Yes- great technique is beautiful, but it's nothing without the performance to back it up! The best dancers are also great performers. So how do you bring the performer out in you?
Step 1: Know what showmanship really is.
Showmanship is NOT just plastering a smile on your face and calling it good. Showmanship is that "it" factor. It's what takes your performance from just a sequence of moves to..well.. a performance.
Step 2: Get into character.
Know the vibe of your routine, and get into character.
If your music has lyrics- learn every word. DO NOT sing or mouth the words, but use them to guide your face as if you were performing the song.
Step 3: Sync you showmanship with the choreography.
When the music and your body movements rise, so should your face. When the music and your body movements fall, so should your face. Is the character hurting? I should feel it in your eyebrows, your jaw, your shoulders, and the contraction of your abs.
Not sure where to start? Observe other dancers. What looks good, and why? How can you build that into your performance? Remember: imitation is the best form of flattery!
Step 4: Practice your showmanship EVERY TIME you dance the routine.
Your showmanship is just as much a part of the routine as the movements. If you think of them as separate, they will never come together perfectly.
Scoring levels:
0- blank face.
1- plastered smile. "dead" eyes.
2- pretty good! seems a bit hesitant though.
3- fully matches the energy of the routine.