Dance key terms

What is meant by 'Accessory' in dance?

An additional item of costume, such as gloves.

What does the term 'Actions' refer to in dance?

What a dancer does, including travelling, turning, elevation, and gestures.

Define 'Acceleration' in the context of dance.

Speeding up the movement.

What is 'Accompaniment' in dance?

The sound heard during a dance, such as percussion.

Explain 'Accumulation' in dance choreography.

When dancers perform movements and others join in at different times until all are in unison.

What does 'Air pattern' refer to?

A design traced in the air by part of the body.

Define 'Alignment' in the context of dance.

Correct placement of body parts in relation to each other.

What does 'Appreciation' mean in terms of dance?

Recognition and understanding of dance qualities.

What is 'Artistic intention' in dance?

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

Define 'Artistry' as it relates to dance.

Creative skill.

What does 'Auditory' mean?

Relating to sound.

Explain 'Aural setting' in a dance performance.

An audible accompaniment to the dance, such as music or natural sound.

What is 'Balance' in dance?

A steady or held position achieved by even weight distribution.

Define 'Binary' in the context of dance composition.

A composition in two parts or sections.

What is meant by 'Canon' in choreography?

When the same movements overlap in time.

What does 'Choreographic approach' refer to?

The way in which a choreographer creates dance.

What are 'Choreographic devices'?

Methods used to develop and vary dance material.

What does 'Climax' signify in a dance?

The most significant moment of the dance.

Explain 'Complementary' movements in dance.

Actions that are similar but not exactly the same as another dancer's.

What are 'Constituent features' in choreography?

Characteristics such as style, subject matter, and physical settings.

What does 'Contrast' mean in dance?

Movements or shapes that have nothing in common.

Define 'Control' in the context of dance movements.

The ability to start and stop movement or change direction efficiently.

What is 'Coordination' in dance?

The efficient combination of body parts.

What does 'Costume' refer to in dance?

Clothing worn by dancers during performances.

Explain 'Counterpoint' in dance.

When dancers perform different phrases simultaneously.

What is 'Critical appreciation' in dance?

Evaluation of dance based on knowledge and understanding.

What does 'Dance film' encompass?

A work where dance and film are both integral, includes various forms like documentary and animation.

Define 'Dance for camera'.

Collaboration between choreographer and filmmaker to create a multi-media dance work.

What is 'Dancewear'?

Clothing worn by dancers for class and rehearsal.

Explain 'Deceleration' in dance.

Slowing down the movement.

What does 'Development' refer to in choreography?

The manipulation of movement material.

Define 'Direction' as used in dance.

The facing of a movement.

What is a 'Duet' in dance?

A performance by two dancers.

Explain 'Dynamics' in dance context.

The qualities of movement based on variations in speed, strength, and flow.

What are the 'Elements of dance'?

Actions, space, dynamics, and relationships.

Define 'Elevation' in dance.

The action of going up, such as in a jump.

What is an 'End-stage' performance space?

A space with the audience on one side, also known as 'end-on'.

What does 'Episodic' choreography imply?

Choreography with several sections linked by a theme.

Explain 'Execution' in dance.

Carrying out actions with the required intention.

What are 'Expressive skills' in performance?

Aspects that engage the audience, such as focus and musicality.

What does 'Extension' mean in dance?

Lengthening one or more muscles or limbs.

Define 'Facial expression' in dance context.

Using the face to show mood, feeling, or character.

What are 'Features of production' in dance?

Elements like lighting, set, properties, costume, and aural setting.

What does 'Flexibility' refer to in a dancer?

The range of movement in the joints.

Explain 'Focus (use of)' in dance performance.

Using the eyes to enhance interpretative qualities.

What is meant by 'Form' in dance?

The overall shape and structure of a dance.

Define 'Formations' in dance choreography.

Shapes or patterns created in space by dancers.

What is 'Fragmentation' in choreography?

Using parts of a phrase or motif.

What are 'Highlights' in a dance piece?

Important moments in the dance.

Define 'Ideational' in dance context.

Relating to ideas or concepts.

What does 'Improvisation' mean in dance?

Generating movements without prior planning.

What is an 'In-the-round' performance area?

A setting with the audience seated on all sides.

Define 'Intention' in dance choreography.

The aim or desired outcome of the dance.

What does 'Interpretation' refer to in dance?

Finding the meaning in the movement or vice versa.

What is 'Isolation' in dance?

Independent movement of a part of the body.

Explain 'Kinaesthetic' awareness in dance.

Sensory perception of movement and position.

What do 'Levels' in dance refer to?

The distance from the ground: low, medium, or high.

Define 'Lighting' in the context of dance performance.

The illumination of the performance area.

What is a 'Logical sequence' in dance?

The flow of phrases or sections of a dance.

What is 'Manipulation of number' in dance?

How the number of dancers in a group is utilized.

Define 'Mental rehearsal' in the context of dance.

Thinking through or visualizing the dance.

What encompasses 'Mental skills' in dance?

Attributes like commitment, concentration, and movement memory.

Explain 'Mobility' in the context of dance.

The range of movement in a joint; fluent movement between actions.

What is a 'Motif' in choreography?

A movement phrase encapsulating an idea that is repeated and developed.

Define 'Motif development' in dance choreography.

Ways in which a movement phrase can be varied.

What does 'Movement material' consist of?

The actions, space, dynamics, and relationships in dance.

What is 'Movement memory'?

The automatic recall of learned movement material.

Explain 'Musicality' in dance performance.

The ability to exhibit the unique qualities of the accompaniment.

What is 'Narrative' in dance?

Dance that tells a story.

Define 'Pathways' in choreography.

Designs traced in space.

What are 'Patterns (spatial)' in dance?

Repeated designs traced in space.

Explain what is meant by 'Performance' in dance.

The presentation of dance to an audience.

What does 'Performance (personal)' refer to?

Acquisition and development of physical and expressive skills.

Define 'Performance environments' in dance.

Different settings for dance such as in-the-round or proscenium.

What is a 'Phrase' in dance?

A short sequence of linked movements.

What does 'Phrasing' mean in a dance context?

The distribution of energy in executing a movement phrase.

Explain 'Physical skills' that contribute to dance performance.

Aspects like posture, control, flexibility, and strength.

Define 'Posture' in the context of dance.

The way the body is held.

What is 'Professional work' in dance choreography?

Original choreography recognized nationally or internationally.

What does 'Projection' involve in dance performance?

The energy used by a dancer to connect with the audience.

Define 'Prop/property' in dance.

A portable object used in a dance, such as a suitcase.

What is 'Proscenium' in relation to a performance space?

The arch that separates the stage from the audience.

Explain 'Rehearsal discipline' in dance.

Skills required for refining performance such as teamwork and effective time use.

What are 'Relationships' in dance?

The connections and interactions between dancers.

Define 'Repetition' in a dance context.

Performing the same action or phrase again.

What does 'Retrograde' mean in choreography?

Reversing a movement phrase.

What is 'Rhythmic content' in dance?

Repeated patterns of sound or movement.

Explain 'Rondo' in dance or music.

A form with alternating and repeating sections.

What does 'Safe execution' mean in dance?

Carrying out actions safely.

Define 'Safe working practice' in dance.

Personal care and respect for safe execution.

What does 'Sensitivity to other dancers' mean?

Awareness and connection to other dancers.

What is meant by 'Site sensitive' in choreography?

Dances designed for non-theatre spaces.

What is a 'Solo' in dance?

A performance involving one dancer.

Define 'Space' in the context of movement.

The 'where' of movement, including levels, directions, and patterns.

What does 'Spatial awareness' refer to in dance practice?

Consciousness of the surrounding space and its effective use.

Explain 'Spatial design' in dance choreography.

How elements of space are utilized and designed.

What is 'Staging/set' in performance?

Presentation of dance including set, furniture, and props.

Define 'Stamina' related to dance performance.

Ability to maintain energy over extended periods.

What does 'Stimulus/stimuli' refer to in dance creation?

Inspiration for an idea or movement.

What does 'Strength' mean in relation to dance?

Muscular power.