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Angela performs at PoleCon 2025

Ways to start creating a pole dance routine

Creating a pole dance routine can be super fun! And a little daunting especially if you’ve never done it before!

Like most things there isn’t necessarily a “right way” to do it. There is likely just a better way for *you* to create a routine that feels most natural. In this post, we’ll talk about some different ways to start creating a routing, especially if it’s your first time.

Start by following any guidelines or rules

Before you even start creating your routine with the little pole dancer in your head (who Is always way faster that you and never gets tired!) double check any requirements, guidelines, or rules for your routine.

If you are competing, you might have a lot of rules to follow for your routine.

These rules might include things like:

  • Time limits
  • Costume and/or prop requirements or limitations
  • Theme(s)
  • Other stuff like move specific requirements—either to do or to avoid.

While you’re checking on guidelines, make sure you understand all the deadlines too. You might have to submit your music and prop info a month or more ahead of time. Put all that info in your calendar. It’ll help you create your training plan.

Once you have any guidelines or rules, now it’s time to really start!

Starting to choreograph a routine, for real this time

Some performers don’t choreograph at all—they freestyle everything!

If you are not a freestyler, then these suggestions are for you.

Move to any song(s): sometimes you have a song in your head that you can’t wait to dance to. Or sometimes when you read the rules or theme for a competition or show, you have the perfect idea for a song. Other times, you just don’t. When this happens, starting to dance is a great way to move passed the “blank page” fear. Start dancing to anything! You might find a certain type of song is easier to dance to than others. Or you might not like the song, but you discover some movement that feels good!

Have a concept but no moves: if you don’t have a freestyle practice or that idea of “just dancing” scares you, try this tip. You might have a concept like “I’m a mortal becoming a vampire” but no moves. Start writing down all the moves you know or collect videos/photos of them. Then of those moves, see what moves can be put together to form combos or sequences. Then see what moves seem to work with your concept. And see what moves you really want to share and “show off.”

Have moves but no concept: maybe you’ve got a list of moves or there are some prescribed ones based on the rules that you need to include, buuuut you have no concept! Start looking at the moves and see if they tell a story. Maybe all your moves are strength based. If they are, think about what kind of character is strong. If they are physically strong maybe they are a warrior or if they are strong in their beliefs, maybe they are a monk or an activist, maybe they aren’t a person at all but a dinosaur! Now you have a character, see what music comes to you. If you literally have no idea, start googling “best songs to dance to as a dinosaur” or whatever your character is. You might find some really interesting ideas!

Develop the vibe/theme/character

Building your routine is likely going to be an iterative process. Sometimes, the perfect music, theme, moves, character, and costume all just come to you like in a dream but most of the time, it emerges like carving something from stone. Parts are going to look funny at first and your vision may change slightly but it will evolve in *your* routine!

Now that you’ve got some move ideas, some character ideas, and maybe a song or two, it’s time to work on costume, decoration of your moves, and your face.

Your costume: make sure it fits any rules like you must have your gluteal fold covered or you can’t “get down” to pasties. Then see if it fits your character. Would your vampire wear white? Or maybe red or black? Do you want to be sparkly? Do you want to wear shoes? Make some broad decisions early on because they can impact what moves you can and cannot do safely (or how you do them).  You might be a DIYer or you might work with a costume designer. In any case, you’re going to need some time to complete the costume and test it.

“Decorate” your moves: sure you have a really cool jade but are there any accents to it that could help reinforce your character? Is your vampire funny? Maybe they want to flex their feet in the jade. Or maybe you make an inappropriate hand gesture when you go into the move. These little details can really help create a fuller story.

Don’t forget your face: whether your routine is funny, sad, sexy, strong, or some awesome combination, make sure to do something with your face. You are selling the emotion and telling the story of your character with your body AND your face. Practice in front of a mirror if you’re not sure or ask a friend if your face and other gestures are “reading” the way you intend to a general audience.

Make sure you’re having fun

Sometimes “fun” can be a tough word. You want to feel like you’re getting something out of creating your routine. Maybe it is fun, or maybe you like a challenge or a way to focus your training. In any case, if you hate it, you don’t have to do it again! And if you love it, there are so many opportunities to share your talents with the world! Like applying to perform at PoleCon <3

Colleen
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