MODERN DANCE 2 / FALL 2024

     I Main Lesson 1 Rehearsal Journal Rehearsal Log Suggested Guidelines Log each rehearsal by writing down the total length of the rehearsal and the tasks that were accomplished in chronological order. Reflect on each rehearsal in a journal entry.  The journal should provide a space in which you can reflect on the rehearsal you just had and consider how that might shape the rehearsal you are about to have.  My suggestion is to pick a particular question/challenge/discovery and spend significant time with it (as opposed to simply reporting in on many aspects of the rehearsal).  The journal truly should be a helpful step of your artistic process as opposed to  Here are some questions that you might consider while writing a journal entry: 1 ) What important discoveries were made during the rehearsal? 2 ) What led to those discoveries? 3 ) Towards where do those discoveries lead? 4 ) Consider questions #1-3 except focus on ...

   I   (3:20 -  4:40) Question 1 According to Crystal Pite, why do we need stories in dance?   II   LINK   How to Tell a Story through Dance   -------------------------------     III      ACTIVITY Written Component : Tell Your Story  Remember that in Modern Dance, there is always a story being told. For instance Catherine Dunham - Barrel House Blues  The piece is based on the slow drag a couple stands common to the Juke and the honky tonking. It depicts the time in Chicago when it was cold.  This lonely woman who felt a little beat up went on in a barn and had the time of her life just for a moment. She finds this young man and fantasizes.    https://youtu.be/UcN0G7xItwo (9:00)   Lester Horton - The Beloved The Beloved (all 1948), based on a newspaper article about a man who suspected his wife of infidelity and beat her to death with a Bible. The Beloved , co-...

 I Unit: Catherine Dunham Theme: Afro-Moves   Introduction  Katherine Mary Dunham was an American dancer, choreographer, anthropologist, and social activist. Dunham had one of the most successful dance careers of the 20th century and directed her own dance company for many years. She has been called the "matriarch and queen mother of black dance."   II Warm Up  Stretching   Alignment   III Learning Objectives   Understand the origin of Dunham's dance philosophy Gain awareness of the importance of Dunham's technique Experience the adaptation of Afro-Caribbean movement to Modern Dance Reflect on the work done in class     IV Main Lesson   1 Dunham' Technique      Question 1   Explain in which way Dunhams's dance experience influenced showbis in America?     2     Question 2 Based on this conversation captured on video, what was Dunham's experience with audiences in America? 3   Q...

    I   Unit: Producing Theme: The music of the solo   II Introduction  Although dance performances can occur anywhere, a dance production, or dance concert , typically involves dance performed on a stage with lights, costumes, and music , and the production may include scenery, props, and other technical elements. Today, we will be working on the music of your individual solos.  III Learning Objectives Understand the production aspect of dance art Gain awareness of the importance of choosing the right music for a piece Experience the adaptation of pre-choreographed movement to music Reflect on the work done in class    IV Main Lesson   1 Warm Up Alignment Stretching    2     Rehearsal of Solo Piece  Follow the Following Steps:  a. Dance a character outside your comfort zone. b. Push for tougher choreography. c. Analyze every step. d. Study your transitions. e. Fill in the blanks...

    I   Unit: Fundamentals of Dance Theme: Bound and free flow / Mambo   II Introduction  Ted Shawn was a pioneer of American modern dance. He created the Denishawn School together with his wife Ruth St. Denis. After their separation he created the all-male company Ted Shawn and His Men Dancers. Today, we will explore concepts such as bound and free flow, created by Rudolph Laban, whom Shawn knew about. We are using mambo, a closer rhythm to us in South Florida, to fuse these two concepts, as we dance to the music.  III Learning Objectives Understand the application of the idea of "flow" and howit has two elements, bound and free Gain awareness of Ted Shawn's fundamentals of dance Experience Shawn's emphasis on male dance as an affirmation of masculinity Reflect on the work done in class    IV Main Lesson   1 Warm Up Alignment Stretching     2   Ted Shawn  Question 1 1. What is Ted Shawn's general vi...

    I   Unit: Ritual Dance Theme: Ruth St. Denis & Ted Shawn   II Introduction  In 1914 St . Denis married Ted Shawn , her dance partner. The next year they founded the Denishawn school and company in Los Angeles . The school became known to international artists for more than 16 years.(1) Among her choreographic innovations were “ music visualization”and a related choreographic form that she called “ synchoric orchestra”.(2)  III Learning Objectives Understand the application of the idea of " music visualization Explain how "synchroric orchestra" helps the dancer to develop body expression Gain awareness of St. Denis that " dance should be spiritual instead of simply entertaining or technically skillful " Experience St. Denis' "new emphasis on meaning and the communication of ideas" by using themes previously considered too philosophical for theatrical dance. Reflect on the work done in class    IV Main Lesson   1 Warm Up Alignment...

  I Warm Up Stretching Posture   II   Isadora Duncan Technique taught by Catherine Gallant at Jacob's Pillow 2017   Question 1  What is your overall feeling of Duncan's technique as taught by Catherine Gallant?   III Slow Movements / Tanagra Studies https://youtu.be/6cbQw1AfwvM?si=N_uTqsQeIY5GXDR6   Question 2 How do the slow movement routine, taught by Marie Carstens, enhance the overall expression of Duncan's moves? IV Duncan Barre https://youtu.be/cl13Wk1ePZk?si=EOJ23-S5PzrEYUny    Question 3 In which way are the barre movements  taught by Loretta Thomas reminiscent of ballet technique? Explain. V Duncan's Moves Across the Floor Run with Momentum  Down Down to go Up lateral Jump Cross Lateral Jump Turn to Jump Running with the scarf Balances Down Up Up   VI   Activity Students create a solo phrase using any of the above Duncan inspired movement ideas. VII Journaling Question 2 After experiencing the above movements, how...