Caller (dancing)

Their role is fundamentally the same as a caller, in that they tell dancers what to do in a given dance, though they differ on several smaller points.

The role of a caller in modern western square dance is not only to provide the dance steps which all of the dancers on the floor should be able to follow, but also to provide entertainment through a combination of factors, including programming, showmanship, singing ability, and challenging choreography.

Part of the entertainment factor can come from the caller's use of "patter" — a set of rhyming words and rhythms that complement the names of the dance steps being called.

Patter can not only be entertaining because it is innovative and surprising, but it can also fill in the space between lengthy dance patterns, helping boost up the energy during potentially dull moments.

There are two primary classifications of figure types in modern Western square dancing, patter and singing.

Choreography may appear "on-the-fly" with calls randomly strung together, but it conforms to strict choreographic rules.

The primary purpose of patter calls is to give dancers a challenge by surprising them with unexpected choreography.

Many callers are very well known for their ability to put calls together to create a unique, smooth-flowing dance.

The primary purpose of singing calls is to help the dancers relax, dance well together as a group, and enjoy the song and the caller's performance.

The "B" sections, known as the "figures", are often, especially at the lower levels of dancing, identical, and produce a partner change.

They are uncommon above the Advanced program, although there are famous singing calls at the highest challenge levels.

The caller might feature a particular music theme (such as a Rock and Roll party, or a Halloween festival), or might include variations of a particular dance call throughout the night.

Generally callers start the evening slowly to warm dancers up, and to give them chances to succeed during the first tip.

Round dance cuers recite rehearsed, pre-choreographed sequences of figures.

The cuer, rather than being expected to call out original, on-the-fly choreography, is expected to know many (sometimes lengthy) dances and lead the floor through each one by appropriately and clearly stating the name of each successive step in the dance just in time to hear it before the last step has finished.