Dance of Emotions

 

Unit: The Body

Theme: Emotions

 

I

Introduction

Emotions can be expressed in dance improv. The dancer can get in touch with his/her emotions to generate gestures and movements that combined can become phrases.  The idea is that the dancer can make use of the stereotypical was of expressing emotions as well as more authentic movements. Because this class encourages the cultivation of the inside-out dancer, the goal is to find expressions that truly express the dancer's emotions.

II 

Learning Objectives

 

• Understand the connection between body and emotions
  
• Explain the creative process involved in the expression of emotions
• Gain awareness of the use of movement to transition from the word to the emotion
  
• Experience ensemble movement when integrating all the emotions
• Reflect on the creative process at the end of the process
  

 

III

Warm Up

 Stretching

 

IV 

Main Lesson

 

 1

Sesame Street: Emotions through Dance with Alvin Ailey Dance Theater

 Question 1

What was you impression about the way these dancers express emotions through dance? Explain

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2

Book:

https://www.google.com/books/edition/Taken_by_Surprise/OYbHhwUpxAMC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Dance+Improvisation&printsec=frontcover

 

Book Link:

Taken by Surprise: A Dance Improvisation Reader

By  Ann Cooper Albright, ‎David Gere

 

A dancer and a scholar, Ann Cooper Albright is Professor and Chair of the Department of Dance at Oberlin College. Originally an undergraduate philosophy major at Bryn Mawr College, she received her MFA in Dance from Temple University and a PhD in Performance Studies from New York University.

 

David Gere, Ph.D., is the founding director of the UCLA Art & Global Health Center and is a professor in the UCLA Department of World Arts and Cultures/Dance, where he teaches courses in arts activism. His extensive writing and global curatorial projects address arts-based public health interventions and projects. Art & Global Health Center programs operate across five continents and engage and encourage local artist communities to take on public health issues in accessible and entertaining ways.

 

Question 2

After reading the Introduction to the book, what would improvisation mean to you?

 

 

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  V

 

Activity

Dance the following emotions

1. Vanity

2. Surprise

3. Greed

4. Sadness

5. Hate 

6. Happiness

7. Fear

8. Love 

 

Question 3

 

In which way do emotions relate to improvisation as explained the introduction of Taken by Surprise?

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VI

Writing Activity

 

Write a one paragraph reflection about your experience in class today in terms of movement and reading about dance improvisation. 

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VII

 Journaling

 

VIII

Glossary

 

IX

Sources

 

X

Students' Work 

 1

Sofia Kauderer

emotions

What was your impression about the way these dancers’ express emotions through dance? Explain

I feel as if these dancer’s movements and details, as well as the reptition, really translated what they wanted the viewer to see. Something emotional, beautiful, and artistic. 

After reading the Introduction to the book, what would improvisation mean to you?

After reading the intro to the book, improvisation signifies many things, even things you wouldnt necessarily think about such as performance studies and arts activism. 

In which way do emotions relate to improvisation as explained in the introduction of Taken by Surprise?

In the intro, the emotions are clearly fundamental when it comes to improvisation. This is how you freely express yourself and that is the true definition of improvisation.

2

Oriana Davila

 

1. What was your impression about the way these dancers’ express emotions through dance? Explain

I feel that if you really pay attention to the movements and details, they put into the dance you can really feel and see what they’re trying to show. Repetition is also a form of trying to see and understand what they want to tell us.

1. After reading the Introduction to the book, what would improvisation mean to you?

After reading the introduction to the book, improvisation would signify more than just spontaneous movement. It would involve understanding its intersections with philosophy, performance studies, arts activism, and public health. It's seen as a multidimensional practice with implications for expression, social change, and community engagement.

1. In which way do emotions relate to improvisation as explained in the introduction of Taken by Surprise?

In the introduction of "Taken by Surprise," emotions are highlighted as fundamental to improvisation. They drive spontaneous responses and movements, adding depth and authenticity to the performance. Improvisation provides a platform for freely expressing emotions through movement, making them integral to the improvisational process.