What is it that makes a routine grab the audience by the eyeballs and yell at them, “Don’t miss this or you’ll regret it!” Audience engagement, my friends, audience engagement. What is it and how do you get some?
You can look up the term “audience engagement” and get all kinds of results for performing arts groups (I’m addressing those in the military drill world who perform- we are a performing art and even a sport, FYI) on how to engage your audience. This article is dealing with the content of your routine and how it can engage- or put to sleep- your audience.
Vocabulary
Let’s liken a routine to a short story. The story is built with words (individual moves) which make sentences or what we will call “phrases,” which then build paragraphs (groups of phrases) which ultimately build our short story (our routine). If you began reading this short story and found the same words repeated again and again or that most of the sentences (phrases) were very short without really much development or even long, run-on sentences, you wouldn’t appreciate it as much as a well-written story and so it is with drill.
Which would you appreciate reading more?
Bobby went to the store for some food.
Or
Bobby, a 20-year old young man, walked the quarter mile from his old red brick house to the grocery store to pick up some items he would need for tonight’s supper.
Mix it Up
To engage your audience, you need highs and lows; excitement (“wow moments”) and visual rest periods. You need punctuation as well. Not every phrase can be ended with an exclamation point, or a period for that matter. Big and small; complex and simple; fast and slow; high and low.
Excellence as an Effect
Yes, excellence is part of engaging your audience, but it shouldn’t be the only thing. Look at the Silent Drill Platoon, they have a high degree of excellence, but they also mix other elements into the program.
The Design Process
As a Driller, you need to create effective moments from start to finish. If you just make it up as you go, 99 times out of 100, it will be the bad choice. Use a variety of body, arm, hand, head, leg and foot movements and, if armed, integrate those movements with your piece of equipment (rifle, sword/saber, flag, guidon). You can even design using parts of your uniform in the routine. Pay attention to detail:
- Vertical orchestration: each individual moment.
- Horizontal orchestration: the routine or parts of the routine over time.
Audience engagement requires an exhibition drill routine to be designed with intention. involves a blend of precision, creativity, and adherence to certain principles.
1. Foundational Drill Movements:
- Regulation Drill:
- A strong base in regulation drill is essential. This provides the foundation for precision and discipline. Understanding basic formations, movements, and even commands is crucial.
- Precision:
- Exhibition drill emphasizes precision. Movement must be synchronized and executed with sharpness.
2. Strong Opening & Closing
- Start with Power: Begin with a high-energy, visually striking move (e.g., a coordinated rifle toss, sharp, unique movement, or an impactful formation change).
- End with Impact: Conclude with a synchronized flourish (e.g., a silent drill sequence, a slow-motion effect, or a dramatic halt).
3. Creative Elements:
- Visual Impact:
- Formations: Utilize creative formations that are visually appealing from various angles. Consider patterns and shapes.
- Layered Depth: Incorporate staggered movement where different elements execute separate actions to add complexity (A-A, A-B, A-B-C).
- Transitions: Effective and logical transitions between moves and segments are essential.
- Disjointed movement is movement that lacks smooth transitions or coordination.
- Flow & Cohesion – Transitions between movements are smooth and seamless, creating a visually harmonious effect.
- Movement Variety: Incorporate a range of movements, including use of the upper body, spins, turns, and intricate steps.
- Synchronized Asynchronized Actions: Ensure all team members move in perfect unison to create a powerful visual effect.
- Asynchronous movement is movement occurring at different times.
- See the article What is A-A and A-B Drill. https://thedrillmaster.org/2023/04/25/what-is-a-a-and-a-b-drill/
- Synchronized movement refers to two or more individuals or objects moving in perfect coordination, following a shared rhythm, timing, and pattern. It is characterized by:
- Precision – Movement executed with accuracy, ensuring alignment and timing with others.
- Uniformity – Each participant performs the same action at the same time in an identical manner.
- Rhythm & Timing – Actions are performed in sync with a set tempo, beat, or cue.
- Contrast Fast & Slow: Rapid rifle or upper body movement sequences paired with deliberate, slow-paced movement heightens effect.
- Silent Sections: A sudden silent sequence before a loud, powerful move can build anticipation.
- Asynchronous movement is movement occurring at different times.
- Formations: Utilize creative formations that are visually appealing from various angles. Consider patterns and shapes.
- Flow and Transitions:
- Smooth Transitions: Design seamless transitions between movements and formations to maintain a continuous flow.
- Dynamic Changes: Vary the tempo and intensity of movement to create dynamic changes.
- Equipment Handling:
- Equipment Manipulation: For rifles, swords, and guidon, develop complex and visually striking handling techniques.
- Equipment Movements: Synchronized and asynchronized.
- Visual Musicality:
- Music Selection: Choose music that complements the routine and enhances its impact.
- Synchronization: Align movement with the rhythm and tempo of the music.
3. Practical Considerations:
- Safety:
- Prioritize safety in all movements, especially when handling equipment.
- Ensure adequate space for the routine to prevent collisions.
- Team Capabilities:
- Skill Level: Design a routine that matches the skill level of your team.
- Scale-down the routine at the beginning of the year and then gradually increase the difficulty.
- The same goes for commands and signals. These can interrupt the flow of the routine and give the impression of a disjointed performance. Removing signals and commands here and there over time can help increase effectiveness.
- Team Size: Adapt the routine to the size of your drill team.
- Skill Level: Design a routine that matches the skill level of your team.
- Audience Engagement:
- Audience Interaction: Slight gestures (e.g., a coordinated head turn toward and recognition of the audience) can create connection.
- Callouts & Commands: Strategically timed vocal commands or responses can boost engagement.
- Consider Audience View: Design the routine so that it is visually pleasing and understandable from the audience perspective. Pay attention to:
- Team location on the drill deck.
- Team orientation.
4. Adaptation
- Adjust the performance based on available space and audience vantage points.
- Different Venues:
- Drill Deck: 100’x100’ square on a field, parking lot, or ship deck. Anything is possible here for a full team (9, 12, 16+).
- Stage: Usually restricted to a squad or tetrad performance.
- Indoor: This venue is a dinner setting with a dance floor. It would also be restricted a squad or tetrad performance.
- Street Parade: Either a two- or four-lane road. Many formations that would be performed on the drill deck are not able to be performed here, especially if it is constant movement forward parade.
Resources:
- Observe Other Drill Teams:
- Watching videos of the service drill teams and competitive drill teams can provide valuable inspiration.
- Analyze body movement and step technique, equipment handling, formations, and transitions.
- DrillMaster Articles
- DrillMaster Books
By combining these design concepts, you can create an exhibition drill routine that is both impressive and effective.
Originally written in April 20, 2012, revised March 20, 2025.