Creating original choreography with friends is a great way to bond and have fun together. It’s also a great way to stay active and get some exercise. Plus, it’s always enjoyable to watch a group of friends perform a choreographed routine together. Lin Manuel Miranda’s hit musical In the Heights is full of danceable bops that you will have a blast choreographing, introducing an original visual element to the Tony Award-winning music. The contemporary writing style and easily navigable storytelling mean that these songs are super fun to choreograph with friends. But what is the best song from In the Heights to dance to with friends? Read on to find out!
About In the Heights
The story of In the Heights is set over the course of three days in the predominantly Dominican-American neighborhood of Washington Heights in New York City. The musical follows the lives of several characters as they experience the joys and struggles of life in the city. The overarching themes of the narrative center on the concepts of home, community, and family. The show won the 2008 Tony Award for Best Musical and was nominated for the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
The music in In the Heights is a mix of hip hop, salsa, merengue, and R&B. Because of the strong rhythmic features, the music is very fun to dance to. The mix of styles makes it easy to find a groove and get moving!
The Best Song in In the Heights to Choreograph with Friends
There are many great songs from In The Heights that could be fun to choreograph with friends, but the large group number “96,000” is definitely one of the best. This upbeat track will get everyone moving and the catchy lyrics will make it easy to remember the steps. Plus, the song is all about imagination and sharing ideas as a community, which is what choreography is all about.
Musical Features
Some musical features of “96,000” from In the Heights that make it great to dance to are the high energy level, the catchy melody, and the Latin-infused beat. Syncopated rhythm invites movement throughout the piece. As characters join the conversation, more voices and instruments are added to the track, which keeps momentum going through the number.
Break it Down
In “96,000” there are opportunities for solo, small group, and large group features. You can assign friends to characters and engage in a literal way with the storytelling, or divide storytelling among different individuals or groups. You can even divest from the plot and do away with any existing characters, telling a story that’s all your own. Abstraction is one of the most special features of dance as a medium!
Ham it Up
Whether you’re sticking to the script, or coming up with your own characters for your original routine, remember that characterization is key! How does your character move through the world? This piece has lots of room for personality, so don’t be afraid to go bold!
Choreograph Now, Cherish Later
There’s something special about engaging in creative activities with friends. It’s a chance to bond and connect on a deeper level, to create memories that will last a lifetime. It’s a chance to learn and grow together, to support and encourage each other. Friendships are a cornerstone of our lives, and having fun together is one of the best ways to strengthen those bonds. So get your friends together and get ready to dance your hearts out to the best song from In the Heights, “96,000”!
Hungry after a long choreography session? Try hosting your friends for a lunch party!