Episode 6 - Step by Stage! ~ I Can't Believe I'm the Leader of a Dance Circle! ~...

Episode 6: "Operation Beginner and Slapstick Personal Interviews!"

The new challenge: "What to do with the novice group?"

　Monday evening. I was in the circle room with my head in my hands again.
　Some beginners - those with no dance experience or those who have not yet mastered the basics - have begun to complain that they are unable to keep up with the overall practice. Since the entire circle is scheduled to perform on stage at the festival, we can't leave them behind. However, time is limited, and we have to continue working on the choreography.

　With these worries in my mind, I decided to consult with Rika-senpai. Senpai is a reliable person who sometimes shows up at the circle room even though she is busy with job hunting.
"We can't keep up with the beginners, and it seems that every time we have a ...... general practice, there are people who feel like they're being left behind.
　When I made a weak comment, my senior made a thoughtful gesture with his elbows on the desk.
Koharu: "Well, that's certainly difficult. But Koharu, aren't you trying too hard to pull everyone in at once?"
Huh?"
I think it's impossible to try to do everything on your own just because you are the leader. Why don't you first try to listen to the beginners and see what you can do to help them?
　I am aghast at the words of the seniors. Come to think of it, I may not have talked much with the beginner group individually. ...... During the whole practice, I would just ask them, "Are you okay?" but I haven't had a chance to ask them specifically what they are having trouble with or what they want to do.

'Well, ...... we won't know what the problem is until we talk to them directly first.'
　I realized that, and with the members of the beginner grouppersonal interviewI decided to do the following. However, I might make them nervous if I suddenly ask them to talk to me. ...... What should I do?

Personal interview strategy, start!

　After practice the next day, I approached a few of the beginner group.
'Well, is there anything in your recent practice that's bothering you or troubling you?　I'd like to talk to you for a minute. ......"
　Then one girl raised her hand. Her name was.Saki NakamuraI was a little girl who had never danced before. This is the girl who told me that she had little dance experience, although she longed to be on stage at the festival.
"Um, ...... honestly, it's so hard to keep up with everyone's moves. ......
I see. Saki, which part do you find difficult?"
　When I asked her that, Saki looked a little embarrassed and began to speak in small bits.
"I'm not good at moving while counting,...... and the formations are complicated,...... and I'm worried what if I'm the only one who's out of place... ..."

　I see. The basics that we experienced players take for granted, such as "being aware of the count" and "knowing the formation," are very difficult for beginners.

　Another member of the beginner group, **Takuya Sasaki**, honestly confessed, "To be honest, I can't remember any of the steps, and I get nervous every time the choreography changes. He confided in me honestly, "To be honest, I can't remember the steps at all. He seems to be the serious type among the male members, but he is usually not so conspicuous, so I was a little surprised to hear his opinion.

Saki and Takuya, thank you for talking to me properly! Then how about we make time to practice just the basic steps? We might feel more comfortable if we all do it together. ......"
　They nodded a little relieved.

Slapstick interviews and unexpected happenings

　Talking with some of them afterwards, the opinions of the novice group varied.
I want to feel safe because no one will get mad at me if I can't keep up with practice."
Like, "It would be great if more senior people could teach with us."
A number of them commented, "I would like to see not only the basic training but also the choreography for the show divided into smaller pieces."

　However, I couldn't help but laugh at some of the deflated voices mixed in, such as "To be honest, I'm looking forward to drinking more than dancing," and "The stage for the show doesn't have to be so conspicuous.

　There were also some small happenings during the personal interviews. For example--
Makoto suddenly bursts in and asks, "Can I listen to you too? and startles the beginners.
Sho suddenly hands out sweets, saying, "I brought you this," and for some reason the place turns into a petit party.
Mayu said, "Oh, let's take a survey on costume ideas while we're at it! and the theme completely blurred.

　The personal interviews were the very epitome of a slapstick coming-of-age comedy. ......

After trying to find a solution

　As a result of hearing from the novice group, I have someSpecific measuresWe decided to consider the following.

1. Set aside dedicated time for basic practice.
   　- Create a time before or after the overall practice where beginner groups can focus only on basic drills.
   　- At this time, I, Mayu and Shizuku will be around to support as much as possible.
2. Split formation practice
   　- Allow time for beginners and experienced players to practice separately. Follow up with the beginners until they get used to it.
   　- Create a flow of final adjustments by having everyone match just before the show.
3. Make a video exclusively for beginner groups.
   　- Sho came forward and said, "I'm good at editing videos! and he came forward to shoot a video explaining the choreography and steps with his smartphone so that the beginner group could use it in their independent practice.

I think this would be a great way for beginner groups to get some practice in. ......?"
　When I shared my idea with the entire LINE group, I was relieved to hear the beginners say, "That's a great help! I was relieved to hear the beginner group say, "That's a great help! I feel that I was able to be of some help as a leader.

Talk of a training camp surfaces!

　Then Sho suddenly said, "Oh, by the way, do you guys want to go to a training camp or something?" He said.
"Training camp? Why all of a sudden?"
I think it's time to get serious and start practicing intensively, since the festival is less than two months away. If we stay overnight and work hard, the beginners might grow up a lot!
　Indeed, you have a point. Many university clubs hold summer camps or intensive camps before cultural festivals. If both beginners and experienced players have time to practice together, it will be easier for them to get their formations in order.

　The problem, however, is cost and schedule. Overnight stays are expensive and require the coordination of part-time jobs and classes.
But ...... camp sounds like fun."
　Makoto agreed flippantly, and Mayu was positive, saying, "We could do final checks on costumes and such. Shizuku calmly chimes in, "It's great that we'll have more time to practice, but can we realistically plan for it?" Shizuku calmly chimes in with, "It would be nice to have more time to practice, but can we plan realistically?

　Sho raised his hand and said, "Well, I'll do the research on accommodations and transportation! We decided to go ahead with the idea for the time being.

epilogue

　In this way, the idea of following up with the beginners' group gradually took shape, and a new idea of a camp also emerged. Although my work as a leader has increased, I still feel that I am moving forward little by little.

Being a leader is a lot of work, but I'm glad we can all work together at ......."
　I made up my mind to work even harder to join forces with both beginners and experienced students for the main event of the festival.