PEH CHAPTER 2 - ELEMENTS OF DANCE

Space

This is the area the performers occupt and where they move.

Direction

This states that the performers can go forward, side, backward, diagonal, circular, and so on. They may also face any direction while executing a single movement or several phrases.

Size

This states that movements can be varied by doing larger or smaller actions.

Level

This states that movements can be done in a high, medium, or low level.

Focus

This states that performers may change their focus by looking at different directions.

Beat or Pulse

This refers to the underlying sound that performers used to move with.

Sustained

These are movements that are done smoothly, continuously, andwith flow and control. It odes not have a clear beginning and ending.

Percussive

These are movements that are explosive or sharp in contrast with sustained movements. They are accented with thrust of energy and have a clear beginning and ending.

Vibratory

These are movements that consist of trembling or shaking. This is also a faster version of percussive movements that produces a jittery effect.

Swinging

These are movements that traces a curved line or an arc in space. These are relaxed and giving in to gravity on the downward part of the motion, followed by an upward application of energy.

Suspended

These are movements that are perched in space or hanging on air.

Collapsing

These are movements that are released in tension and gradually or abruply giving in to gravity letting the body descend to the floor.

Bodily shapes

This refers to how the entire body is molded in space or the configuration of body parts.

Symmetrical

This a type of bodily shapes that are balanced in shape and movements are practically identical or similar on both sides.

Asymmetrical

This is bodily shape that has an unbalanced shape and movements of two sides of the body do not match or completely different from each other.