Laurie Schwimmern

Benji & Heidi
Competition Outfits
 

Jared & Lacey
Competition Outfits

Dancing with the Stars
Competition Outfits

SYTYCD
Competition Outfits
 

LAURIE SCHWIMMER TALKS DANCE COSTUMING STRATEGY
 
She is a former US Open competitor.  She is a Master Choreographer.  She and former husband, Buddy Schwimmer, were directors of the renowned 5678 Dance Studio in Redlands, California, that produced dozens of National Dance Champions.  And she is coach and mother to Benji Schwimmer ("So You Think You Can Dance") and Lacey Schwimmer ("So You Think You Can Dance" / "Dancing with the Stars"). 
 

Laurie Schwimmer is one of the best dance coaches in America and very knowledgeable when it comes to the overall preparation for a dance performance or competition.  Because of that, we wanted to talk to her about a special topic that is the subject of a lot of discussion among dance directors and spectators on the WC Swing Circuit: Costuming.
 
Some while back, the USA Swing Net ran a year-long national survey on its website to determine what aspects of Swing competition event directors and attendees would like to see improved the most.  Far and away, the response was COSTUMING - especially in the elite divisions.
 
In the Latin world and Salsa world, stylish costuming is a Primary Focus of the performance.  Even Country dancers place great emphasis on colorful outfits.  But in the WC Swing community, there seems to be a proclivity to wear "black" apparel which dampens visual impact, softens the performance and makes dancers look ordinary. 
 
Despite seeing the positive effect that colorful costuming can have on a performance when watching televised dance shows on ABC and FOX, many WC Swing dancers still cling to that "Black Slack" strategy when competing.  Well folks, it's time to upgrade.
 
The question that spectators often ask: "Why do so many dancers spend so much time and money on dance routines and so little on costuming when it can have such a profound impact on the audience and judges?"  Are dancers naive, stubborn, lazy, out of touch - or a combination of these things? 
 
To help enlighten us, we decided to get some perspective from a person who really knows a lot about costuming strategy.  Here's our interview with highly respected choreographer, Laurie Kauffman, who agreed to share some of her thoughts with our readers.  If you want to impress the judges, take heed.

 
USASN: Back in the 1990s, WC Swing dancers wore flashy outfits with a wide variety of colors, textures and reflective elements to accent and enhance their dance performances. Names like Laureen Baldovi, Jeannie Tucker and Robert Cordoba stand out.  Over the last 10 years, however, dresses and skirts have given way to black slacks for the ladies and the guys are still wearing mostly black apparel.  What happened and how do we change the thinking here?
LK: In the early 90s, I think that there was a "spill-over" of the remnants of the flashy 80s, as far as costuming goes.  In the 80s the thought process was "bigger is better!!"  This included hair, make-up, layering of clothes, layers of jewelry, and of course, neon, neon, neon!!!  So it wasn't unusual to see that flare of style still lingering in the early 90s.  However, that shouldn't be an excuse for bad taste in costuming now! 

For the most part, women don't like to dance in dresses, especially for West Coast Swing!  Reason being, women like to be "ladylike".  Leg extensions, slides, lifts, and Hip-Hop styling don't allow the lady to feel comfortable in positions where her "booty" and "crotch" are right there open for all to see!!  However, with pants, a woman feels more comfortable to be in all kinds of strange positions and executing aggressive-type moves because, with pants, she feels covered up!  But, pants come in all different colors!!! 

It is soooo easy for a woman to go into any ladies apparel store and buy a pair of black slacks that have stretch to them.  Lycra has revolutionized the women's garment world.  Pants with Lycra enable a woman to have no fear of having her pants split when she executes a perfect split drop.  And black pants make a woman look slim.  What woman doesn't want to look slimmer when dancing in front of hundreds of people?!  But...... Black is BORING!  It puts out ZERO energy to a performance because black has no depth!  So as an audience member they will search out color to connect with - even if it is just their hair or face. 

Color personalizes the music and the choreography.  For instance, my daughter, Lacey, did a routine to the old 60s song, "Grazin' In the Grass", which talks about being outside and groovin' to nature. So we decided to have her costume in Yellow and Orange - colors that you don't see a lot on the West Coast Swing floor but colors that would represent the Sunshine in the music. And it worked! The colors enhanced the words and feeling of the song and the choreography. 

Over the years, as a judge, I have often remembered routines by the Color that the couple wears and, believe me, there are way too many couples wearing black on the competition floor that are trying to stand out for me as a judge! 

The same goes for men.  Black pants are there for the taking in any store and are affordable and easy to get.  For the most part, men aren't shoppers, so EASY is best for them!  So in knowing that, probably 90% of your competitors will be wearing Black.  Knowing that, wouldn't you want to be DIFFERENT and wear a different Color so that you can be a stand-out among your competitors?  The answer is simple.  Yes, of course!  So, guys, that would mean getting a seamstress to custom make your slacks! 

If Women take time to custom order their costume, then Men should also!  I have seen routines where the woman's costume is amazing and then the man comes out in black slacks with an off-the-rack shirt and maybe a tie with some rhinestones sprinkled on it - and he thinks its great!  Well, when you do that, the balance is completely off!  BOTH dancers should ALWAYS have their costumes custom-made.  Period!!  Custom costumes are professional and well thought out.  They enhance your performance and will enable the audience - as well as the judges - to better enjoy the entire picture!
 
USASN: Please enlighten our readers about COSTUME STRATEGY.  Let's break it down into categories:
 
Talk about COLOR SELECTION to improve visual impact and contrast against the stage background.  What are dynamic colors, what are muted colors?  Discuss color strategy as they apply to a dancer's skin tones, hair color, body style, and weight. Discuss color combinations between partners for visual appeal.
LK:  Many years ago, I had my COLORS done!  A professional came to my house and looked at my skin tone and hair color.  Then she laid several color swatches of fabric underneath my face and showed me what colors I looked good in - how they made my skin brighter and helped my eyes pop out.   She classified me as a "summer color".  Then she left with me the fabric swatches of the colors that I should be wearing and told me to buy clothing in those colors because I would look better. 

At first I thought it was all pretty silly, but I soon came to find out that she was exactly right!  The same goes for costumes.  If you know that Forest Green makes your skin look like you are deathly ill, then don't wear it!  In most cases, the Woman determines the color of the costumes and her favorite color might be Baby Blue.  But that color may not be the right color for her partner!  So, when getting fabric for your costumes, BOTH dancers need to go together and put fabric swatches up to their faces - and then take a real hard look to see if it flatters their skin tone.  Why not put the same time and energy into your costumes as you do for your choreography?!
 
USASN: Discuss MATERIALS.  How can different fabrics and textures enhance a dancer's look? 
LK: When picking out your fabric and designing your costume, always remember to make your costume "readable!"  Don't junk it up!  The reason why we love some costumes over other costumes is because we UNDERSTAND them.  When a costume has too much ruffle, or the fabric is too busy, or there are too many accessories, it turns us off to the Performance.  It CONFUSES us!  In fact, we as humans will continue to look at the bad costume and forget about the routine!! 

A bad costume can wreck a good routine. A great costume should be the SECOND SKIN to great choreography.  If you have a fast routine, you wouldn't want to wear long layers of ruffle because it will slow down your movement.  Short layers of fringe would be a better fit for a fast routine.  Some colors are Fast and others are Slow.  Red is fast; Baby Pink is Slower and Softer!  The song "Proud Mary" is really fast so Red or Hot Pink would be fabulous.  For a Blues song - which is usually slower and gritty - Gray or deeper Blues would be great. 
 
USASN: Talk about REFLECTIVITY.  How can dancers use rhinestones, sequins or shiny material to enhance their outfits?
LK: I am a huge fan of rhinestones! Where you place your rhinestones on your costumes can really enhance your movement.  For instance, if you have a routine that has some really great arm choreography, then placing rhinestones on the arms would dazzle the movement that much more!  For West Coast Swing, footwork is always a huge part of the routine, so placing rhinestones at the bottom of the pants can give an "extra sparkle" to the footwork in the routine.
 
USASN: Talk about LADIES' HAIR.  Why do so many female dancers pay so LITTLE attention to their hair?  You see women with mop tops, scraggly hair, limp hair - and with hairdos that do little to help and a lot to hurt a performance.  You see hair that flies around during a routine, often covering a female's eyes, smile and cheekbones - three of her most valuable assets.  And you see wildly-flowing hair that often distracts both spectators and judges from enjoying the quality of the actual performance during spinning and lunging actions.  But in the Professional Ballroom community, competitors NEVER let this happen.  So why do so many ladies in the WC Swing community neglect their hair so much and what can they do to improve their appearance?  Isn't hair considered "apparel" in the overall scheme of things?
LK:  I am always disappointed in the way the ladies in West Coast Swing wear their hair for competition!  It's not thought-out and its not customized to their routines.  Ladies, make your hair READABLE so that it can enhance the MOVEMENT in your routine.  Fast Routine, fast Hair!!  If your routine has quick, sharp movement, then don't have it flying all over the place!  It will slow down your spot turns and take away from the speed of all your turns.  Instead, have your hair pulled back and out of your face, making your hair a part of your costume. 

You can also put a hair "accessory" or rhinestones in your hair to give it an extra sparkle for enhancement.  But don't overdo it.  Rhinestones can be addicting!  You don't see a lot of "updos" in Swing, but when you do see them, they are really are great! 

Over the years, for my students who are competing, we hire a hair stylist to come and do ALL the hair for the girls and the guys at the event. This way, you will get a quality and professional look and it will take away the stress of your doing your own hair  
 
USASN: They say that the way you dress for a competition tells the audience and judges how much you care about your routine. Just like wrapping a Christmas present, sometimes artful, intriguing packaging creates as much excitement, anticipation and impact as the gift itself. Your thoughts.
LK: My famous saying is: Serious costume, Serious routine, Serious dancer!!  Always remember, a dancer's costume is the FIRST IMPRESSION that the audience and judges have of you - even before you start to dance! I have been turned-off completely because of costumes that looked like the dancers had thrown them together at the last minute!  I've also been turned-off by too "revealing" of a costume.  You still need to have your dignity! 
 
USASN: How do you approach costuming based upon the Physical Characteristics of the dancer, the song style and the choice of choreography so you get the maximum visual / thematic effect?
LK: I always explain to my students that your routine is like a mini-Broadway show.  In the show, there is a STORY that has a Beginning, a Middle and an End!  It has Costumes, Music and well rehearsed Dancers!  The make-up is perfect, as is the quality of the performance.  But if ANY ONE of these areas are not presented in the Entire Package, the performance suffers and the quality of the show is compromised!  Your 3-minute mini-musical needs to be worthy of a mini "Tony Award!"  Otherwise, it will end up being an off, off, off-Broadway production!!!
 
USASN: Tell us briefly how the costume consultants for "So You Think You Can Dance" and "Dancing with the Stars" approach costuming once they are assigned a couple and the dance / song is determined.  What goes on in those discussions and how is everything integrated into the couple's performance?
LK: On those particular shows, they have costume people that design and make the costumes for the dancers.  And in most cases, the dancers will wear whatever the designers give them. But with Benji and Lacey, because of the experience they've had from competing all their lives and knowing what they know about costuming, they design all of their costumes.  Lacey works with Randall Christenson on "Dancing with the Stars" - a brilliant dress designer. He is always open to her designs and will make whatever Lacey wants in the way of costumes. She often just draws a pencil drawing and hands it to him.  Because he is so good at what he does, the costume is always perfect. When Benji was on "So You Think You Can Dance", he brought along all of his costume pieces and wore a lot of his own stuff when he competed.  A dancer always needs to feel Comfortable - like they are "home" in their costumes - so they can dance with no walls in front of them. 
 
USASN: Can you provide our dancers with any additional insights or suggestions relating to costuming, personal appearance or performance strategy?
LK: Remember, your costume is a part of your routine!  Don't throw that on the back burner!!!  It is your SIGNATURE.  It should represent Who you are and What you want people to remember about you! I have often been complimented by Event Organizers over the years for always having some of the best costumes at their events - and that always tells me that they are watching that!! 

Also, a great costume can actually intimidate your fellow competitors.  When I used to compete, I could tell who the Serious Competitors were by the costumes they wore and the way they held themselves.  Confidence comes from knowing you have done Everything right -  you've crossed all your "Ts" and dotted your Is!"  Always walk on the competition floor feeling you have done EVERYTHING to make your routine its optimum!
 
USASN: On a different subject, you must be extremely proud of the success your kids, Benji & Lacey, have had in the past three years on television and in the movies.  Share your thoughts with us as a Coach as well as a Mother.
LK: When Benji and Lacey were little, their father and I always wanted them to make the decision to "dance" THEIR decision, not ours.  Lucky for us, as Parents and Pro Dancers, they feel in love with dancing!  We trained them as well as we could and always knew that they would be great dancers one day and be Champions! 

Both Benji and Lacey, have a work ethic that is unbelievable!!  They have rehearsed at all weird hours and have stayed up through the night to get their routines perfect.  They ARE dance!  It is Who they are and Where they feel like themselves. 

I am so proud of the dedication they put into their dancing as young children, and then as teenagers, because it is what got them where they are today. Lacey was put on "Dancing with the Stars" when she was just 20 years old.  She was responsible for Herself, her Celebrity and the Public that hopefully would vote for her.  That it huge!  When I was 20, I was still in college educating myself in dance!  And with Benji, it is no different. He went on "So You Think You Can Dance" with his eyes shut.  (As a Family) we ALL did. We had no idea of what was going to happen!  He had just come home from his Mission and asked me if I had ever watched the show.  I hadn't. Then he said, "Mom, I'm gonna try out for the show!"  And, being very naive about the show, I said "OK, that sounds like fun!!" 

Benji won because he showed every week how Happy he was when he dancing!  He was pure in his art form and Completely Committed to the show and what it stood for.  Today, I still get chills thinking about the moment when they announced him as "Americas Favorite Dancer".  

My children are my heroes - and when I grow up, I want to be just like them.