🎭Musical Theater Performance Unit 4 – Dance and Movement Styles I

What's This Unit About?

• Explores the role of dance and movement in musical theater productions
• Covers key dance styles commonly used in musical theater (jazz, tap, ballet)
• Introduces basic movement techniques to enhance performance skills
  • Includes posture, alignment, and weight shifting
  • Focuses on developing coordination, flexibility, and strength
• Examines the historical evolution of dance in musical theater
  • Traces the influence of various dance styles on the genre over time
  • Highlights the contributions of notable choreographers
• Emphasizes the connection between dance, character development, and storytelling
• Provides practice exercises and drills to improve dance technique and performance abilities

Key Dance Styles Covered

• Jazz dance
  • Originated from African American dance styles and rhythms
  • Characterized by syncopated movements, isolations, and dynamic energy
  • Incorporates elements of ballet, modern, and African dance
• Tap dance
  • Involves rhythmic footwork and percussive sounds created by metal plates on shoes
  • Requires precise timing, coordination, and musicality
  • Styles range from classic Broadway tap to more contemporary and improvisational approaches
• Ballet
  • Classical dance form emphasizing grace, precision, and fluidity
  • Utilizes specific vocabulary of steps and positions (plié, tendu, pirouette)
  • Serves as a foundation for many other dance styles in musical theater
• Modern dance
  • Developed as a rebellion against the strict rules of classical ballet
  • Focuses on expressive, natural, and organic movements
  • Influences contemporary musical theater choreography
• Ballroom dance
  • Includes partner dances such as waltz, foxtrot, and tango
  • Often featured in period pieces or shows with formal dance scenes
  • Requires coordination, spatial awareness, and connection with a partner

Basic Movement Techniques

• Posture and alignment
  • Maintaining a neutral spine and engaged core
  • Proper placement of shoulders, hips, and feet
  • Allows for efficient and safe movement execution
• Weight shifting
  • Transferring weight between feet and through the floor
  • Essential for balance, control, and transitions between steps
  • Creates dynamic and fluid movement quality
• Coordination and isolation
  • Moving different body parts independently or in unison
  • Develops body awareness and control
  • Enhances the clarity and precision of dance movements
• Flexibility and extension
  • Increasing range of motion in joints and muscles
  • Allows for greater freedom of movement and expression
  • Achieved through regular stretching and conditioning exercises
• Musicality and rhythm
  • Understanding and embodying the timing, phrasing, and dynamics of music
  • Synchronizing movements with musical elements
  • Enhances the emotional impact and storytelling aspects of dance in musical theater

Historical Context of Dance in Musical Theater

• Early 20th century
  • Dance primarily used as a form of spectacle and entertainment
  • Influenced by vaudeville, minstrel shows, and follies
  • Limited integration with the narrative and characters
• 1920s-1930s
  • Rise of the "Golden Age" of musical theater
  • Choreographers like George Balanchine and Agnes de Mille begin to integrate dance into storytelling
  • Dance becomes more central to the plot and character development
• 1940s-1950s
  • Emergence of the "dream ballet" concept
  • Extended dance sequences used to explore characters' inner thoughts and emotions
  • Choreographers such as Jerome Robbins and Bob Fosse gain prominence
• 1960s-1970s
  • Influence of rock and roll, jazz, and social dance styles
  • Choreography becomes more experimental and boundary-pushing
  • Shows like "West Side Story" and "A Chorus Line" showcase the power of dance in musical theater
• 1980s-present
  • Fusion of various dance styles and influences
  • Increased emphasis on athleticism and technical prowess
  • Continued exploration of dance as a storytelling tool in shows like "Rent" and "Hamilton"

Famous Choreographers and Their Influence

• George Balanchine
  • Pioneered the integration of ballet into musical theater
  • Known for his work on "On Your Toes" and "Slaughter on Tenth Avenue"
  • Emphasized the importance of musicality and collaboration with composers
• Agnes de Mille
  • Choreographed the groundbreaking "dream ballet" in "Oklahoma!"
  • Used dance to delve into characters' psyches and advance the plot
  • Paved the way for dance to become an integral part of musical theater storytelling
• Jerome Robbins
  • Choreographed and directed numerous iconic shows ("West Side Story", "Fiddler on the Roof")
  • Blended ballet, jazz, and modern dance techniques
  • Known for his ability to create dances that seamlessly integrated with the narrative
• Bob Fosse
  • Developed a distinctive style characterized by angular movements, jazz hands, and sensuality
  • Choreographed and directed "Sweet Charity", "Pippin", and "Chicago"
  • Pushed boundaries and challenged traditional notions of dance in musical theater
• Michael Bennett
  • Conceived and choreographed "A Chorus Line", revolutionizing the role of dance in musicals
  • Used dance to explore the lives and struggles of Broadway performers
  • Emphasized the importance of storytelling through movement and ensemble work

Connecting Dance to Character and Story

• Establishing character through movement
  • Using dance to convey a character's personality, background, and emotional state
  • Incorporating specific gestures, postures, and movement qualities to define a character
  • Differentiating characters through contrasting dance styles and abilities
• Advancing the plot through dance
  • Utilizing dance sequences to propel the story forward
  • Revealing key plot points, conflicts, and resolutions through movement
  • Creating visual metaphors and symbolism to enhance the narrative
• Expressing emotions and relationships
  • Conveying characters' inner feelings and thoughts through dance
  • Exploring the dynamics and tensions between characters through partner work and spatial relationships
  • Using dance to heighten emotional moments and create catharsis
• Integrating dance with music and lyrics
  • Choreographing movements that complement and enhance the musical score
  • Using dance to visualize and expand upon the themes and ideas expressed in the lyrics
  • Creating a cohesive and unified performance that seamlessly blends dance, music, and acting

Practice Exercises and Drills

• Basic warm-up and stretching routine
  • Preparing the body for dance by increasing circulation and flexibility
  • Incorporating exercises for the feet, legs, hips, spine, and arms
  • Preventing injury and promoting proper alignment
• Foundational technique exercises
  • Practicing basic steps and movements specific to each dance style (jazz, tap, ballet)
  • Focusing on proper form, placement, and execution
  • Building strength, coordination, and muscle memory
• Across-the-floor combinations
  • Moving through space while performing a series of steps or movements
  • Developing spatial awareness, directional changes, and transitions
  • Practicing dance combinations in a dynamic and continuous manner
• Partner work and lifts
  • Learning to dance in synchronization with a partner
  • Developing trust, communication, and physical connection
  • Practicing safe and effective lifting techniques
• Performance and improvisation exercises
  • Exploring movement qualities, intentions, and characterizations
  • Encouraging creativity and spontaneity in dance
  • Building confidence and stage presence

How This Fits into Musical Theater Performance

• Dance as a vital component of musical theater
  • Contributes to the overall artistic vision and aesthetic of a production
  • Enhances the emotional impact and entertainment value of a show
  • Showcases the versatility and skills of performers
• Integrating dance with other performance elements
  • Collaborating with directors, music directors, and designers to create a cohesive production
  • Adapting dance to the specific needs and constraints of each show (set design, costumes, props)
  • Ensuring that dance supports and enhances the overall storytelling and character development
• Preparing for a career in musical theater
  • Developing a well-rounded skill set that includes acting, singing, and dancing
  • Understanding the demands and expectations of the musical theater industry
  • Continuously training and refining dance techniques to stay competitive and adaptable
• Appreciating the historical and cultural significance of dance in musical theater
  • Recognizing the contributions of pioneering choreographers and performers
  • Understanding how dance has evolved and influenced the development of the genre
  • Celebrating the unique role of dance in creating meaningful and impactful musical theater experiences