How do different parts of the dance mean different things? What emotions are portrayed and how are they portrayed by the dancers faces, bodies and interactions? Can you formulate a storyline or the essence of one? Does the dance bring concrete images to mind? How do you relate to this dance in relation to your life experiences and beliefs?

Dance Performance Reflection

ASSIGNMENT GUIDELINES:

The bulk of your paper should focus on describing, analyzing, and evaluating TWO specific pieces you select from all of the concert’s pieces. Here are some things to take note of and questions to ask yourself as you watch the two specific dances:

Description = WHAT DO YOU SEE?
General information about the dance: What is the title? Who are the performers (dancers, choreographer, etc.) What is the music? (If you do not know the exact selections, describe the quality.) How many dancers are performing? Are all the dancers on stage at all times? Does the dance have different sections? Does the dancing tell a story or is it abstract?

Choreographic Elements:
How is space used? (floor patterns, levels, focus, directions, shape, points in space, etc.)
How is time used? (do the dancers follow the music, go against it, pause, use breath phrasing, move quickly or slowly, etc.)
How is energy used? (dynamics like sharp, sustained, percussive, etc and qualities like flowing, jagged, shaking, seamless, etc).
Production Elements: How is lighting used to enhance the piece or direct the audiences’ focus? What do the costumes look like? How do the costumes “fit” the dance?

Analysis = WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU?
How do different parts of the dance mean different things?
What emotions are portrayed and how are they portrayed by the dancers faces, bodies and interactions?
Can you formulate a storyline or the essence of one? Does the dance bring concrete images to mind?
How do you relate to this dance in relation to your life experiences and beliefs? (personal aesthetic)

Evaluation = DO YOU RECOMMEND IT TO OTHERS? WHY OR WHY NOT?
What is the quality of this dance? Does it meet your expectations in terms of what you have learn about dance?
Would you watch this again? Are you interested in seeing more of this choreographer’s dances?
Put an emphasis on describing movements that you best remember. Use movement action words such as: swinging, walking, running, leaping, turning, falling, twisting, bending, shaking, balancing, etc. Reference the “descriptive words” list that is provided for you in each module in relation to the discussion assignments.