Dance Course Schedule 2008-09

Fall 2008

Introduction to concepts and techniques of theatrical movement and physical theatre. Will utilize a variety of relaxation, centering, stylization, and imagery exercises designed to increase body awareness and expressiveness. Skills in ensemble, mime, mask, and light acrobatics will be developed.

This course is an introduction to the art of dance including technique, choreography, production and aesthetics. The focus is on dance as a performing art today rather than on its history or origins. Students will be expected to attend dance concerts and events outside of class time.

Beginning modern dance technique, emphasis on body alignment, strength, flexibility and development of basic technical skills. Maximum: 12 credits.

Intermediate modern dance technique, emphasis on body alignment, strength, flexibility and development of intermediate level technical skills. Maximum: 12 credits.

An advanced course designed to develop awareness and appreciation of dance in its artistic, social and cultural context. The course will offer a variety of experiences, including the viewing of dance in live and video formats, reading about dance, discussing dance, hearing from guest experts and experiencing selected dance movements form various dance genres. We will consider aspects of dance as cultural, spiritual and aesthetic expression, exploring origins and the related roles of the dancer, choreographer and spectator. The class will cover the basic concepts and principals of dance such as space, time and effort as well as expression, form, style and period. Students will gain experience in viewing, discussing, writing about and evaluating dance in several forms, both theatrical and cultural.

This course is an exploration of spontaneous movement as individual and group creativity and expression, as a potential performance form and as the beginnings of choreography. "The body thinks. The mind dances. Thought and movement, words and momentum, spiral about one another (David Gere)." Through a variety of assigned problems and scenarios, students will use movement as a means to make thought and vision visible. The course is designed to develop awareness, focus, sensitivity and personal movement vocabulary. Reading and writing about improvisation, keeping journals and giving and receiving productive feedback will be part of the class. Visits to rehearsals and live concert attendance outside of class time are a class expectation. Students should come to class dressed to move.

Winter 2008

Introduction to concepts and techniques of theatrical movement and physical theatre. Will utilize a variety of relaxation, centering, stylization, and imagery exercises designed to increase body awareness and expressiveness. Skills in ensemble, mime, mask, and light acrobatics will be developed.

Beginning ballet technique, emphasis on body alignment, development of basic technical skills, and understanding basic ballet vocabulary. Maximum: 12 credits.

A study of the basic principles of the art and technique of stage makeup.

Exploration of basic elements of dance through readings, observation and preparation of solo dance studies.

Historical foundations for the development of current dance forms studied through lectures, videos, readings and attendance at dance performances and events.

Intermediate level ballet technique. Emphasis on execution and application of all basic ballet vocabulary and on alignment and skill development. Pre-requisite: low-intermediate technique required. Maximum: 12 credits.

Spring 2008

Beginning laboratory in jazz dance technique emphasizing body alignment, contraction, and isolation technique of Latin, West Indian, African and American rhythms. Maximum: 12 credits.

Choreography is a course that investigates areas of creative process, compositional tools, and individual methods in dance making. The course introduces ideas about choreography that have influenced dance as a fine art in the contemporary genre. We will explore some theoretical and critical ideas on dance in the 20th century. While specialized towards the area of choreography, this course will emphasize an understanding of dance as an art form as part of a larger context and culture. Students work under mentorship to create and present a dance work designed for performance. Performance space will be chosen depending on dances created and space availability. Students are encouraged to collaborate and explore other media.

Intermediate laboratory in jazz dance technique emphasizing body alignment, contraction, and isolation technique of Latin, West Indian, and American rhythms. Maximum: 12 credits.

This class is an extension of Movement for the Actor TA 147 but may be taken by anyone with an interest in performance experience. The class will consist of a series of rehearsals culminating in a final class project: a weekend of performances in the studio theater (LH115) in Lincoln Hall. The pieces(s) to be performed will be determined in the first few weeks of the session. The remaining classes will be absorbed in the production process. The performances created for this class will be largely original and definitely movement-based. The may incorporate music, stylized choreography, mime, manipulation of odd props, mask. Students are not limited to a nonverbal approach and script may be used.

An advanced course designed to develop awareness and appreciation of dance in its artistic, social and cultural context. The course will offer a variety of experiences, including the viewing of dance in live and video formats, reading about dance, discussing dance, hearing from guest experts and experiencing selected dance movements form various dance genres. We will consider aspects of dance as cultural, spiritual and aesthetic expression, exploring origins and the related roles of the dancer, choreographer and spectator. The class will cover the basic concepts and principals of dance such as space, time and effort as well as expression, form, style and period. Students will gain experience in viewing, discussing, writing about and evaluating dance in several forms, both theatrical and cultural.