Use of Other Constituent Features

Understanding Other Constituent Features of Dance

Besides fundamental movement components, there are Other Constituent Features (OCFs) which are equally important in the choreographic process.

Structural Devices

Structural Devices refer to the form or arrangement of the choreography. Examples include narrative, binary, ternary, rondo, episodial, and theme and variation.

Relationship

Relationships in dance include performer to performer and performer to props/objects.
Spatial relationships, like proximity and mirroring, illuminate emotional states and narrative.
Relationships dictate the interaction, grouping, and cooperation among the performers.

Motif and Motif Development

A motif is a recurring movement sequence, a gesture, a theme or a distinct movement pattern used in Dance composition.
Motif Development involves varying and developing the initial motif to create an extensive piece.
Techniques of motif development include repetition, retrograde, inversion, augmentation, diminution, fragmentation and embellishment.

Phrasing

Phrasing in dance refers to the way movements are organized to create a sense of sentence or a coherent statement.
Choreographers deliver phrasing in different ways, such as question and answer and call and response phrasing.

Contrast

Contrast is a powerful choreographic tool used to highlight differences in movement, energy, space and time.
Differences can be in force, speed, direction, level and size of the motion, contributing to the visual excitement and interest of the dance.

Highlights

Highlights refer to the focal points or climaxes in the dance piece, used to capture and maintain audience interest.

Climax

Climax often comes near the end of the dance, identified as the point of highest tension or the most significant moment.
It may be a moment of highest energy, greatest complexity, or a point of resolution in the narrative.

Performance Environments

Performance environments incorporate stage, site-specific, promenade, in-the-round and traverse.
The choice of environment can deeply influence the overall interpretation and experience of the dance for both performer and spectator.

Use of Accompaniment

Accompaniment can be music, sound or silence, utilised to complement, punctuate, contrast or set the mood and pace of the dance.
Choreographers sometimes create their dances in silence and add the accompaniment later to avoid literal or predictable associations.

A thoughtful and intentional approach to these Other Constituent Features can greatly amplify the expressivity and communicative power of choreography.