Independant Contemporary Dance Scene

Question 1

Social Historical Context

Answer 1

60s- more liberal british culture
Pop music e.g beatles and rolling stones & art e.g andy warhol (NEW IDEAS OF STYLE)
A time of economic expansion in gb: more money for clothes, music & theatre. More projects could g ahead.

Question 2

Origins of new dance

Answer 2

1963: Theresa Early ‘ballet makers’ helped dancers establish themselves independently from companies
1967: LCDT in formative stages

Question 3

the influence of THE PLACE

Answer 3

Where LSCD started out
original energy for british modern dance and new dance here
variety of styles taught inc. cunningham
early students had creative freedom

Question 4

Richard Alston & Strider

Answer 4

Joined LSCD in 67
Liked the freedom
Wanted to take more risks in his work, although more free LSCD didn’t want this as they wanted to appeal to audiences
He took 3 dancers and formed strider

Question 5

Strider

Answer 5

Unusual Venues
Some works more performance than dance
Release and Contact Improv

Question 6

X6 Collective

Answer 6

Gave help to people that are no longer protected by institutions e.g the place
Found spaces that were cheap and warm enough to dance
Classes held were non-competitive and encouraged dancers to develop their own personal style
Range of techniques e.g cunningham, t’ai chi, gymnastics etc

Question 7

Philosophies new dance was built upon

Answer 7

• All dance forms should be treated as seriously as ballet
• Choreographers should be free to work outside of companies and create what they want
• Dance is not just highly specialised, anyone should be encouraged
• Dance should think about and make statements about society, not be divorced from the real world
• Dancers and Choreographers should be given equal funding and status