I am not a pro, but just sharing what I will do in this situation.
This type of shot is consider EVENT or ACTION shots, normally, a photographer will use flash for this situation. But the intention of the flash is not so much to create an even lighting on the model face, it is more for the ability to use higher shutter speed for a lowest ISO rating. Understanding that this is an indoor event.
EVENT shots is not so much to create smooth and MODEL like skin. It is more to capture the event spirit , dramatic action or pose, or certain mood of the event. Hence, one can hardly have time to think and plan too much.
Most of the time is snap and move, move then snap again kind of possibility only. For the shot that you have pointed out, I feel that the composition a little bit too wide, could have cropped a little bit ( move closer ) and hence the background can be more "clean" or blur, emphasis should be more on the subject facial expression . The photographer is also located at the side, should have move to the center of the group ( but this can be a constrain at the actual situation ).
I hope I have answered your question correctly.