AQA GCSE Dance

All skills and set works

Define the physical skill: stamina

The ability to maintain physical and mental energy over periods of time

Define the physical skill: control

The ability to start and stop a movement, change direction and hold a shape efficiently

Define the physical skill: alignment

Correct placement of body parts in relation to each other

Define the physical skill: mobility

The range of movement in the joint; the ability to move fluidly from action to action

Define the physical skill: posture

The way the body is held

Define the physical skill: isolation

The independent movement of part of the body

Define the physical skill: extension

The lengthening of one of more muscles or limbs

Define the physical skill: strength

Muscular power

Define the physical skill: flexibility

The range of movement in the joints

Define the physical skill: balance

A steady held position achieved by an even distribution of weight

Define the physical skill: co ordination

The efficient combination of body parts

Define the technical skill: action content

What a dancer does - travelling, turning, elevation, gesture, stillness, use of body parts, floor work, transference of weight

Define the technical skill: dynamic content

The quality of movement based upon variations in speed, strength and flow - fast/slow, sudden/sustained, acceleration/deceleration, strong/light, direct/indirect, flowing/abrupt

Define the technical skill: spatial content

The where of the movement - levels, directions, pathways, shapes, designs, patterns

Define the technical skill: relationship content

The ways in which dancers interact - lead and follow, mirroring, action reaction, accumulation, complement and contrast, counterpoint, contact, formations

Define the technical skill: timing content

The use of time or counts when matching movements to sound and/or other dancers

Define the technical skill: rhythmic content

Repeated patterns of sound or movement

Define the technical skill: moving in a stylistically accurate way

Characteristic way of dancing

Define the expressive skill: projection

The energy the dancer uses to connect with and draw in the audience

Define the expressive skill: focus

Use of eyes to enhance performance or interpretive qualities

Define the expressive skill: spatial awareness

Consciousness of the surrounding space and its effective use

Define the expressive skill: facial expressions

Use of the face to show mood, feeling or character

Define the expressive skill: phrasing

The way in which energy is distributed in the execution of a movement phrase

Define the expressive skill: musicality

The ability to make the unique qualities of the accompaniment evident in the performance

Define the expressive skill: sensitivity to other dancers

Awareness of and connection to other dancers

Define the expressive skill: communication of choreographic intention

The aim of the dance; what the choreographer aims to communicate

Define the mental skill (in rehearsal): systematic repetition

Using a system or method to recall the same action or phrase again

Define the mental skill (in rehearsal): mental rehearsal

Thinking through or visualising the dance

Define the mental skill (in rehearsal): rehearsal discipline

Attributes and skills required for refining performance

Define the mental skill (in rehearsal): planning of rehearsal

Structuring the use of time effectively to rehearse movement

Define the mental skill (in rehearsal): response to feedback

Practical application of written or verbal feedback to bring about movement

Define the mental skill (in rehearsal): capacity to improve

Ability to develop own practice for the better

Define the mental skill (in performance): movement memory

The ability to recall movements in order accurately

Define the mental skill (in performance): commitment

To show dedication throughout the performance

Define the mental skill (in performance): concentration

To show focus throughout the duration of the performance

Define the mental skill (in performance): confidence

Sureness in the ability to perform

Name all the choreographic devices (10)

Repetition, fragmentation, retrograde, accumulation, canon, complement and contrast, counterpoint, manipulation of number, unison

Define the choreographic device: retrograde

Reversing a movement phrase

Name all the structuring devices (10)

Form, binary, episodic, rondo, ternary, narrative, transitions, highlights, climax, unity

Define the structuring device: episodic

Several sections linked by a theme

Define the structuring device: rondo

A music or dance form with altering and repeating sections

What are the three parts of choreographic content?

Movement content, structuring devices, choreographic devices

What is the choreographic intention of Artificial Things?

Constricted within a snowglobe,

Coming to terms with life's limitations and their resolution,

Being observed or gazed at by others

What is the choreographic approach of Artificial Things?

Collaboration,

Choreographic tasks set by Bennett,

Laura Jone's movement in her wheelchair translated by standing dancers

What is the stimulus of Artificial Things?

Snow covered landscape,

Artwork by Goran Djurovic,

The dancer's personal experiences

Who choreographed Artificial Things?

Lucy Bennett

Who designed the costume and set for Artificial Things?

Anna Jones

Who designed the lighting for Artificial Things?

Chahine Yavrovan

What are the three sections we study in Artificial Things?

Gliding, Dave's solo, Dave and Laura's duet

Describe the lighting in "Gliding" in Artificial Things

Two overlapping large white circular spotlights downstage right, mid intensity orange side light from upstage left, blue wash fills stage

Describe the lighting in "Dave and Laura's duet" in Artificial Things

Two slightly overlapping, low intensity icy white spotlights, no wash

Describe the lighting in "Dave's solo" in Artificial Things

Intense dark blue wash, white high intensity central spotlight, high intensity orange spotlight upstage left in a triangle

Name features of set design in Artificial Things

Paper snow scattered on the floor,

upturned vitrine,

headless mannequin,

3 stools,

cream, blue, brown and green striped backcloth,

grey floor and wooden border

Describe the aural setting in "Gliding" in Artificial Things

piano chimes,

diminuendos and crescendos,

minor key,

clashing notes

Describe David's costume in Artificial Things

dark grey tailored trousers, untucked button up shirt, blue and green colours dripping down the white base of the shirt, barefoot

Describe Laura's costume in Artificial Things

light grey linen trousers, skinny light blue belt, u-neck tank top, blue and green drips on white vest top, hair half-up half-down, shiny black shoes

Describe Amy's costume in Artificial Things

short mini dress with splits in the skirt, sleeveless, blue to green gradient, short hair down

Describe Dave's costume in Artificial Things

White collared, buttoned shirt with blue and green drips, grey cut off trousers, wears brown blazer in his solo

Describe the aural setting in "David and Laura's duet" in Artificial Things

crunching, natural sounds of wind and thunder and ticking clock, echo strings, piano medley

Describe the aural setting in "Dave's Solo" in Artificial Things

"the sunshine of your smile" love song with scratchy and crackly quality, verse chorus format, string orchestra

Who choreographed Shadows?

Christopher Bruce

What did Christopher Bruce choreograph?

Shadows

What company performed Shadows?

Phoenix Dance Theatre

What dance style is Shadows?

neo-classical

What is the choreographic approach of Shadows?

Working with the dancers,

Furniture as an intrinsic part of the choreography,

The anxiety of the music

What is the stimulus of Shadows?

Arvo Part's "Fratres" for violin and piano,

European history and tradition,

Family dynamics and relationships,

Fear of an outside force

What is the choreographic intention of Shadows?

Politically aware,

Fear of an outside force,

Small Eastern European family

How many dancers are in Shadows?

4 (2 male/2 female)

How long is Shadows?

12 minutes

Describe the aural setting in "Daughter's solo" in Shadows

Frantic in direct correlation with the movement, violin plays shrieking notes, found sound of her banging the table, low piano notes to end her section

Describe the lighting in "Daughter's solo" in Shadows

Low level head-height white sidelights, square spotlight over the table

Describe the daughter's costume in Shadows

Short, puffed sleeve shirt in pastel colours, tucked into a grey, knee-length A-line skirt. Hair in a loose half-up half-down, barefooted

Describe the aural setting in "Son's solo" in Shadows

Frantic violin notes, broken chords on piano, minor key, found sound of furniture banging

Describe the lighting in "Son's solo" in Shadows

White shaft of light from upstage left to downstage right like an open door, other dancers dimly lit at the table

Describe the costume in "Son's solo" in Shadows

White, untucked, collarless shirt with sleeves rolled up, grey trousers, barefoot

Describe the staging/set in "Son's solo" in Shadows

Moves the stools one by one to downstage right, turns table on its side like a fortress

Describe the aural setting in "Mother and Father's duet" in Shadows

Initially calm violin, increases to fast and frantic, ends with low piano notes

Describe the lighting in "Mother and Father's duet" in Shadows

White sidelights of low intensity, momentary white wash over the table

Describe the mother's costume in Shadows

Light white and pink floral dress, calf length A-line skirt with fitted waist, puffed sleeves, hair slicked back into a bun

Describe the father's costume in Shadows

White, collarless shirt tucked in with pale stripes, sleeves rolled, brown waistcoat, grey trousers, barefoot

Who choreographed A Linha Curva?

Itzik Galili

What company performed ALC?

Rambert

How many dancers are in A Linha Curva?

28 dancers (15 male / 13 female)

What is the duration for ALC?

23 minutes

What performance environment is used in ALC?

End stage

What are the three stimuli for ALC?

"A Linha Curva" meaning "the curved line" in Portuguese,

Brazilian culture,

Brazilian way of life and the ability to live in the moment.

What are the four choreographic intentions in ALC?

Simply to have fun,

Vibrant Brazilian samba parades in straight lines,

Men pursuing the women,

Contradicting the title

What are the three choreographic approaches in ALC?

Collaborate with the dancers through improvisation,

Each dancer makes solos within their allocated square,

Dancers' sequences taught and the motifs named after their dancer

What is the tonal structure of ALC?

Starts high and dips before going back to high and positive

What happens in Section 3 of ALC?

The men catcall a woman and try to impress her

What is the lighting like in section 3 of ALC?

Low intensity white oval spotlight

What is the dance style of ALC?

Blend of samba, capoeira and contemporary

Who composed the aural setting of ALC?

Percossa

Describe the aural setting in "Introductory Chant" of ALC

Body percussion, loud vocal chants, call and response

Describe the costume in "Introductory Chant" of ALC

Normal costume with a reflective disk-shaped collar

What is the costume throughout ALC?

Black vests, bright coloured lycra shorts, bright coloured zips in straight lines across the vest, barefoot

Describe the lighting in "Introductory Chant" of ALC

Grey/white square spotlights form an "X" shape across the stage that each male dancer stands inside, one yellow/gold square spotlight where all the women kneel

Describe the aural setting in "Section 1" of ALC

High energy samba rhythm including drums, berimbau, bongo and shakers, direct correlation

Describe the lighting in "Section 1" of ALC

Starts with a single horizontal strip of 7 square spotlights (pink, yellow, blue, orange and green) that accumulate behind row by row

Describe the choreographic content in "Section 1" of ALC

Repetition of "swiping" arm movements above head and across chest in a deep second position,

Accumulation of dancers,

Sharp and precise dynamics,

Dancers stay within their squares