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Balancing act: where do you draw the line between choreography that's inventive ... or over-the-top?

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Great dancers, costumes, music, and props will only get you so far. It's the choreography that counts most when it comes to wowing judges and audiences. It can be worth taking constructive Chances, but how do you find a fresh approach? And where do you draw the line?

"Without a doubt, the last five years have brought a dramatic change in how studios approach choreography," says Joe Lanteri, executive director of New York City Dance Alliance. He sees a greater emphasis on inventive concepts and criss-crossing genres. "There's this fusion of jazz and modern and contemporary. I think that can be exciting and push the boundaries." Yet he warns that focusing too hard on making a winning routine can be a trap. "You end up with a predictable series of steps and dance tricks that someone believes to be the requisite formula."

Choosing the right story line can help. Dance Connection Performing Arts Centre in Concord, CA, has competed for close to 30 years. Recently the studio won an award at a Star Systems competition for Lola, a routine that was an homage to the classic Fosse Damn Yankees number made famous by Gwen Verdon, but with a contemporary twist. "It stood out because it told a...

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