Shadows

Shadows, a neo-classical dance work, is an essential part of the GCSE Dance Set works curriculum. This piece tells the story of a small family trying to overcome poverty, showcasing powerful emotions through movement.

The performance features four dancers (2 male, 2 female) dressed in 1930/40's style costumes, including dresses for women and trousers with tops for men. The staging incorporates a block box set with props such as a wooden table, two chairs, a bench, and suitcases, creating a realistic domestic environment.

Example: The use of props like suitcases reinforces the theme of struggle and potential displacement faced by the family.

The choreographic approach involves working closely with the dancers to develop authentic movements that convey the emotional journey of the characters. The aural setting alternates between harsh, rapid sections and softer, more fluid passages, reflecting the family's changing circumstances.

Highlight: The lighting design features white sidelights from stage left and right, creating dramatic shadows that emphasize the piece's title and themes.

The end-stage performance environment allows for an intimate portrayal of the family's story, drawing the audience into their world of hardship and resilience.

Infra

Infra, a contemporary ballet piece, is a significant work in the GCSE Dance Anthology. The title, meaning "below" in Latin, reflects the choreographic intent of exploring life beneath the surface and examining human relationships.

The performance features 12 dancers (6 male, 6 female) dressed in black lycra shorts and different colored tops (grey, black, and flesh-colored), with pointe shoes. The staging incorporates a black box set with a high upstage LED screen, creating a modern and versatile performance space.

Definition: Contemporary ballet - A style that combines elements of classical ballet with modern dance techniques.

The choreographic approach involves showing a phrase and then having dancers copy and develop it, allowing for intricate patterns and interactions between performers. The lighting design uses a white wash with an orange/amber wash downstage, featuring blurred edges that add depth to the visual composition.

Vocabulary: White wash - A lighting technique that illuminates the entire stage with even, white light.

The aural setting includes violin, piano, and morse code sounds, as well as train whistles, creating a rich auditory landscape that complements the movement on stage. This diverse soundscape enhances the themes of hidden connections and underlying structures in human interactions.

The proscenium arch performance environment allows for a clear presentation of the choreography, enabling the audience to fully appreciate the intricate movements and relationships portrayed in Infra.

Within Her Eyes

Within Her Eyes is a poignant contemporary duet featured in the GCSE Dance Anthology. This piece tells a tragic love story with a twist, exploring themes of connection and loss through innovative choreography and staging.

The performance features two dancers (1 male, 1 female) dressed in neutral colors. The male wears earthy-colored trousers and a long-sleeved top, while the female is costumed in a cream thigh-length dress. This color palette reinforces the natural, intimate feel of the piece.

Highlight: A key choreographic element is keeping the female dancer off the floor throughout the entire performance, symbolizing her ethereal or otherworldly nature.

The staging is set in deserted streets, fields, and clifftops, creating a sense of isolation and intimacy. This site-sensitive approach allows the environment to become an integral part of the storytelling process.

Definition: Site-sensitive - A performance approach that takes into account and incorporates the specific location and its characteristics into the choreography.

The choreographic approach draws inspiration from previous works while focusing on the unique challenge of maintaining the female dancer off the ground. This constraint leads to innovative contact work and lifts, emphasizing the connection between the two performers.

The aural setting features piano music that is slow and warm, occasionally incorporating nervous trembling sounds. This musical landscape enhances the emotional depth of the piece, reflecting the complex feelings of love, loss, and longing portrayed by the dancers.

Lighting for Within Her Eyes is designed to appear natural, balancing the outdoor settings and the intimate nature of the duet. This lighting choice helps to create a realistic yet dreamlike atmosphere, supporting the overall narrative and emotional impact of the work.

A Linha Curva

A Linha Curva is a vibrant and energetic piece in the GCSE Dance Anthology, blending samba and contemporary dance styles to celebrate Brazilian culture. This work is an excellent example of cultural fusion and rhythmic exploration for GCSE Dance Anthology revision.

The performance features an impressive ensemble of 28 dancers (15 male, 13 female), dressed in brightly colored lycra shorts and sheer mesh fabric tops. Male dancers also wear metal discs around their necks, adding a percussive element to their movements.

Vocabulary: Lycra - A stretchy, synthetic fabric often used in dance costumes for its flexibility and form-fitting properties.

The staging utilizes a black box set with a raised platform upstage, creating multiple levels for the dancers to explore. The lighting design incorporates a grid flooring system that changes colors, adding to the dynamic and festive atmosphere of the piece.

Example: The changing colored lights on the floor might shift from warm reds and oranges to cool blues and greens, reflecting the energy and mood of different sections in the choreography.

The choreographic approach involves creating and naming phrases after the dancers, emphasizing individual contributions and personalities within the larger ensemble. This method results in a rich tapestry of movements that showcase both unity and diversity.

Highlight: The choreographic intent focuses on having fun and portraying men competing for women's affection, reflecting aspects of Brazilian social dynamics and celebration.

The aural setting features a mix of percussion, guitar, and samba rhythms, providing a pulsating backdrop for the dancers' movements. This music is integral to the work's exploration of Brazilian culture and its vibrant, rhythmic traditions.

Props, including skateboards, are incorporated into the choreography, adding an urban, contemporary element to the traditional samba-inspired movements. This fusion of styles and props creates a unique and engaging performance that captures the spirit of modern Brazil.

Artificial Things

Artificial Things is a thought-provoking contemporary dance work included in the GCSE Dance Anthology. This piece explores themes of isolation and life's limitations, drawing inspiration from personal experiences and the imagery of a snow globe.

The performance features four dancers (2 male, 2 female) in a proscenium arch setting. The costumes are distinctive and character-specific:

• Amy wears a green thigh-length dress
• Laura dons a sleeveless cream top with bright blue streaks
• Dave is dressed in a white collared short-sleeved shirt and grey trousers
• Dan sports a pale green t-shirt and grey trousers

Vocabulary: Proscenium arch - A type of stage where the audience views the performance through a large opening or "frame" at the front of the stage.

The staging incorporates a cream backdrop and a grey floor, creating a neutral canvas for the dancers' movements. A key set piece is a folded wheelchair, symbolizing limitations and adaptability.

Highlight: The choreographic intent explores life's limitations and how individuals relate to each other within confined spaces, both physically and metaphorically.

The choreographic approach emphasizes collaboration, with Laura serving as the primary source of movement inspiration. This collaborative method results in a rich, nuanced performance that showcases the interconnectedness of the dancers and their characters.

The aural setting includes wind sounds, piano music, and the song "The Sunshine of Your Smile," creating a nostalgic and sometimes haunting atmosphere. This soundscape enhances the themes of isolation and memory present in the work.

Example: The use of wind sounds might evoke feelings of loneliness or the passing of time, while the piano music could represent moments of introspection or connection between characters.

The lighting design features white spotlights, a blue wash, and a deep blue central spotlight. These lighting elements help to create distinct areas on stage and emphasize the emotional states of the dancers throughout the performance.

Artificial Things provides GCSE Dance students with a complex and emotionally rich work to analyze, offering insights into how contemporary dance can explore profound themes through movement, staging, and production elements.

Emancipation of Expressionism

Emancipation of Expressionism is a powerful hip-hop piece featured in the GCSE Dance Anthology. This work, choreographed for the AQA GCSE Dance curriculum, explores themes of freedom and emotional journeys through contemporary hip-hop movement.

The piece features seven dancers (3 male, 4 female) performing in a proscenium arch setting. The costume design consists of pale blue t-shirts, stonewashed denim jeans, and grey high-tops, creating a cohesive and urban aesthetic.

Highlight: The choreographic intent focuses on an emotional journey, exploring the concepts of order and chaos.

The lighting design incorporates pale blue spotlights and white light from stage right, enhancing the mood and atmosphere of the performance. The aural setting is divided into three distinct sections:

1. Layer sounds
2. Strong beat
3. Arm rhythm

These musical elements contribute to the overall themes of genesis, growth, and struggle within the piece.

Vocabulary: Proscenium arch - The traditional theater stage with a frame-like structure around the stage opening.

The choreographic approach in Emancipation of Expressionism involves exploring hip-hop movement in a contemporary way, pushing the boundaries of traditional hip-hop dance styles.