1. Improvisation and tool box
Choreography
Improvisation and tool box

2. Improvisation
Improvisation is a process of producing spontaneous movements as a result of stimuli.
Stimuli can be: ideas, images, music, words, poetry, stories , photographs, artwork, places.
Why do we improv? Choreography ideas, develops personal style, gets one “out of the box,” expands movement range

3. Phrase Smallest simplest unit of form
Has a clear beginning, middle, and end
A phrase is to dance what is a sentence is to a book.
Has intention and meaning
High Point: something within the phrase that is of interest to the audience (example: stronger, bigger, faster, stillness, a moment)

4. Phrase vs. Class combo.
Phrase has meaning and intention but is usually geared to the “art” of the dance
Class combo. is created for students by a teacher working on a particular technique. Prepared in an academic way.

5. Tool Box
Canon – all dancers doing the same movement but at different times
Theme – a sequence of movement that are recognizable, established as the dance unfolds, established through repetition and contrast. Its defined strictly by a series of movement.
Accumulation – adding on to (example: plie, plie tendu, plie tendu saute)

6. Juxtaposition – large group dancing in unison with a smaller or individual doing something different.
Motif – the movement or movements that an audience will remember to be the “characteristic” of your piece. (example: poking hands)
Contrast – diversity of color, emotion, or tone. Intensifies the experiences. Keeps the dance from being monotonous by changing the speed, level, direction, quality, ect.

7. Transition – what happens between the sets of movement, helps the dance become seamless.
Retrograde – to rewind the movement
Reverse – reverse the movement in some way, a different direction.
Repetition – repeating movement to emphasize it. It can be a sequence, phrase, floor pattern, or gesture.

8. Variation – Starts with a theme and “highlights” different parts of the theme. (example: AB, ABA, ABACAD) To repeat the movement with some changes
Unison – All dancers doing the same movement at the same time.
Audience – Don’t forget them! Ask yourself questions…It is important for your audience to be touched/inspired? Do they really have to understand the movement and meaning? Do they have to “get it?”