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Dance Performance

The document outlines essential dance conventions and practices for auditions, performance, and choreography, emphasizing professionalism, safety, and discipline. Key topics include the importance of proper warm-ups, body alignment, and compositional structures in dance. Mastering these principles is crucial for enhancing performance, preventing injuries, and fostering a respectful dance environment.

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3 views

Dance Performance

The document outlines essential dance conventions and practices for auditions, performance, and choreography, emphasizing professionalism, safety, and discipline. Key topics include the importance of proper warm-ups, body alignment, and compositional structures in dance. Mastering these principles is crucial for enhancing performance, preventing injuries, and fostering a respectful dance environment.

Uploaded by

jayshan2903
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Dance Performance & Composition: Study Notes

Unit 1: Attending a Dance Audition


Topic 1: Dance Performance - Dance Conventions
Dancers are required to follow established dance conventions
—rules and behaviors that ensure a professional, respectful,
and safe environment. These conventions help dancers
perform at their best and maintain discipline in the dance
space.
Key Dance Conventions:
1. Greeting and Acknowledgment
o Arrive early to get ready and focus before class.

o Greet the teacher/choreographer at the start and end

of the class.
o Avoid unnecessary talking when the lesson begins.

2. Use of Space
o Keep the dance area clean and obstacle-free (no

food, drinks, or clutter).


o Personal belongings should be packed neatly at the

edge of the studio.


o Visitors are generally not allowed to minimize

distractions.
o Respect personal space—ensure even spacing

between dancers.
3. Dance Auditions
o Auditions are competitive, with many dancers vying

for limited roles.


o Dancers audition for dance companies (e.g., South

African Ballet Theatre), movies, or


advertisements.
Unit 2: Performing in a Dance Company
Topic 1: Dance Conventions for Safety
Professional dancers must be disciplined, focused, and
committed to following dance conventions. These rules
create a safe and productive environment.
Key Safety Conventions:
1. Moving Across Space in Twos
o Avoid collisions by being aware of your partner and

other dancers.
o Maintain blocking (planned stage positions) for

smooth transitions.
2. Respect for Others
o Show kindness, encouragement, and appreciation

for different skill levels.


o Build a supportive and positive dance

environment.
3. Class Discipline
o Dancers must control their energy and remain

focused.
o Follow instructions carefully, practice patience, and

work hard.
4. Body Isolations & Coordination
o Body isolation: Moving a single body part while

keeping the rest still (e.g., head rolls, shoulder


isolations).
o When combining multiple isolated movements,

timing and coordination are crucial.

Unit 3: South African Dancers


Topic 1: The Importance of Feet Warm-Ups
Dancers rely heavily on their feet for stability and balance.
Proper foot warm-ups ensure flexibility and strength,
preventing injuries.
Why Warm-Up Feet?
 Feet transfer body weight and maintain balance.
 Many styles require pointed toes, demanding strength
and flexibility.
 Warm feet help with stability, alignment, and jump
sequences.
Small Jump Sequences
 Used in choreography to create energy and contrast.
 Dancers must ensure jumps are light, controlled, and in
sync with the music.
 Vincent Sekwati Koko Mantsoe is a choreographer
known for combining jumps with stable phrases.

Unit 4: Choreography
Topic 1: Moving Across Space & Changing Direction
Choreographers design locomotor movements (traveling
movements) and arrange them to express emotions and
meaning.

Examples of Locomotor Movements:


 Gallops, hops, leaps, walks, runs, skips, slides
 Direction changes can involve turns (clockwise,
counterclockwise) or sideways/backward movements.
Warm-Up Rituals: Arm Reaches & Lunges
 Static lunge: Holding a deep lunge to stretch muscles.
 Dynamic lunge: Alternating lunges to warm up muscles
dynamically.
 Arm reaches: Stretching the arm beyond personal space,
engaging the upper body.

Unit 5: Warming Up
Topic 1: Warm-Up Ritual - Floor Work
A dancer's core muscles (back, stomach, pelvis, diaphragm)
are essential for stability, posture, and movement control.
Key Warm-Up Exercises:
1. Rounding & Lengthening the Spine
o Helps with posture and flexibility.

o Dancers should breathe out when bending forward

and in when straightening.


2. Side Bends
o Strengthen and increase spinal mobility.

o Avoid twisting or forcing the bend too far.

3. Cooling Down & Safe Stretching


o Prevents muscle cramps, soreness, and exhaustion.

o Uses relaxation imagery and slow stretching to

improve flexibility.
Unit 6: Preparing to Perform
Topic 2: Improvisation & Composition - Natural Gestures
Natural gestures (e.g., waving, nodding, pointing) are an
excellent starting point for improvised or choreographed
movements.
Techniques to Modify Gestures:
 Exaggeration: Makes movements more dramatic.
 Slow Motion: Extends the time and makes gestures more
fluid.
 Repetition: Highlights importance by repeating the
gesture.
Warm-Up Ritual - Leg Muscle Exercises
 Strengthening hamstrings, thighs, and calves prevents
injuries.
 These muscles support jumps, extensions, and turns.

Unit 7: Improve Your Performance


Topic 2: Compositional Structures
A dance composition is built from phrases and sequences.
Choreographers use different structures to create meaning.

Types of Dance Compositional Structures:


Structure Description Example
Binary Form Two distinct A dance about day
(AB) sections (A) and night (B).
A dance about losing a
The beginning
Ternary Form ring (A), finding it
section is repeated
(ABA) (B), and losing it again
at the end
(A).
A repeated A journey to find
Rondo Form sequence placed water (A), stopping at
(ABACABA) between different a village (C), then
sections returning (ABA).
Thematic A theme is repeated Variations on a core
Variation (A1, but altered slightly movement or
A2, A3, A4) each time emotion.
A dance narrating a
Narrative Form Tells a story
hero’s journey.
Warm-Up Ritual - Ankle & Knee Strengthening
 Flexible ankle and knee joints prevent injuries and
improve hip alignment.
 Dancers should rotate, flex, and extend these joints
before rehearsals.

Unit 9: The Body of a Dance


Topic 3: Posture & Alignment Principles
Posture refers to how the body is positioned and carried.
Alignment ensures proper positioning of body parts for
efficient movement.
Posture & Alignment Key Points:
 Knees should not be locked.
 Weight should be on the balls of the feet (not the
heels).
 The lower back naturally curves slightly.
 The core should be engaged (pulling in the stomach and
bum).
 Knees and toes should align.
 Shoulders should be relaxed.
 Neck should be lengthened, chin lifted slightly.

Unit 10: Community Presentation


Topic 3: Core & Spine Strength in Dance
A dancer’s core and spine are crucial for balance, control,
and injury prevention.
Key Functions:
 The core muscles stabilize the body during turns,
extensions, and jumps.
 The spine absorbs shockwaves from movement.
 Proper posture reduces strain on joints and enhances
movement efficiency.
Safe Landings
To prevent injury when landing:
1. Land on toes → ball of foot → heel.
2. Bend the knees to absorb impact.
3. Avoid excessive strain on shins and heels.

Conclusion:
Mastering these dance principles enhances performance,
prevents injuries, and fosters a disciplined and respectful
dance environment. Regular warm-ups, safe movement
practices, and effective choreographic techniques are essential
for every dancer.

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