Film

Interview with the dancer Elliot.

• Clip 28: Dancing multiple roles
• Clip 29: Dancing the role of Gamache
• Clip 30: The dancer’s responsibility in the production
• Clip 31: Developing a character in a ballet
• Clip 32: How to act on stage as a dancer
• Clip 33: How to keep the work fresh dancing a work many times

Focus Question:

1. What are the most important aspects of portraying a character in a ballet?
2. How does Eliot go about preparing for his multiple roles?
3. What are the things he finds most challenging about being in a ballet like Don Quixote?

Film

• Clip 34: A rehearsal with Kitri, Basilio, and Don Quixote
• Clip 35: Basilio and Kitri dancing their solos
• Clip 36: Basilio and Kitri’s duet

Focus Questions:

1. Describe the movements used during the duet.
2. Can you identify any specific ballet steps?
3. What are the maim differences between the male and female dancing in the duet?
4. What is the mood of this duet? How does the choreography show us that this is a love duet?
5. What is the relationship between the music and the movement?

• Clip 37: In the costume room.

In The Studio

How do you tell a story without using words?

1. In pairs, stand on opposite sides of the room. Walk towards each other, meet, something happens, and then keep crossing the room.
2. Who are you? What is your attitude towards this stranger? Or is it someone you know?
3. Firstly do this exercise exaggerating your movements – make them as large and ridiculous as possible.
4. Then try the exercise using normal everyday actions. What is the difference when you look at the two different versions?
5. This time focus on the manner in which you approach the other person. E.g. What is your body shape? How do you walk/run/shuffle/meander? Are your movements different after the meeting? E.g. do you turn back & give a quick wave? Scurry away rapidly? Back away slowly?

Creating a dramatic scene

1. In groups of three imagine that two of you are thieves and one is the victim, whose bag is about to be stolen.
2. Show how the thieves approach their victim and collude to carry out the burglary.
3. How does the scene change once you have the bag?
4. How does the scene end? E.g. flak from parents for stealing?

Telling the story of Don Quixote in freeze frames
 

1. Don Quixote is in New Zealand today. What happens to him?
2. Tell the story in a series of freeze frames (frozen shape pictures).
3. Now turn it into moving pictures of the story.
4. Make sure you exaggerate all of your shapes and movements.