Grade 8 Q3

Pre Unit

Don’t forget to print off the Q3 Task Sheet and Checklist 🙂

Grade 8 Unit Plan 3

Grade 8 U3 Task Sheet and Checklist

This unit we are focusing on one Key Dance Study: Swansong. Choreographed by Christopher Bruce.

The idea behind the whole dance and each section is a victim being tortured in various ways by two interrogators. These are seen as a prisoner and two guards.

For the next 7 weeks you will learn choreography for one set dance piece. We will deconstruct the seven sections of the dance (One each week). Please print off the poster below as it will help you over the weeks.

Swansong Support Poster G8 Unit 3

Here is a short clip of the dance piece

Have a look at the interesting starting points (stimulus) behind the dance

Swansong Starting Points

Lesson 1

Keyword: Deconstruct – To break down. How do you think we will do this for a 32 minute dance?

Do you know what the starting points (stimulus) were for Swansong?

Introduction and Section 1: Questions and answers

This section starts with the prisoner. The key action for the prisoner is STILLNESS.

Swansong G8 U3

The interrogators tap questions out and no response is made by the victim. They pull, push and lift the victim from the chair and put him back again. They use different attacking gestures.

Performance and choreographic styles:

  • tap dance
  • contemporary
  • mime
  • contact work

Choreographic devices

  • Unison – In this section the interrogators dance the motif in unison.
  • Canon – In the introduction the interrogators enter in canon and repeat short tapping phrases in canon in section 1.
  • Repetition – The tapping motif is repeated in sections 1 and 2.

Use of the dancers

  • The two interrogators follow one another onto the stage. The prisoner is still, sitting on the chair facing the front. They tap dance either side of him.
  • The two interrogators physically grip and manipulate the victim between, below, above and around them.
  • The victim has short solo phrases as answers to the questions from his ‘guards’. He travels briefly away from them.

Task: Prescribed choreography for section 1 (Trio).

Do you have any questions for the Christopher Bruce about the choreography?

How does art help us to learn about other people? Think about the starting points for this choreography.

Checklist:

A2 – Deconstructing (S1).

MAKE YOUR OWN TAP SHOES!

Check out the following link: http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Tap-Shoes-Quick-and-Simple

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Lesson 2

Keyword: Variation – When a motif is changed spatially. dynamically or performed in a different order.

Back to BASTE… quick reference to last quarter: What does BASTE stand for?

Section 2: Tea for two

This section the interrogators are humiliating the victim, who seems to panic. The chair is moved constant and the interrogation becomes more intense.

Performance and choreographic styles:

  • soft shoe
  • tango
  • contact work
  • tap dance
  • contemporary
  • mime

Choreographic devices

  • Unison – All three dancers perform a soft show, catchy motif with a humorous feel, and the victim dances a short tango with one interrogator.
  • Canon – In the opening this section the victim taps out his motif as an answer to the interrogators.
  • Highlights – The victim is sitting down and a red nose is slowly placed on him.
  • Repetition – The tapping motif is repeated in sections 1 and 2.

Use of the dancers

  • The duet is danced by the interrogators while the victim watches from his chair.
  • The victim dances with one interrogator.
  • All three dance in unison.
  • Two interrogators attack the victim.
  • The victim is left on the stage alone.

Task: Prescribed choreography for section 2 (Trio).

Are there any recurring movements?

Is the chair just a chair?

Checklist

A1 – Critiquing (Variation).

A2 – Deconstructing (S1/S2).

A3 – The chair is not just a chair. (Suggestions).

C3 – Improvising the 32 count phrase.

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Lesson 3

Ms Rathi will now be taking over your classes 🙂 She is a fantastic new member of our Dance team please see the new blog you should follow for all information for your lessons:

 https://fairviewdance.wordpress.com

 Please complete this worksheet for next lesson: Grade 8 Swansong Quiz Sheet

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