Dance

Question 1

Give and explain some performance skills

Answer 1

• Focus - use of the eyes to enhance performance
• Projection - the energy a dancer uses to connect with the audience
• Communication of the dance idea - how a dance expresses the themes of a dance through performance
• Musicality - a dancer’s relationship to the music
• Timing - matching movement to sound
• Facial expressions - use of the face to show mood, feeling or character

Question 2

Name four things you should try to include in a dance

Answer 2

• Formations - shapes or patterns created by the dancers
• Simple Canon - performing the same movement one dancer after another
• Cumulative Canon - collecting dancers along the way
• Simultaneous Canon - dancers performing different movements at the same time

Question 3

What makes a group dance look effective?

Answer 3

• A variety of actions (e.g. jump, turn, travel, gesture etc.)
• Use of contact - this could be dramatic (e.g. a lift) or subtle (e.g. hand on shoulder)
• Use of different levels (low, medium, high)
• Use of different dynamics (e.g. fast, slow, smooth, sharp etc.)
• Face different directions (stage right, stage left, upstage, downstage)

Question 4

Give and explain some technical skills in dance

Answer 4

• Flexibility - the range of movement in the joints
• Accuracy - being specific when executing movement e.g. making sure arms are straight
• Coordination - combining different body parts whilst moving
• Control - the ability to start and stop a movement, change direction and hold a shape efficiently
• Strength - muscular power
• Stamina - to be able to maintain energy over a period of time
• Posture and alignment - the way the body is held