Dance as Narrative: The Border

Unit: Narrative

Theme: The Mexico/USA Border

 

I

Introduction

Every semester the Improvisation class chooses a significant social event to create an improv dance. Fall 2024 has had already an abundant array of events that can inform the creative dancer. Today we will address the situation in the border between Mexico and the US. as a piece of narrative. Bellow you will see the elements of plot while the link shows the narrative arc.


II 

Learning Objectives

 

  • Understand the connection between narrative and movement
  • Explain the creative process involved in dancing using the border situation
  • Gain awareness of the use of movement when embodying a narrative
  • Experience ensemble movement when creating a dance improvisation
  • Reflect on the creative process at the end of the process

 

III


Warm Up 


 Stretching

 


 IV
 
Main Lesson



 1
 
Narrative in Dance Improvisation
 
Read the Link:


Question 1

What is the meaning of extemporization and how does the concept apply to dance?

 

Question 2

Why is improvisation important to the arts?

 


 
2
 
 
  ELEMENTS OF A PLOT
  • Exposition/introduction.
  •  
  •  Conflict
  •  
  • Rising action.
  •  
  • Climax/turning point.
  •  
  • Falling action.
  •  
  • Resolution/denouement.
 
Question 3

Explain the meaning of each one of the elements of a plot. 
 
 
3

PLOT ARC
 
 



Question:.

Match every element of the plot with the events that gave rise to the situation in Afghanistan.

------------------------------


V
 
A Note to Remember
 
 Improvisation overthrows the hierarchical practices as it endorses open forms.

 
VI 
 
Case Study 

 
 
 
VII
 
Activity 

CREATING A SCORE: Beginning, Middle & End

Based on the movement you create for each one of the elements of the situation in the Mexico/USA border, create a score; which is a drawing of the main movements that represent the dance. Divide it in three parts: beginning, middle and end.

 
VIII
 
Glossary
 
extemporization: compose, perform, or produce something such as music or a speech without preparation; improvise.
 

 IX
 
Sources
 
Improvisation in Dance. The Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism. https://www.jstor.org/stable/432097

Garcia, Uriel, J. (2024). In Eagle Pass, a tense border standoff between Texas and the federal government is reaching a crescendo. The Texas Tribune. https://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/22/texas-border-patrol-immigration-enforcement-eagle-pass-park/

 X
 
Students' Work
 
 
Record and Post your work on Discussion Board

I. Make Up Work

Celeste Pongratz

What is the meaning of extemporization and how does the concept apply to dance?

Extemporization in dance refers to the spontaneous creation and execution of movements without pre-planned choreography, allowing dancers to express themselves in the moment based on feelings, the surrounding environment, and interactions with others. This improvisational approach emphasizes personal expression, creativity, and a deep connection between the dancer's body, space, and audience, leading to unique and unrepeatable performances. It requires dancers to possess a strong understanding of their physical capabilities and a keen awareness of their surroundings, making dance a dynamic and engaging form of live art that thrives on unpredictability and real time communication.

Why is improvisation important to the arts?

Improvisation is crucial to the arts because it fosters creativity, spontaneity, and innovation, allowing artists to explore new ideas and express themselves freely without constraints. It encourages risk taking and adaptability, leading to unique work. By improvising, artists can engage more deeply with their medium, react to the present moment, and create a direct, dynamic connection with their audience. This makes improvisation a vital tool for artistic growth, discovery, and the continuous evolution of artistic forms.

Explain the meaning of each one of the elements of a plot. 

Exposition/Introduction: Sets the scene by introducing characters, setting, and basic situation, providing necessary background information.

Conflict: The central problem or challenge that the protagonist faces, driving the narrative forward.

Rising Action: A series of events that build tension and complicate the conflict, leading up to the climax.

Climax/Turning Point: The moment of greatest tension where the main conflict reaches its peak, often determining the outcome of the story.

Falling Action: Events that follow the climax, leading towards resolution, where conflicts begin to resolve.

Resolution/Denouement: The conclusion of the story where loose ends are tied up, conflicts are resolved, and the story comes to a satisfying end.

 

 
Oriana Davila
dance as narrative
 
  • What is the meaning of extemporization and how does the concept apply to dance?

Extemporization in dance is the spontaneous conception and execution of movements without pre-planned choreography, allowing dancers to express themselves in the moment depending on feelings, their surroundings, and interactions with others. This improvisational method stresses personal expression, originality, and a strong connection between the dancer's body, space, and audience, resulting in one-of-a-kind and unforgettable performances. Dancers must have a good grasp of their physical skills as well as a great awareness of their surroundings, resulting in a dynamic and entertaining style of live performance that lives on unpredictability and real-time communication.

 

  • Why is improvisation important to the arts? 

Improvisation improves one's creativity, mental flexibility, and cognitive abilities in a variety of ways. Benefits: Improvisation enhances one's Imagination and the capacity to create fresh concepts. Spontaneity and the capacity to deliver without prior knowledge.

 

Explain the meaning of each one of the elements of a plot. 

 

Exposition/Introduction: Establishes the scene by presenting people, place, and fundamental scenario while also providing vital background information.

 

Conflict: The fundamental problem or difficulty that the protagonist encounters, which propels the story forward.

 

Rising Action: A succession of events that increase tension and complicate the struggle before the climax.

 

Climax/Turning Point: The point of maximum tension when the primary conflict reaches its pinnacle, which frequently determines the story's fate.

 

Falling Action: Events that occur after the climax and lead to resolution, as tensions begin to settle.

 

Resolution/Denouement: The point at which all loose ends are tied, conflicts are resolved, and the tale comes to a satisfactory close.

 

  • How I feel after stretching? 

Stretching for me is a really good part of the exercise since it brings everything together, I feel calm and relaxed, it like my body is asking to do thus more often. 



 
 
Tomi Frame
 

what is the meaning of extemporization and how does the concept apply to dance
Extemporization in dance refers to the "spontaneous creation and execution of movements without pre-planned choreography, allowing dancers to express themselves in the moment based on feelings, the surrounding environment, and interactions with others." The concept shows personal expression and creativity, I

why is improvisation important to the arts
Improvisation is crucial to the arts because it shows creativity. You can be yourself and come upw oth new ideas freely without any restrictions. You take risks but learn to adapt accordingly. 


define the meaning of each one of the elements of a plot 

Falling Action: Events that follow the climax, leading towards resolution, where conflicts begin to resolve.

Conflict: The central problem or challenge that the protagonist faces, driving the narrative forward.

Rising Action: A series of events that build tension and complicate the conflict, leading up to the climax.

Exposition/Introduction: Sets the scene by introducing characters, setting, and basic situation, providing necessary background information.

Climax/Turning Point: The moment of greatest tension where the main conflict reaches its peak, often determining the outcome of the story.

Resolution/Denouement: The conclusion of the story where loose ends are tied up, conflicts are resolved, and the story comes to a satisfying end.

 

Delaney Brown

1. Meaning of extemporization and how does the concept apply to dance?

Extemporization refers to the act of improvising, that is, performing or creating something spontaneously or without any preparation. It onvolves coming up with ideas and expressions on the spot, often guided by one's current emotions, the surronding environment, or other immediate influences. 


2. Why is improvisation important to the arts?

Improvisation is crucial in the arts for its ability to foster creative freedom, allowing artists to explore and expand the boundaries of their craft without predefined constraints. It keeps performances fresh and dynamic, making each presentation unique and engaging for audiences. This spontaneiity promotes real-time interaction among performers and with the audience, enhancing the emotional resonance of the experience. Practicing improvisation also develops essential skills like quick thinking and adaptability, and can drive innovation by encouraging new techniques and expressions. 


3. Explain the meaning of each one of the elements of a plot

Exposition: introduces the major characters, setting, and mood, setting the stage for the narrative to unfold

conflict: the main problem or obstacle that the protagonist must overcome, serving as the driving force of the narrative

rising action: it encompasses the events and complications that intensify the central conflict, develop characters, and build suspense, forming the bulk of the story's middle

climax: is the peak of the story's tension and conflict, where the main character faces a pivotal turning point or resolution, marking the conclusion of the middle part of the narrative

falling action: includes events after the climax that resolve the story's conflicts and questions, decreasing tension as the narrative approaches its conclusion

resolution: concludes the story by resolving conflicts and answering key questions, though it may also leave some issues unresolved or set up a sequel

 

 

II. How I feel after stretching?
 
Nadia Chan

I feel the energy from the centre of my body spread out all the way to the tip of my fingers, head, and toes. as we sit alot during class, i feel this loosens the stiffness that is very static. i feel energized.

 Adaria Fennoy
 
Throughout the entire warmup, I felt very calm and intune. I was breathing throughout each stretch and it made it feel even better. Since this was my second class, I really started to get the sequence of stretches down so that they could flow through my body. I heavily enjoyed warmup today because it made me even more calm than I was at the start of class. 
 
Alejandra Hernandez

After warming up I felt very calm and relaxed. I have been feeling this sharp pain on my left back side and after the warm up I felt that side more relieved and less tense. I also realized that I have a very tense upper body as opposed to my lower body, where I aim on making my up flexibility better.

 Emma Tishler

I really enjoy our stretching time at the beginning of class. At the beginning I feel stiff and cold but by the end I feel focused and warmed up. The repetition of breathing techniques is comforting.
 
Carlos Santos Ortiz
 Enrique
 
 I feel rejuvenated. My body is stretched, warmed up, and relaxed.
 
Jordyn Solages

After doing our in class warm up, I feel a lot more stretched. I can feel my body and muscles stretching out and becoming more flexible. Stretching also relaxes me and makes me feel more centered. I also feel like the exercises are helping me to be more balanced.

 Xuanrui Peng

 In today's class, first we did a warm-up. By doing these warm-up exercises, I felt very relaxed.I really enjoyed this part of each lesson. After that, we were divided into 5 groups for rehearsal and dance presentation. I like it very much.

 

 III. Improv Work 
 

 Shayla, Gabie, Jordyn, Danielle, Savannah

 

Yiyun, Jingjing, Alejandra, Xuanrui, Lauren, Adaria


 
AJ, Meng, Tusca, Gianna, Claire

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