Emancipation of Expressionism, Infra, and Shadows

Emancipation of Expressionism

The staging for Emancipation of Expressionism is intentionally minimalistic to focus attention on the dancers' movements and formations.

• The set consists only of a purple backdrop.
• The absence of additional set design or props allows for clear formations and quick entrances and exits.

Quote: "Having little set design was a choreographic intention as Kenrick wanted audience to be focused on the pattern changes and changing formations."

Infra

Infra's staging incorporates technology to create a multi-layered visual experience that supports the theme of life beneath the surface.

• An 18-meter LED screen spans the width of the stage above the backdrop.
• The screen displays a continuous flow of electric figures walking across, representing the bustling life above ground.
• The monochrome colors of the screen complement the dancers' costumes.

Vocabulary: Aural setting in Infra refers to the use of sound and music to create atmosphere and support the visual elements of the performance.

Highlight: The number of figures on the screen increases during the climax of the piece, emphasizing the theme of isolation amidst a crowd.

Shadows

Shadows uses a minimalist set design to evoke a sense of poverty and tension.

• The black box setting with bare walls and floor suggests low social status.
• A small collection of furniture (two stools, a bench, and a table) upstage left represents a family home.

Definition: A black box theater is a simple, unadorned performance space, usually a large square room with black walls and a flat floor.

Example: The son uses the furniture as barriers against an unknown threat, creating a palpable sense of fear and sadness.

This detailed analysis of staging and setting in the GCSE Dance anthology provides students with valuable insights for their GCSE Dance revision. Understanding how these elements contribute to the overall performance is crucial for success in the AQA GCSE Dance examination.

A Linha Curva, Artificial Things, and Within Her Eyes

A Linha Curva

The staging of A Linha Curva reflects the vibrant Brazilian culture and carnival atmosphere.

• Musicians are positioned on a raised platform upstage, emphasizing the equal importance of music and dance in Brazilian culture.
• The empty black box stage serves multiple purposes:
  1. It allows the large ensemble to perform formation changes safely.
  2. The black floor enhances the visibility of vibrant lighting.
  3. It creates a sense of a live carnival performance.

Example: During the Adage Septet, five dancers glide across the stage on skateboards from left to right, representing a carefree and fun-loving attitude.

Artificial Things

The setting of Artificial Things is designed to reflect the concept of limitation and isolation.

• The stage floor is pale grey with a wooden edge, symbolizing the restriction of a vitrine or snow globe.
• A snow-filled vitrine is placed upstage left, directly referencing the snow globe stimulus.
• The backdrop features vertical streaks of blue, green, and brown paint, inspired by Goran Djurovic's paintings and complementing the costumes.
• A linear pathway of paper snow extends from downstage right to upstage left, enhancing the cold atmosphere.

Highlight: A wheelchair placed on its side downstage right at the beginning of the performance links to the stimulus of an isolated figure on a collapsed wheelchair. This prop is later incorporated into the dancers' movements.

Within Her Eyes

Within Her Eyes is a site-sensitive work that utilizes six different outdoor locations to convey the passage of time and the evolution of relationships.

• The locations include a graveyard, field, cliff top, forest, and quarry.
• The progression of locations becomes gradually more enclosed, mirroring the dimming of light as day turns to night.

Example: The Prologue features the female dancer walking through an isolated graveyard, setting a somber mood and suggesting a theme of loss.

Highlight: The contrasting environments, from vast open fields to intimate forest settings, reflect the changing dynamics of the dancers' relationship.