bob Sinclair
Common
2. Campaigning
The Change
“A Milli “
“Elect Obama”
“Crank that Obama”
“Black President”
APT
Big Hit Buda
Unknown Artist
Nas
3. Announcement
of
President-Elect
Barack Obama
Presidential
Sweets
“Hero”
“Black President”
“My President is
Black”
“Whatever You Like”
“Black or White”
Nas & Keri Hilson
Tupac
4. Trust
** LPGBC Joyful Jingles
(A Message)
** UBBC Teens
Praise Dancers
(Messengers)
“I’ll Trust You”
James Fortune &
Fiya
5. Inauguration
Day The President
“Presidential March”
“My President
Is Black”
“Signed, Sealed
Delivered,
I’m Yours”
“Celebrate”
“Brighter Day”
“Say it Loud”
Phillip Phile
Divas
Jay Z
Spoof
Michael Jackson
Young Jeezy”
Stevie Wonder
Kool & the Gang
Kirk Franklin
James Brown
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6. “Yes We Can” Presidential
Philosophy
(PART I)
7. “Yes We Can”
(PART II A Message)
8. The Obama
Family
Obamanites
LPGBC
UBBC
(Messengers)
The
Michelles
“Dear Mr. President”
“Ball of Confusion”
“War”
“Union”
“This is How We
Do It”
“Thank You”
“It’s a New Day”
Pink
Temptations
Temptations
Black Eyed Peas
“Yes We Can”
John P. Kee
“Grandma’s Hands”
“The Proud Family”
Bill Withers
Destiny’s Child &
Solange
Grusin & Bragein
Sister Sledge
J. Berry & J. Dubois
“Good Times”
“We Are Family”
“Moving on Up”
“When a Man Loves
a Woman"
9. Stomping Out
Economical
Problems
10. Presidential
Cabinet
11. United States
Congress
12. Surplus
Moments
Montell Jordan
Kirk Franklin
Will. I. Am
Percy Sledge
LPGBC (“Step” Team)
Steppers of Faith
The
Secretaries
The Bill
Rockin’
Renegade
“Let’s Get it Started”
“What it is”
“She’s Just Like My
Chevy”
“All About the
Benjamins”
“Testify”
“Bombs Over
Bagdad”
“She Works Hard
for the Money”
“Rhythm Nation”
Black Eyed Peas
Sophia Fresh
Guccie Mane
Puff Daddy
Common
Outkast
Donna Summers
Janet Jackson
“Men in Black”
“Ready, Set, Go”
“Thriller”
“Somebody’s
Watching Me”
“My Prerogative”
“Where Da Cash At?
“Waiting on the
World to Change”
Will Smith
Tokio Hotel
Michael Jackson
Rockwell
Bobby Brown
Currency
John Mayer
13. Nations
United
Nations
Under a
Groove
“What’s Going On”
“World’s Greatest”
“There’s Hope”
MTV Artists (NAS)
R. Kelly
India Arie
14. Resurrection
(Love and
Sacrifice)
Witnesses
“Mary Did You Know”
“He Lives”
“No Way”
Soundtrack – The
MAN Called JESUS
(Umidi)
Fred Hammond
Tye Tribbett & GA
“Joyful Joyful”
St. Francis Choir
Finale
15. Rising Up
We the People
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5
of
An Aerobic Dance Production
(Featuring Aerobic Dance Classes)
Hampton University
Ogden Hall
Tuesday, 18th November ’08
7:15 p.m.
Participating Olympic Aerobic Countries:
United States, China, South Africa, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Brazil, United Kingdom, Barbados &
Madagascar
Country
*1. China
(Gymnastics)
Dance Team
China Dolls
Song Titles
Artists
*2. Brazil
(Volleyball)
Pintos Ousados
“Samba de Janeiro”
“Macarena”
“Hips Don’t Lie”
“Whenever Wherever”
“Beautiful Liar”
“Negro Drama”
Bellini
Las Dio Rio
Shakira
Shakira
Beyonce ft. Shakira
Racionais ML
*3. United
Kingdom
(Cycling)
United “Biker”
Chicks
“Spice Up Your Life”
Spice Girls
“Palms Down”
“Osei”
West African Rhythms
Osei and His Akapoma
*4. South Africa Nia Dance Troop
(Soccer)
“Hiru No Tsuki”
“Mortal Kombat”
“Zock On”
Akino Arai
Taxxodium
Tenyaki Boyz, Busta,
Rhymes, Pharrell
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5. Globe
(Thanks)
Global
“Somebody Ought to
Tell God Thank You”
*6. United States United “Swimmers” “Dreamer”
(Swimming)
of America
“Champion”
(USA)
“Pump It”
*7. Puerto Rico
(Baseball)
Rican Ruthians
“She Got Her Own”
“Chopped n’ Screwd”
“National Athem”
“Krazy”
“Take Me Out to
The Ball Game”
Babbie Mason
Chris Brown
Kanye West
BEP
Ne-yo
T-Pain
John Stanford
Pitbull
Frank Sinatra
*8. Jamaica
(Track)
Lightning Bolt
“Dutty Wine”
Tony Mattherson
*9. Madagascar
(Boxing)
The Champs
“Rocky Theme Song”
Bill Conti
Sacha Baron Cohen
LL Cool J
*10. Barbados
(Sailing)
Island Fever
“I Like to Move It”
“Mama Said Knock
You Out”
11. Planet
(PARTY)
Planeteers
12. VICTORY
(Universe)
Victors
“Row Your Boat”
“Take Wuh Ya Self”
“Jump”
“The More You Get”
“If It’s Lovin That
You Want”
Elephant Man
Various Artists
Various Artists
Alison Hinds
“Real Party”
Mary Mary
“Joyful Joyful Lord
We Adore Thee”
St. Francis Choir
Rihanna
*Competitive dance teams for the gold, silver and bronze medals
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MIRACLES (Stories)
SCRIPTURES
GROUP NAME
SONG TITLES
ARTISTS
1. Resisting/Stomping Satan
Matthew 4:1-11
Luke 4:13
Stompers
“Stomp”
“In the Morning”
Kirk Franklin
Mary-Mary
2. Calling the Disciples
Matthew 9:9-13
Mark 1:16-19
Mark 1:19-20
Luke 5:1-11
Luke 5:27-32
John 1:35-51
The Disciples
“Waiting”
“Holla”
“Walk With You”
Ramiyah
Ramiyah
Cee Cee Winans
3. Jesus Turns Water
into Wine
John 2:1-11
Wedding
Planners
“Lovely Day”
Kirk Franklin
4. Healing Leprosy
Matthew 8:1-4
Luke 5:12-15
Luke 17:11-19
The Healers
“He Will Take the
Pain Away”
“I’ll Make It”
Kirk Franklin
Matthew 9:1-8
Heaven Sent
“If You’ve Been
Kirk Franklin
Been Delivered
“Down by the Riverside” Kirk Franklin
5. Jesus Caused the Lame
to Walk
Luke 5:17-26
John 5:1-15
John P. Kee
6. Healings (Various)
Matthew 4:23-25
Matthew 8:14-17
Matthew 9:1-8
Matthew 9:18-26
Mark 5:21-43
Luke 4:38-44
Luke 8: 40-56
Luke 7:11-17
Luke 13:10-17
John 5:5-15
Witnesses
“The Best is Yet to
Come”
Donald Lawrence
7. The Miracle Meals
Matthew 14:13-24
Mark 6:30-44
Hungry
“He Loves Me”
“Revolution”
Kirk Franklin
Kirk Franklin
Mark 8:1-13
8. Jesus Calms the Storm
Mark 4:35-41
Luke 8:22-25
Touched
“We Offer You Praise”
Kirk Carr
9. Jesus Rebuked the
Demons
Matthew 17:14-23
The Angels
“Hosanna”
“Thriller”
“Awesome God”
Kirk Franklin
Michael Jackson
Kirk Franklin
10. Jesus Walks on Water
Matthew 14:22-26
Mark 6:45-56
Power Within
“Wade in the Water”
Mary-Mary
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11. Jesus Stops the
Casting of Stones
John 8:3-11
Seniors Plus ‘’1 “African Beat”
12. Jesus Heals Lady with
Issue of Blood
Matthew 9:20-22
Children of a
Miracle
“Whole” and “Dance
13. Jesus Causes the
Blind to See
Matthew 9:27-34
Matthew 20:29-34
Mark 8:22-25
Mark 10:46-52
Luke 18:35-43
John 5:1-15
Aquatic Eyes
“More Than I can Bear” Kirk Franklin
“Let the Praise Begin” Fred Hammond
14. Jesus Raises Lazarus
John 11:38-44
Aqua Believers “Jesus Walks”
“Mary Don’t
You Weep”
“Still I Rise”
“Brighter Day”
Kanye West
John 13:1-17
Servants
“I Give You My Heart”
Eric Taylor
Philippians 2:2
Rejoicers
“Joyful, Joyfu”l
St. Francis Choir
15. Washing of Feet
(Servanthood)
Greetings from
Podor
“Gregorian Chant”
Vidimus Stellam
“Alabaster Box”
Cee Cee Winans
“Shackles” (dance mix) Mary-Mary
Donald Lawrence
& Tri-City
Singers
Trin-i-tee 5:7
Yolanda Adams
Kirk Franklin
Finale
16. One Accord
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(Featuring Aerobic and Modern Dance Classes)
Hampton University – Ogden Hall
Tuesday, 18 November ’03 @ 7:15 p.m.
STORM PHASE GROUP
SONG TITLES
ARTISTS
FORECAST
1. Meteorologists
Phases
2. News Reporters
The Weather Girls
“Fabulous”
“Happy”
“Quiet Storm”
“Set it Off”
Jaheim
Ashanti
Mobb Deep
Whoodini Steps
“Move”
“Stayin’ Alive”
“Get Low”
“Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop”
“Fire”
“Breathe In, Breathe Out”
Ludacris
Wyclef Jean
Lil John & the EastsideBoys
Young Gunnerz
Joe Budden
St. Lunatics
CD 9-10 tracks 7 &10
Mariah Carey
Full Moon – Track 10
Track 1
Ashanti
STORM PREPARATION
3. Panic
Refugees
4. Travelers
Swan Troopers
THE STORM
5. Calmness
Quiet Storm
6. Storm
(wind and rain)
7. Storm
(tornadoes)
8. Blackout
9. Coming Together
10. The Holland
Experience
11. Games, Activities,
etc.
Isabel
“Beat Mixes”
“Honey”
“Brandy”
“CD 9-10”
“Rain on Me”
The Storm
“Tribal Fever”
Tribal Madness
Black Panthers
Hope
Rain
“Gimme the Light”
“Together Again
“I Can’t Stand the Rain”
Sean Paul
Janet Jackson
Missy Elliott
The Hip Hop Kids
“Ring A Rosy”
“Lights, Camera,, Action”
“Stick out your Wrists”
“Handstand”
Elephant Man
Mr. Cheeks
Nelly
Little Wayne
12. Praisers
Total Praise
“Awesome God”
“Hosanna”
“Brighter Day”
Kirk Franklin
Kirk Franklin
Kirk Franklin
13. Restoration
Talented “7”
“Work it Out”
“Jump Off”
Beyonce
Lil’ Kim
AFTERMATH
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14. Power Company
Workers
Gallop’s Graceful
Dancers
15. Clean Up
16. Home Improvement
The Crew
Contractors
17. Red Cross
Rescuers
“Bump, Bump, Bump”
“Candy”
“House Party”
“Crazy in Love”
“Set it Off”
“Stomp”
“Thriller”
“Happy Face”
“So Fresh, So Clean”
“Love’s in Need”
“Hey You”
“I Want You”
BCK
Mariah Carey
Tony Tony Tony
Beyonce
Monica
The Stomp Company
Michael Jackson
Destiny’s Chile
Outcast
Black Street
Andre 3000
Erica Badhu
“Joyful, Joyful”
St. Francis Choir
FINALE
18. Joy
Rejoicers
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A Holiday Dance Performance Extending Love and Encouragement
(Featuring Aerobics and Modern Dance Classes)
27 November ’01
Rescue Team
Group Name
1. The Americans
2. Humanitarians
3. Paramedics
4. Survivors
5. Firefighters
6. Police
7. Army
8. Navy
Red, White & Blue
Care Bears
PHIRE
007
Heatwave
NYPD
Militia
Seals
“A Ballard for Joe Louis”
“No Strings Attached”
“Flashlight” (mix)
“Power Belongs to God”
“Hot Like Fire/Ugly”
“Rhythm Nation”
“Soldier’s Medley” (mix)
“Mission Impossible”
17. Animal
Rescuers
18. Support Group
Essence
Brown Skins
“Puppy Love”
“Atomic Dog” (mix)
“Put Your Hands”
Lil’ Bow Wow
George Clinton
Trin-i-tee 5:7
19. Red Cross
20. The Americans
Early Risers
Red, White & Blue
“991/2”/”Heal the World”
“Proud to be an American”
Hezekiah Walker
Lee Greenwood
Rejoicers
“Joyful, Joyful”
St. Francis Choir
9. Air Force
10. Marines
11. Reserves
12. CIA
13. FBI
14. Security
15. Nurses
16. Doctors
Song Titles
Artists
Crusaders
NSYNC
Parliament (plus)
Hezekiah Walker
Aaliyah/Bubba Sparks
Janet Jackson
Silkka da Shocker
Larry Mullen and
Adam Clayton
Dazzling Diamonds “Survivor’s Mix”
Destiny’s Child (plus)
Military Wives
“Drop the Bomb”
Gap Band
Company “B”
“Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy”
Andrews Sisters
DTK
“Pink Panther”/”Chi Chi Mon”
Various Artists
FBI
“Fast Lane”/”Be Easy”/”Lonely” Bilal
“Be Easy”
Fabolous
“Lonely”
Janet Jackson
Women in Black
“Wanna Be Starting”/Beat it (mix) Michael Jackson
(WIB)
Nurses with Love
“What’s Going On”
Various Artists
Glory
“The Percolator”
Cashmere
Finale
21. United
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SPECIAL NOTES:
1. Sample (complete) programs from productions listed will be available for
review at the conference.
2. References, where applicable, are documented on each complete aerobic
dance production program.