How To Look At Dance

Dance History 100

What The Movement Is Actions

examples- turning, jumping, rolling, running, walking, reaching

LevelsHow close or far a dancer is from the floor.

High, middle, low

What The Movement Is Gesture

a movement of a specific isolated body part that can contain meaning

Commonly used is the hand, arm, and head

Pedestrianeveryday movement from ordinary life

examples- running, sitting , walking, reachingmovements look human and ordinary

What The Movement Is Physical Contact

Called “Partnering” in dance

Dancers are somehow touching each other2 dancers is a duet3 dancers are a trio4 dancers are a quartet5 or more is a groupDescribe the partnering?

How The Movement Is Performed

SpaceThe area in which the

dance is performed.The directions/pathways

created by the bodies moving through space. Can be direct and indirect.

TimeDuration, tempo, speed

Fast, slow, quick, sustainedStillness

WeightQuality of weight in the

body and movementsHeavy or light?Pull away or give in to

gravity

FlowThe continuity of the

movementDoes is start and stop? Does it all run together?

FocusHow the dancers use their

eyes and faceWhere are they looking?

Music, Sound, TextWhat the audience

hears while the dance is being performed

CostumesWhat the dancers

are wearing

LightingThe lights on the

performance spaceColors? Light or

dark? Patterns or texture?

Performance Environment

The space where the performance takes place

A set or props?

Supporting Elements

Time to Practice!!