Jerome Robbins

Question 1

Stylistic features

Answer 1

-Combination of a range of styles
-Emphasis on musicality
-Strong focus on character
-Culture exploration
-Pedestrianised movement
-Gestural movement-characterisation
-Bridged gap between classical ballet and theatricality of Broadway

Question 2

Techniques/styles/genres

Answer 2

-jazz
-ballet
-social dance (latin/ballroom)
-modern dance
-vernacular dance (what is relevant at the time)

Question 3

movement style

Answer 3

-jazz (syncopated rhythms, jazz slides, laybacks, pirouettes)
-social dance (ballroom hold, latin inspired action content)
-ballet-codified steps, positions of legs/arms e.g.arabesques/attitudes)
-modern- pedestrianised gestures

Question 4

key sections/works 1

Answer 4

West Side Story- Prologue, Dance at the Gym, America, Cool; reimagining of Romeo and Juliet that deals with issues of immigration, gang culture and racism.

Question 5

key sections/works 2

Answer 5

Fancy Free-Opening Dance, Scene at the bar, the competition, Finale-A ballet about 3 sailors who are on 24 hour leave from the Navy during WWII & their attempt to pick up women.

Question 6

key sections/works 3

Answer 6

fiddler on the roof (bottle dance), the concert.

Question 7

choreographic style(JR)

Answer 7

-themes linked to society/issues (sailors in WWII, immigration, racism, gang culture)
-real life, real people, real issues
-natural presentation
-interest in contemporary America (changes in American society and culture)
-stereotypes
-Culture and heritage
-strong female characters
-narrative driven

Question 8

influences 1

Answer 8

George Balanchine- asked Robbins to join his Ballet Theatre and New York City Ballet
-Senia Gluck Sandor- Robbins’ mentor; started dancing for Sandor.
-Antony Tudor- another mentor; Robbins performed in a number of his ballets
-Agnes de Mille- mentored Robbins and gave him his first role in one of her ballets
-Leonard Bernstein-worked together on collaborations including lots of Robbins’ music.

Question 9

Performance quality

Answer 9

“easy”, natural, pedestrianised, musicality

Question 10

contribution to AJD development

Answer 10

-distinctly American style that linked to American issues
-Blurring of lines between drama and dance
-Created the place for accelerating plot
-Redefined traditional Broadway chorus-looked for people who could sing, dance and act
-created the space to choreograph and direct
-wanted dancers to look natural and appear like real people (unpolished)