Components of Dance
Components of Dance
KINDS OF DANCE
Natural or untutored dance- dance can be enjoyed both by the trained and untrained
dancer. This is “creative dance” now encouraged in schools that frown upon what
they call unnatural and rigid disciplines of formal dance training.
Solo or Group Dance- performed by a single dancer, is for a specific purpose: to
demonstrate a particular technique or style of dancing. Solo dance presentation!
Group dances are categorized as folk dance, ballroom dancing and ballet
Ethnic Dance- that is indigenous to a certain race or country.
Ballroom Dance- social or popular dance performed by couples.
Theatrical Dance- classical dance like ballet, performed by highly trained and
physically, the most eloquent form of dance.
Modern Dance- group dancing as in discotheque.
Philippine Folk Dances
Pandanggo sa Ilaw- Originally from Lubang Island, Occidental Mindoro, Pandanggo
sa Ilaw is a Filipino cultural dance of balancing oil lamps or glasses with candles
inside. One of the lamps or glasses is perched on the head, and the other two on the
palms of each hand. This native Filipino folk dance is performed in 3/4 time and
accompanied by castanets.
Itik-itik- which translates to “duck,” imitates the movements of the itik species, such
as how they walk, fly and splash water. The folk dance comes from Surigao del Sur.
According to the tale of its origins, a young woman who was considered the best
dancer in the region performed Itik-itik during a baptismal ceremony. The ceremony
guests were entertained by her steps; they copied her movements and have since
passed them along.
Tinikling- is perhaps the most popular folk dance in the Philippines, where its roots
originate from the province of Leyte. Officially the National Dance of the Philippines,
Tinikling, is inspired by the movement of the tikling birds, which the dance is aptly
named after. The dancers, traditionally two male and female dancers, perform using
bamboo poles 9 feet long parallel to each other. The native dance is composed of
combinations of singles, doubles, and hops that are determined by the beat of the
bamboo poles.
Maglalatik- is a folk dance that only includes male dancers with coconut shell halves
secured onto the dancers’ vests. Its history and origins vary by region. One of its
stories is that it is a mock war dance from Biñan, Laguna, that represents a fight over
coconut meat, a highly coveted food, and is danced during a religious procession to
San Isidro de Labrador, the patron saint of farmers. The other story is that it tells the
fight between the Christian and the Muslim Moro tribespeople where the performers
that represent the Christians wear blue trousers. In contrast, the performers that
represent the Moro community wear red trousers. Maglalatik has four parts, two
dedicated to the battle and the other to reconcile.
Cariñosa- is a Philippine folk dance representing the Maria Clara-like mannerisms
and personality of the Filipina women during the Spanish Colonial Period. The folk
dance originated from Panay Island and was introduced by the Spaniards during
their colonization. The courtship dance consists mainly of flirtatious movements
using a fan and a handkerchief where the male and female pairs peek out at one
another behind the fans and handkerchiefs.
Singkil- originates from the Maranao tribes in Mindanao and translates to “getting a
leg or foot entangled in an object” or “to entangle the feet with disturbing objects
such as vines or anything in your path.” It was originally performed by a solo female
dancer accompanied by the beating of bamboo poles.
STAGE CRAFT (technical aspect of theater)
Lighting involves the determination of the angle, size, suiting intensity shape and
colour of light for the respective scene.
Make up/ wigs- to delineate and enhance the role of a character and to give
performers an additional tool for conveying the characters being performed.
Mechanics- this refer to the design engineering and operation of flow sets or flight of
performers, and mechanize scenic elements and special effects
Production- this include stage management, production management, show control,
house management, and company management.
Scenery- this include set construction scenic painting theater drapes and stage
curtains, and special effects.
Theatrical property-also known as props, this includes furnishings, set dressing, and
all other items which cannot be classified scenery electrics or wardrobe, although
some crossover may apply.
Wardrobe- this refers to costumes design and its construction, procurement, and
maintenance.