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In the Classroom

Movement Vocabulary

Look at the film clips:

Identify the Basic Ballet Steps
Pas de deux: dance for 2 dancers usually a male and a female Bourees: tiny rapid steps performed by female dancers while on pointe, giving the illusion of floating above ground Arabesque: one leg is stretched behind the body either on the ground or in the air at 90 degrees or higher Saute: a jump from 2 feet to 2 feet, a turn can be added tour en l’air with 1, 2 or 3 revolutions

WHAT OTHER BALLET STEPS CAN YOU IDENTIFY?

REFERENCE:

50 YEARS ON THEIR TOES - Royal New Zealand Ballet   VIDEO $30.00

A behind the scenes look at the RNZB in preparation for their 2003 production of Romeo and Juliet. Appropriate for middle primary to year 13 students. (45 minutes)

AVAILABLE FROM DANZ
Order at: http://www.danz.org.nz/education-resources.php

PRACTICAL DANCE ACTIVITIES

Film clip:

In Act 1 scene 1 of the ballet, tension between the rival families boils over into a street brawl.

  • What types of actions are used to provoke a fight?
  • Discuss the concept of ACTION/REACTION i.e. one dancer makes a move which causes the other dancer to react to it
  • How does the choreographer move the dancers in the space?
  • What are the tempo and dynamics used in the fight sequences?
  • What is the relationship between the music and the dance in this scene?

Dance Activity

  1. In pairs create a fight sequence. Use either imaginary knives or make cardboard ones.
  2. Think about the idea of ACTION and REACTION, where one person makes a strike and the other reacts to it.
  3. Create a series of FIVE action/reaction movements. Practice them in slow motion at first, and then do them at normal speed.
  4. Two pairs work together. Create a fight sequence, 2 against 2. Think about appropriate action words e.g. thrust, strike, parry, spin, lunge, roll, slash, leap, dodge, jab etc.
  5. Add mime to your sequence as well as dance movements
  6. Think about changes in speed and dynamics, and moments of stillness as you focus on the opponent.
  7. Use the Prokoviev score or find your own dramatic music for the dance.

Film Clip

Act 1 Scene 4: The ballroom in the Capulet House

  1. Describe the use of UNISON movement in the scene
  2. How does the choreographer move the dancers in the space?
  3. How does he group the dancers?
  4. How is the story progressed during the scene? What are the interactions between the different characters – Romeo, Juliet, Paris, and Tybalt?

Dance Activity

  1. In groups create your own ‘dance of the guests’. Use the Prokoviev score or choose your own music.
  2. Part of your dance should show UNISON movement and part should show CONTRASTING movements with each individual doing different actions e.g. meeting and greeting other guests, having an argument or fight, drinking and eating.

Film Clip

Act 3 Scene 4: The Crypt

  1. How has the choreographer solved the problem of creating dance movement when the characters are both dying
  2. How has he used the funeral bier in this scene to aid the movement ideas?
  3. If you were going to choreograph this scene how would you do it?

Dance Activity

  1. Create a duet which is your version of Romeo and Juliet’s death scene.
  2. Place it in a contemporary situation. What has happened? Where are you? What has caused the deaths? How do you show this with dance movement?
  3. Use Prokoviev’s score or find your own music.
  4. Look at the film West Side Story which is the Romeo and Juliet story set in the west side of New York City during the 1950s. It may give you some ideas on how you can update the story of Romeo and Juliet.