3.6 Demonstrate understanding of dance performance practices (4 Credits - Internal)

Activity One: Choreographic intention

The choreographer discussed the intention of this piece being based around his mother. He explained to us how she became very ill and in the time she and him grew a closer bond between them, he told us she old him many family secrets and story and the way he felt when she shared those things with him, and only him. This piece is a dance that focuses on working together and unity within the dancers. The word Manawa can mean breath or heart, both of these tie in with the intention of the dance.

To create this piece several sections were created by both ourselves as dancers and the choreographer. The first thing we were to do is read through our messages/emails and selected words/phrases to create a small paragraph. From there we used this paragraph to choreograph a short phrase. Developing this phrase in a small group was next. We then were taught another small piece of choreography. We were performing this dance in year groups so as a year group we then create and small unicon section before creating moves around the ideas of spine,bird and flock keeping in mind to use choreographic devices such as levels, unicon and canon. Lastly we were to create a small piece based around the idea of staying in a box/square shape.

When performing this dance i enhanced the idea by keeping my focus where it should be and not having wandering eyes. Also when i needed to walk or move to another position i would do it confidently. Another thing I did to enhance the intention was not stopping the flow of the dance, as the choreographer told us that at no point in the dance should everyone be frozen at the same time. Also keeping in unicon when necessary played a major role in enhancing the idea.

Activity Three: Photographs

• Ask a friend to photograph (or video) you at three different points or sequences in the dance.

1-

2-

3-

• Annotate each photo with an explanation of what was in your mind as you performed.

1-In this photo I am walking in the box shape. My eyes are looking focussed and straight ahead, showing that I am confident in always knowing where I need to go/be.

2- At this point all dancers are in a line and the movement is sharp where the left arm is crossed under right arm. During this movement the dancers should all be in unison.

3- All dancers are in a line at the very end of the piece and and we all have our arms out like birds, all keeping in time as we do one movement using our arms going up and then down. Also making sure that our eyes are focused straight ahead.

• Explain what each gesture/moment suggests and how that influenced the way you performed it.

1-This particular moment shows the unity between the dancers as they are walking focused and in time, this emphasises the choreographic intention. At this point in the dance I was influenced to be very confident and strong in where I was walking too and where and when I had to be somewhere.

2- This movement brings contrast to the dance as it is very strong movement. When performing the movement I need to keep in mind the contrast I should show between the calm movements and this one. It shows that although majority of the dance is very soft and flowing, the dancers are still very strong and as one.

3- This moment emphasises the calmness of the music and the dance, the bird is a representation of life and freedom which are both very happy and positive things. This helps reinforce the idea behind the intention of unity and togetherness as at this point all the dancers are coming together to create something positive. Because of what the moment suggests, I was influenced to perform this section of the dance very soft/ calmly and make sure my movements were in unison with all the other dancers.

Activity Four: Technique

• Describe the techniques that are important for the performance of this dance. You could use diagrams or photographs to illustrate these.

The choreographer has made the technique of timing an important technique for the performance of this dance, in particular unison versus non-unison. For example in the beginning of the performance, the dancers are seen walking in pairs in a box shape. It is important at this time they are in time with one another throughout this whole section. It is important to the dance as a main focus is unity and working together as one. Another thing the choreographer discussed with us is the importance of keeping the movements flowing and at no point having every dancer completely still, So it was important that us as dancers have to are aware of each other and keep the dance flowing without any complete stops besides the beginning and end of the piece. Another technique that was used was focus, the dancers had to always be focussed and knowing where they had to go to next. The focus from the audience is always changing in this piece so it was important that the dancers stayed completely still and let the audiences attention move to the other dancers when need be.

Describe two moments or movements in the dance that you found particularly challenging. Describe how you managed these moments in your performance. What were you thinking about as you danced them?

1- A particular moment that I found difficult was in the first section of the dance. Walking across the box shape and keeping in time with my partner was quite hard, as it was challenging to keep my focus straight ahead whilst keeping in time with them, also the music did not a have a solid beat to follow off. I managed this by finding a steady pace and keeping that same pace each time with my partner, also using my peripheral vision to keep in time.

2- Another particular moment I found challenging was keeping in time in the unicon section, it was challenging because there was no beat in the music and no particular counts for the choreography. I managed this challenge by keeping in time with the person in front of me but also making sure my focus was straight ahead.

• Using the breath is important. How did you use your breath when you performed?

Throughout this dance it was important to keep my breathing pattern quite slow and relaxed. In particular parts of the dance all of the dancers breath had to be in time and at a particular speed. For example when all the dancers are lined up and have their arms out like birds, it is very important that in the the last breath when the dancers arms go up then down that all dancers with their breath as it forms the idea of unity. Another example of use of breath is when all the dancers are in a curved line but this time have their hands on eachothers shoulders, from here the breath is used when the dancers canon the breath from the front of the line to the back.    

Activity Five: Technologies

• Explain how the music influenced the way you performed.

The music that was used to perform this piece did not have a solid beat therefore we had to rely on using each others movements to keep in time, which meant having to really pay attention to the other dancers or it could result in being out of time with each other which then breaks the choreographic idea of unity.

• If you were to design a costume for the performance what would it look like? Draw a picture and explain how the costume would help convey the feelings and ideas in the dance.

If I were to design a costume for this performance I would make sure all the dancers have the same, this would emphasis the idea of unity which is a main choreographic idea behind the dance. Also the costumes would be very neutral colours as the dance is very calm and the dancers are emotionless.

• If you were to design lighting for the performance what would it look like? How would this influence the mood of the dance?

Following the dancers in the box part of the dance. Lights quite dim in the unicon parts, following the dancers moves as this would help with the relaxed and calm choreography. There would be no sudden lighting changes as that would change the calm mood that is set.