Glass Dancing
Dancing on glasses is something unique that many dancers have heard of but do not actually do. I have heard of only two dancers other than myself that use this prop so there is not much information about it out there. Although this exciting dance can be very dangerous, I have come up with a method and specific props to make it as safe and interesting as possible.
You will need glasses and plexi glass to start with. I prefer thick-stemmed margarita glasses as they have a larger diameter than wine glasses, thus creating a wider base giving the dancer more balance while still giving the impression of peril. When looking for glasses, check for thickness and stability. Also look for stems and bases that are one piece. I have been through three sets of glasses over the last ten years. The first set I had lasted a very long time. I broke a few when I was first learning this dance and was still unstable; the set only broke completely when the basket I had them in got knocked over. The second set I bought shattered immediately when I tried to dance on them, however, the current set I have seem to be as stable as the first. If you find a good set of glasses, buy at least six of them because you never know when an accident may occur and one is going to break. The glasses and their ability to move easily will depend on how safely you can complete the show. The glasses will react differently to wood or tile and will not work well at all on carpet. I like to use plexi glass to set them on because it gives you a portable surface that is predictable. I put my plexi glass in a tray just to dress it up and give it a beautiful appearance.
Start by taking three glasses and turning them up side down on the plexi glass in a triangle position. Place the ball of your supporting foot on the base of one and the heel of the same foot on the base of the other. Next take the ball of the other foot and place it on the remaining glass. This gives you one foot creating a solid base while leaving the other one free to move around. As long as your balance is good you can do any move on the glasses that you can do in this position on the ground. Once you become comfortable balancing and dancing on the glasses you may begin to move the single glass around. You can move it forwards and back wards and eventually you may be able to turn a full circle with it.
There is a risk involved in doing this dance. When the glasses break they break in the shape of a jagged spike with the sharp tip pointing upwards. I have twice jumped off just in time to keep from piercing my foot on this sharp spear of glass. When you start practicing this take as many precautions as possible. You may want to start by wearing light shoes like a ballet slipper. This will allow your foot to contour along the glass while giving you an added layer of protection in case of breakage. Balance and strength are important while on top of the glasses; remember to keep your core engaged and strong. This increases your balance by controlling your body.
The glass dance is a dazzling display, but, do not forget that this can be very dangerous. Even though I am taking a risk every time I perform this, the exhilaration and anticipation in the audience’s reaction is what keeps me doing it.