key terminology

Question 1

what is aural setting

Answer 1

An audible accompaniment to the dance such as music, words, song and natural sound (or silence).

Question 2

what is canon?

Answer 2

When the same movements overlap in time.

Question 3

what is choreographic approach?

Answer 3

The way in which a choreographer makes the dance.

Question 4

what are choreographic devices?

Answer 4

Methods used to develop and vary material.

Question 5

what is the choreographic intention?

Answer 5

The aim of the dance; what the choreographer aims to communicate

Question 6

what is the choreographic process?

Answer 6

Activities involved in creating dance such as improvisation, selection and development.

Question 7

what is the climax?

Answer 7

The most significant moment of the dance.

Question 8

what is counterpoint?

Answer 8

When dancers perform different phrases simultaneously.

Question 9

What is extension?

Answer 9

Lengthening one or more muscles or limbs.

Question 10

what is flexibility?

Answer 10

The range of movement in the joints (involving muscles, tendons and ligaments).

Question 11

what is focus?

Answer 11

Use of the eyes to enhance performance or interpretative qualities.

Question 12

what are highlights?

Answer 12

Important moments of a dance.

Question 13

what is fragmentation?

Answer 13

Use of parts of a phrase or motif.

Question 14

what are expressive skills?

Answer 14

Aspects that contribute to performance artistry and that engage the audience, such as focus and musicality

Question 15

what is elevation?

Answer 15

The action of ‘going up’ without support, such as in a jump.

Question 16

what are elements of a dance?

Answer 16

Actions, space, dynamics and relationships

Question 17

what is development?

Answer 17

The way in which movement material is manipulated.

Question 18

what is declaration?

Answer 18

Slowing down the movement.

Question 19

what is dancewear?

Answer 19

What the dancer wears for class and rehearsal.

Question 20

what is coordination?

Answer 20

The efficient combination of body parts.

Question 21

what is contrast?

Answer 21

Movements or shapes that have nothing in common.

Question 22

what are constituent features?

Answer 22

Characteristics of choreography such as style, stimulus, subject matter, number/gender of dancers, action content, choreographic principles, form and structure, physical and aural settings.

Question 23

what is complementary?

Answer 23

Perform actions or shapes that are similar to but not exactly the same as another dancer’s.

Question 24

what is balance?

Answer 24

A steady or held position achieved by an even distribution of weight.

Question 25

what is binary?

Answer 25

A composition in two parts or sections.

Question 26

what is control?

Answer 26

The ability to start and stop movement, change direction and hold a shape efficiently.

Question 27

what is critical appreciation?

Answer 27

Evaluation of dance based upon knowledge and understanding, including original insights.

Question 28

what is end-stage?

Answer 28

A performance space with the audience on one side; also known as ‘end-on’.

Question 29

what is execution?

Answer 29

Carrying out actions with the required intention.

Question 30

what are facial expressions?

Answer 30

Use of the face to show mood, feeling or character.

Question 31

what is form?

Answer 31

The overall shape and structure of a dance.

Question 32

what is improvisation?

Answer 32

Exploration or generation of movements without planning.

Question 33

what is intention?

Answer 33

Aim or desired outcome.

Question 34

what is interpretation?

Answer 34

Finding the meaning that is in the movement or finding the movement that is in the idea.

Question 35

what are levels?

Answer 35

Distance from the ground: low, medium or high.

Question 36

what is lighting?

Answer 36

The illumination of the performance area.

Question 37

what is mobility?

Answer 37

The range of movement in a joint; the ability to move fluently from action to action.

Question 38

what is a motif?

Answer 38

A movement phrase encapsulating an idea that is repeated and developed throughout the dance.

Question 39

what is motif development?

Answer 39

Ways in which a movement phrase can be varied.

Question 40

what is musicality?

Answer 40

The ability to make the unique qualities of the accompaniment evident in performance.

Question 41

what is a narrative?

Answer 41

Dance that tells a story.

Question 42

what are pathways?

Answer 42

Designs traced in space (on the floor or in the air).

Question 43

what is a phrase?

Answer 43

A short sequence of linked movements.

Question 44

what is phrasing?

Answer 44

The way in which the energy is distributed in the execution of a movement phrase.

Question 45

what are physical skills?

Answer 45

Aspects enabling effective performance such as posture, alignment, balance, coordination, control, flexibility, mobility, strength, stamina, extension and isolation.

Question 46

what is posture?

Answer 46

The way the body is held.

Question 47

what is projection?

Answer 47

The energy the dancer uses to connect with and draw in the audience.

Question 48

what is a prop?

Answer 48

A portable object that is used in a dance, for example a suitcase.

Question 49

what is a proscenium?

Answer 49

The arch or opening that creates the effect of a picture frame and separates the stage from the auditorium.

Question 50

what are relationships?

Answer 50

The ways in which dancers interact; the connections between dancers.

Question 51

what is repetition?

Answer 51

Performing the same action or phrase again.

Question 52

what is retrograde?

Answer 52

Reversing a movement phrase.