Chapter 14: A Presentation of Dance and Choreography

Learning Outcomes

• Engages in collaborative work with enthusiasm, sharing ideas and supporting peers throughout the creative process.
• Actively participates in all stages of a dance production:
  • Planning and pre-production
  • Choreography and rehearsals
  • Final performance
• Demonstrates an understanding of the mythological and cultural narratives surrounding the origin of dance.
• Applies imagination and creativity in utilizing all elements of performance (movement, music, costume, space, and expression) to enhance the final presentation.

Music Selection

• Pick music that suits your theme and dance styles:
  • Use recorded tracks, compose your own, or include live music performed by students.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Choreographer: Designs the dances, leads rehearsals.
• Performers: Dancers and actors.
• Director/Co-ordinator: Keeps everything running smoothly.
• Script Writer: Writes dialogues and narration.
• Music Director: Creates or chooses music and effects.
• Set and Prop Designer: Designs backdrops and props.
• Lighting and Tech Crew: Manages lights, sounds, and tech.
• Costume and Make-Up Designer: Plans the look of characters.
• Marketing Team: Spreads the word about your show!

Use Learning from Other Subjects

• Theatre: For scriptwriting, acting, and dialogue.
• Visual Arts: For set design, costume, make-up, and props.
• Music: For live instruments, songs, and background score.
• Maths and Computing: To plan budgets, timing, or lighting cues.

Choreographic Stages

1. Break your story into scenes or moments.
2. Explore movements and emotions for each character or scene.
3. Use elements from your dance form (sthānas, chāris, hastas) and add creative touches.
4. Consider breath, rhythm, and silence as part of the story.

Assessment Examples

• Demonstrate a movement sequence incorporating posture (sthiti), movement (gati), and breath integration.
• Perform one nṛitta (pure dance) sequence and one nṛitya (expressive storytelling) sequence.
• Express two emotions (bhāvas) using appropriate hastas and explain the thought process behind them.
• Complete a dance-related project.
• Collaboratively choreograph a dance sequence addressing a relevant or current social issue.
• Develop and present a story-based performance as a group.

Criteria for Assessment

• Clarity and awareness in the execution of movement, posture, and mindful breath integration.
• Understanding of movement sequencing, rhythm, and expressive storytelling.
• Comfort and fluency in expressing emotions with accurate use of hastas.
• Depth, creativity, and relevance of content in the project work.
• Originality and creativity in concept, choreography, and presentation.
• Evidence of effective collaboration and teamwork.

Final Performance

• Enjoy the show!
• Reflections: Post-show feedback.

Chapter 14: A Presentation of Dance and Choreography

Learning Outcomes

• Engages in collaborative work with enthusiasm, sharing ideas and supporting peers throughout the creative process.
• Actively participates in all stages of a dance production:
  • Planning and pre-production
  • Choreography and rehearsals
  • Final performance
• Demonstrates an understanding of the mythological and cultural narratives surrounding the origin of dance.
• Applies imagination and creativity in utilizing all elements of performance—movement, music, costume, space, and expression—to enhance the final presentation.

Planning and Pre-Production

Theme and Storyline

• Choose a myth, legend, or historical story and give it a twist to fit today's world.
• Decide if you will write a script or use an existing one.
• Determine how many dances will be included and their role in telling the story.

Style of Dance and Groups

• Select styles of dance that fit the theme.
• Organize dance groups and determine the number of participants.
• Consider the use of props.

Music Selection

• Pick music that suits your theme and dance styles.
• Options include recorded tracks, original compositions, or live music performed by students.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Choreographer: Designs dances, leads rehearsals.
• Performers: Dancers and actors.
• Director/Co-ordinator: Keeps everything running smoothly.
• Script Writer: Writes dialogues and narration.
• Music Director: Creates or chooses music and effects.
• Set and Prop Designer: Designs backdrops and props.
• Lighting and Tech Crew: Manages lights, sounds, and tech.
• Costume and Make-Up Designer: Plans the look of characters.
• Marketing Team: Spreads the word about the show.

Choreography and Rehearsals

Choreographic Stages

• Break the story into scenes or moments.
• Explore movements and emotions for each character or scene.
• Use elements from your dance form (sthānas, chāris, hastas) and add creative touches.

Rehearsals

• Schedule regular rehearsals with clear goals.
• Teach dances group by group and try interesting formations.
• Keep entrances and exits smooth and connected.
• Review and tweak dances as needed.

Production Design

• Finalize props, costumes, lights, and sounds.
• Conduct dress and technical rehearsals.

Performance

• Conduct a Grand Rehearsal, inviting feedback to identify any issues.
• Enjoy the final performance and reflect on the experience.

Assessment Criteria

• Clarity and awareness in execution of movement, posture, and breath integration.
• Understanding of movement sequencing, rhythm, and expressive storytelling.
• Comfort and fluency in expressing emotions with accurate use of hastas.
• Depth, creativity, and relevance of content in project work.
• Originality and creativity in concept, choreography, and presentation.
• Evidence of effective collaboration and teamwork.