Cultural influences - cry

Question 1

structure of a expressive intention response?

Answer 1

• state what influenced the expressive intention of the work
• elaborate and give facts on the influence
• explain the E.I of the work and link it to the influence

Question 2

structure of a movement vocabulary response?

Answer 2

• state who influenced the M.V in the work
• give background of who and facts
• give example of M.V from the work as evidence
• link the phrase to the person and choreographer

Question 3

structure of a production aspect response?

Answer 3

• state who influenced the choreographers style
• give background and facts of the who
• highlight features in the work that relate to the influencers style

Question 4

structure of a form response?

Answer 4

• state the influence and state which form the work is
• elaborate and give historic facts of the influence that relate to the work
• give example of where the influence is found in the work and how that relates to the form of the work

Question 5

Lester Horton facts?

Answer 5

• was a black choreographer based in LA
• started working in the 1920’s and created the first multi - racial dance company
• he studied ballet, native American
• his style included bold and strong lines, wrapping and twisting
• he was innovative and dynamic and used multiple improvisational techniques whilst teaching

Question 6

Lester Horton and Alvin Ailey relationship?

Answer 6

• Alvin started training with him in 1950 in LA, which influenced his choreography seen in cry

Question 7

What is a phrase in cry the represents the influence of Lester Horton?

Answer 7

• the making the bed phrase in beginning section, specifically angular arm shape as it shows a strong twist in the waist

Question 8

Katherine Dunham facts?

Answer 8

• black choreographer during the 1930’s
• revolutionised American and modern dance as she blended Caribbean and African styles. This new movement expressed contrasting cultures and heritages
• founded the negro dance group
• known for stomping, head rolls and shimmying

Question 9

relationship between Katherine Dunham and Alvin Ailey?

Answer 9

• he was introduced to her from classes and performances of her works

Question 10

whats is a phrase that shows the influence of Katherine Dunham in cry?

Answer 10

• resolution section
• grande plie circles arm moves to front and to the side bent and in the elbow, touching the waist then she shimmys this is repeated with the other arm . both arms extend to the side and the dancer performs continuous head rolls

Question 11

expressive intention - Ailey’s upbringing

Answer 11

• african american culture
• the jim crow laws that allowed segregation
• Alvin was an only child to a young mother abandoned by father
• true vine baptist church for support
• blacks were constantly racially discriminated against
• thats why he chose to focus on a strong woman who fought through slavery and prejudice and ended up being victorious, she represents his mother

Question 12

expressive intention - social and political climate

Answer 12

• many historic events in 1960’s and 70’s that influenced choreographers
• cry was perfromed after the CRA passed in 1971 which caused him to reflect upon the events passed
• martin luther kings assassination 1966
• founding of black panthers 1966
• CRA past in 1964 by president Lydon B Johnson
• alvin chose to focus on something that affected his family

Question 13

production aspects - martha graham

Answer 13

• minimalistic props, makeup and props
• martha’s career was in the 20’s and 30’s so had little resources as she was woring in the great depression
• she was a mentor in alvins career, seen through his production aspects

Question 14

production aspects - the nature of the subject matter

Answer 14

• the subject matter was the narrative of each section eg. slavery, prejudice, triumph
• Alvin always looked to these matters as inspiration
• white costume contrast to the dark skin
• scarf which represents oppression
• lighting changes and mirrors the narrative

Question 15

form - the nature of the subject matter

Answer 15

• the progression of one historical event to the other which reflects on the narrative form
• the nature of the subject matter is mirrored in cry
• as the historic events the phrases in the dance were formed to mirror them showing a narrative form in cry following the structure of ABC

Question 16

form - african american musical traditions

Answer 16

• music was a way of entertainment for their culture
• slaves were forced to learn christian songs, which was the faith of the white people
• the slaves appropriated them for their own purposes, evolved into gospel music
• three pieces of music in cry , contemporary, blues then traditional gospel which all progresses
• the movement matches the song and matches the E.I
• song and movement builds together to a climax to form ABC