Dance trial examination

Who choreographed Yuldea

Frances Rings (Bangarra Dance Theatre)

Who is Frances Rings

Artistic Director of Bangarra Dance Theatre who combines contemporary dance with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander storytelling

Who choreographed Juliet and Romeo

Mats Ek

Who is Mats Ek

Swedish choreographer known for reinterpreting classical ballet through expressive contemporary movement

What company performs Yuldea

Bangarra Dance Theatre

What is Yuldea based on

Stories of the Aṉangu people

What dance style is used in Yuldea

Contemporary dance with Indigenous storytelling

What are the main themes of Yuldea

Connection to Country, colonisation, dispossession, resilience and survival

What does Yuldea explore

The spiritual connection between people and Country and the effects of colonisation

What is Juliet and Romeo

contemporary reinterpretation of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

What does Mats Ek focus on

Emotional and psychological experiences.

How does Mats Ek challenge ballet

By replacing traditional ballet with expressive contemporary movement

What are the themes of Juliet and Romeo

Love, intimacy, conflict, individuality and freedom

What is Space

Where movement happens, including levels, directions, pathways, formations and spatial relationships

How is Space shown in Yuldea

Circular formations, close ensemble groupings and low levels

What do circular formations represent

Community, continuity and spirituality

What do low levels represent

Connection to Country

How is Space shown in Juliet and Romeo

Close partnering, separation and changing formations

What does close partnering represent

Love and intimacy

What does separation represent

Conflict and emotional distance

What is Time

How movement is organised through tempo, rhythm, duration, phrasing and stillness

How is Time shown in Yuldea

Slow walking motifs, stillness and sudden tempo changes

What do slow movements communicate

Calmness, spirituality and connection

What do fast tempo changes communicate

Conflict and colonisation

How is Time shown in Juliet and Romeo

Stillness, fast conflict scenes and slow duets

What does stillness communicate

Dramatic tension

What do fast movements communicate

Conflict and heightened emotions

What are Dynamics

How movement is performed

How are Dynamics shown in Yuldea

Heavy grounded movement and sharp fragmented movement

What does heavy grounded movement represent

Connection to Country

What does sharp fragmented movement represent

Colonisation and disruption

How are Dynamics shown in Juliet and Romeo

Soft flowing movement and sharp aggressive movement

What do flowing movements represent

Love and trust

What do sharp movements represent

Anger and conflict

What movement example shows connection to Country

Heavy grounded walking motif

What dance elements are used in the walking motif

Grounded movement, sustained dynamics, repetition (motif), low centre of gravity

What does the walking motif communicate

Strong spiritual and physical connection to Country

What movement example represents community

Ensemble moving in large circular formations

What dance elements are used

Unison, circular pathways, close spatial relationships and flowing transitions

What does it communicate

Community, continuity and the cycle of life

What movement shows respect for Country

Kneeling, crouching and floor work

What dance elements are used

Low levels, weight transfer, floor work and sustained dynamics

What does it communicate

Respect for the land and connection to Country

What movement represents colonisation

Sudden change from flowing to sharp movement

What dance elements are used

Percussive dynamics, fragmented movement and tempo changes.

What does it communicate

Violence, disruption and loss

Why is stillness used in Yuldea

To create reflection and emotional tension

What movement represents love

Juliet and Romeo dancing closely together

What dance elements are used

Partnering, weight sharing, sustained dynamics and close spatial relationships

What does it communicate

Love, trust and intimacy

What movement represents separation

The dancers move to opposite sides of the stage

What dance elements are used

Travelling movement, projection and contrast in space

What does it communicate

Conflict and emotional distance

What movement represents conflict

Soft movement changes to sharp aggressive gestures

What dance elements are used

Sustained and percussive dynamics with changes in tempo

What does it communicate

The struggle between love and conflict

Why is stillness used in Juliet and Romeo

To build dramatic tension before important moments

How does Juliet's movement change

It becomes more expressive and confident

What does Juliet's development represent

Emotional growth, independence and freedom