For each of the Elements of Dance assignments you will have a paragraph or so of reading, a video to watch, some reflective questions, and the assignment to also check out the website of the artist/company whose work you watched.  Be prepared to discuss in class and apply concept to your choreographic studies.  Keep thorough notes in your journal so that you can go back to them at the end of the semester when we discuss “aesthetics” and your preferences. 

 

Week of Jan 24 Assignment 1:  Visit “Home“, “Begin Here” and “BODY“

Download the Elements of Dance Graphic Organizer and keep in your journal for this semester.

On the “BODY” page.  After reading, view the video.

  • In your journal make notes on how the dancer uses her body in this piece. Refer to the Elements of Dance Organizer for clear description through the use of dance vocabulary and concepts.
  • Access  the Body Analysis Tool and use it to assist you in your observation notes for your journal.
  • Apply intentional decisions/adaptations based on the “BODY” to your “Name” study. 
  • Visit the Kenna Cottman website.

Bring your thoughts to class.

Week of Jan 24 Assignment 2: Visit “ACTION“

On the “ACTION” page.  After reading, view the video.

  • In your journal note the different types of actions & movement you see in this video such as slap, jump, etc. Note how the movement choices suggest characters and the mood of this scene. Refer to the Elements of Dance Organizer about Action.
  • Apply intentional decisions/adaptations based on  “ACTION” to your “Name” study. 
  • Visit the Flying Feet Forum website.  Make notes about this choreographer/company in your journal for reference at the end of the semester.

Week of Feb 7 Assignment 3: Visit “SPACE“

On the “SPACE” page.  After reading, view the video.

  • In your journal note how space is used in this dance. Did anything surprise you?  How have you been using space in your choreographic studies? Refer to the Elements of Dance Organizer about Space.
  • Apply intentional decisions/adaptations based on  “SPACE” to your “Quality of Language”  and “Direction & Focus” study. 
  • Visit the Smith & Shapiro website.  Make notes about these choreographers/company in your journal for reference at the end of the semester.

Week of Feb 14 Assignment 4: Visit “ENERGY“

On the “ENERGY” page, After reading, view the video.

  • Using the Elements of Dance Organizer, make notes in your journal about the use of energy in this dance. Speculate about how energy and other elements convey meaning. 
  • Use the Energy Analysis Tool as a guide with the first minute of this dance. Make notes in your journal.
  • Apply intentional decisions/adaptations based on  “ENERGY” to your “Dynamics” study. 
  • Visit the Ananya Dance Theatre website. Make notes about the choreographer/company in your journal for reference at the end of the semester.

 

Week of Feb 21 Assignment 5: Visit “TIME“

On the “TIME” page, after reading, view the video. 

  • In your journal, reflect on the questions: When do things happen?  How do we see and hear changes in timing? What cues the dancers?
  • Refer to the Elements of Dance Organizer, time column.  
  • Apply intentional decisions/adaptations based on the “TIME” to your “Time”  and “Motif” study. 
  • Visit the websites of Zenon Dance Company who danced this piece, and the choreographer of the dance,  Wynn Fricke. Make notes about the choreographer and the company in your journal for reference a the end of the semester. 

ONCE YOU HAVE COMPLETED THIS “TOUR” OF THE ELEMENTS OF DANCE, APPLY IDEAS TO ALL YOUR STUDIES. AS WELL AS IDEAS POSED IN OTHER READINGS, AND VIEWINGS.