dance sac

Question 1

How does the formal structure assist in communicating intention?

Answer 1

The formal structure of the piece is a narrative with four sections. The overall intention for the entire piece is to introduce the rival gangs of the jets and sharks, fighting over the territory of nyc to the audience

Question 2

intention for section A

Answer 2

The intention for section A is the introduction of the jets, asserting dominance over civilians. Near the end of section A it transitions to the sharks and the confrontation with bernardo, the head of the sharks.

Question 3

intention for section B

Answer 3

For section B, the overall intention is the introduction of the sharks. They roam around the streets of nyc the same way the jets did, and also send up in another confrontation with the jets at the end of section B.

Question 4

intention for section C

Answer 4

The section C intention is the jets celebrating their ‘win’, as they think they won the turf over the sharks

Question 5

intention for section D

Answer 5

the intention for section D determines the battle of the two gangs being set out on the basketball court. It finishes with police breaking up the fight

Question 6

How is cannon used to communicate intention 1/2

Answer 6

Middle of section A the dancers are walking down the street clicking, then one dancer steps out to the side and spreads his hands out to the side, eyes looking around him, then continues walking. The other dancers then repeat the same movement in cannon. 1,2 or 3 at a time.

The cannon shows that the dancers are taking it turns to check out the street for trouble, they are each looking out for each other

Question 7

How is cannon used to communicate intention 2/2

Answer 7

Cannon is also seen in section B when the sharks are travelling down the street with bernardo in the front, doing 2 gallops and the 3 point turn repeated into a step kick lunge then pivot into a reaching gesture, then punch in cannon (with bernardo starting it)

The punch in cannon shows that they will follow whatever bernardo does, and will fight whoever bernardo fights

Question 7

How is contrast used to communicate intention 1/2

Answer 7

Contrast is seen in Section A, when Riff is walking and clicking while the Jets are all dancing behind him doing a reverse fan kick and a develop to the side, step knock step knock gallop.

This contrast between the Jets and Riff shows Riff is the leader and can do what he wants while the others are his lackey following behind doing the heavy lifting

Question 8

How is contrast used to communicate intention 2/2

Answer 8

Contrast is again seen In section A, when the Jets play mock basketball. one dancer bounces the ball, two dancers jump up together in contrast while a third dancer does a plie in front with his arms in 2nd

This use of contrasting movement vocabulary simulates them playing basketball as each are playing different positions in the game. The people jumping could be asking for the ball while the person in plie could be defending

Question 9

How is asymmetry used to communicate intention 1/2

Answer 9

In section A, there is 1 person that’s standing in front of the jets, which creates an uneven spacing with all the jets on the right, and the outsider in the left showing the jet’s power

This example of asymmetry links back to the intention as the uneven spacing shows how the lonely civilian is not welcome, and the group is intimidating him by being all together

Question 10

How is asymmetry used to communicate intention 2/2

Answer 10

Asymmetry is also spotted at the end of section B, when three sharks bunched together have their hands out, hunched over, while two jets are standing in front of them, as one of them is holding an apple.

The intention for this example of asymmetry is that the sharks have just caught the jets, and they cant run from them as its 3 sharks over 2 jets

Question 11

How is symmetry used to communicate intention 1/2

Answer 11

In the end of section A, 2 jets stand behind Benardo (the leader of the sharks) in a triangle shape, symmetrical formation

This use of symmetry creates is an intimidation technique as the two jets are following and harassing him and standing either side, creating a sense of no escape.

Question 12

How is symmetry used to communicate intention 2/2

Answer 12

Symmetry is also seen in section B when Bernardo and the sharks are dancing down the road, in a pyramid/triangle shape down the middle, creating a symmetrical formation.

This use of symmetry shows the close vicinity of the sharks, especially between these three members.

Question 13

How is unison used to communicate intention 1/2

Answer 13

At the very beginning of section a, the jets are bunched up together, laying back on a basketball court fence, clicking in unison.

This links to the intention as the unison clicking shows jets are a one unit gang, and are friends

Question 14

How is unison used to communicate intention 2/2

Answer 14

In section B, bernardo and two sharks are galloping with their arms in a running motion down the street in unison.

This links to the intention as the unison shows the talents of the sharks, being able to dance together

Question 15

How does the choreographer manipulate time, and link it to the intention? use 2 examples of time.

Answer 15

Time is seen in the beginning of section A when the jets are all clicking with an even rhythm, in unison. while they are frozen with the rest of their body in a moment of pause as a ball is thrown upon them

The intention for the even rhythm, is it creates a sense of suspense and menace on what they are going to do next all together, as a gang. And the intention for the pause shows them being interrupted by an ‘outsider’, also creating a suspense on what the gang is going to do next

Question 16

How does the choreographer manipulate energy, and link it to the intention? use 2 examples of energy.

Answer 16

During section A, the use of energy is exemplified when the dancers are walking down the street clicking percussively, then one dancer does ronde de jambe to the side, suspending one leg out before it reaches 2nd position and spreads his hands out to the side, to continue walking.

The percussive street clicking links back to the menacing suspense, as they are collectively clicking to create that underscoring effect. The suspended rand de jambe shows they are slowly checking the streets for sharks, as it matches their slow gaze as they are searching.

Question 16

How does the choreographer manipulate space, and link it to the intention? use 2 examples of space.

Answer 16

In section D, Space is shown when one jet and one shark are left standing alone on the basketball court. The shark bends low on a medium level, swinging his foot to the side, the jet goes from a high to low level as he trips over the leg, leading them to turn to each other and focus on another.

Their use of levels demonstrate that they are fighting and battling out high levels indicate power where as the low level indicates defeat. of anger. the intention of internal focus to each other shows that its game on, and are facing off, preparing for a possible fight

Question 17

Describe the use of repetition in West Side story

Answer 17

Repetition is presented in section B, when Bernardo and the sharks do a bend over bow, and signal a hand to the jets to pass them, continuing to go on their way. Then the more jets appear and the sharks are now outnumbers, the Jets then repeat the same same bend over bow.

The intention of this action mockery of a gentleman signaling they are safe to pass but not really . the repetition shows how the tables have turned within the groups and how the powers have shifted between both gangs

Question 18

Describe the use of movement categories in 3 movement phrases 2/3

Answer 18

In section C, the jets are travelling down the street in dance, doing a gallop to the side, step x2 then doing a form of elevation by jumping in the air, and falling back down gently, galloping two times and doing a single turn before doing two more gallops while clicking, and finishing in stillness, looking to the sharks and gesture reaching forwards to them

Question 18

Describe the use of motif in West Side story

Answer 18

Motif is illustrated through clicking, as it creates a feeling of trouble - something bad may happen. This is illustrated by the Jets in Section A a the beginning when they are on the basketball court leaning against the fence, then walking across the court.

then repeated In section B when the clicking starts with Benardo, and is joined by two other sharks as they flee from the jets.

the clicking is then finally repeated In section D and the jets again in the alley way when they are crouching slow searching for the sharks

the intention of clicking in all of these phrases presents inquisity to the audience, wondering what the gangs will do after the clicking

Question 19

Describe the use of movement categories in 3 movement phrases 1/3

Answer 19

In section A, travelling is seen when the jets are walking around the basketball court, clicking and then start to play mock basketball. during their basketball game, one dancer bounces the ball and creates elevation when two dancers jump up in unison.

later on, one dancer steps out to the side and spreads his hands out to the side in a sweeping gesture, as the other leg follows the hand and falls back down gently. They proceed to dance along the street as they come across a ‘jets’ logo on the road, and they interpret turning when they do a jump turn with their arms above their head to the camera, then a chase chain turn to the side, into a moment of stillness when they finish in a plie, looking upwards to bernardo in front of them

Question 20

Describe the Impact Westside story has had upon the arts, society and or other choreographers

Answer 20

West side story has had an impact on multiple choreographers including Ewan Jones - the choreographer for bring it on: the musical (west end version) during the song ‘its all happening’ there is a section of choreography where the dancers are performing basketball choreography. This is a direct correlation between west side story prologue’s basketball choreography and the ‘its all happening’ number as they are both doing mock basketball.

Question 21

Describe the use of movement categories in 3 movement phrases 3/3

Answer 21

Throughout section B, gesture is immediately seen when bernardo bangs the brick wall out of anger. After that, two sharks come up and start travelling down the street by doing an elevated step, into a turn. They then break into dance as they do a kick, and let the leg fall down, to continue to punch the sides, turn around and punch again, and then run to stop abruptly, in a moment of stillness.

Question 22

Describe the Impact Westside story has had upon the arts and/or society

Answer 22

West side story has affected many Art forms including film and broadway shows. Within these artforms the controversial casting has been an issue that has changed overtime due to the changes in society. In the 1980 broadway revival theatre show directed by jerome robbins, puerto rican actress jossie de guzman who played maria, had to wear browner makeup in order to appear ‘latin’ then, in the 2009 revival directed by laurents, they moved away from brown makeup as a signal of ethnicity, to casting latin american actors attempting to integrate spanish into all of the sharks dialogue and songs.

Question 23

Describe the influence upon costume

Answer 23

the jets are in blue denim, and Acid dyes were used to stress the fabric to make them look ‘worn’ . They are in vests, and soft baseball jackets with cool tones T shirts, Polo Shirts and crew necked jumpers.
Back then, Denim is a trademark material of the white working class. Influences came from casual teenagers from that era and sporting culture
The intention for their costuming choice for the jets were to show their class, as jets. And just have a casual style of attire

Question 24

Describe the influence upon set

Answer 24

West Side story was filmed at two different Manhattan, New York locations. 1 of them was the basketball court on a street which served as the backdrop for the introduction of the two gangs. And the second place was just a street in san juan which is where the gangs would roam around
The time period of which it was set - captures the real streets of New York providing context to the audience
the intention for the set of these streets shows the traditional games / hang out spots for teenagers at the time in which west side story was set