Shadows: Lighting

Shadows: Lighting

#Staging and Set

• Shadows is set in a domestic interior with a table and chairs. The table and chairs signify a family home setting.
• The positioning of the table and chairs changes throughout the performance, reflecting shifts in the family dynamic.

#Costume

• Dancers wear simple, everyday clothing in Shadows, furthering the motif of a typical family.
• Colours of costumes vary between characters but remain within a palette, creating contrast and expressing individuality.

#Lighting

• Soft lighting creates an intimate, homely atmosphere.
• Changes in lighting intensity and direction are linked to the emotion and mood of the dance.

#Soundscape

• The soundtrack in Shadows is made up by Arvo Pärt’s music.
• The music is reflective in nature, which mirrors the contemplative mood of the piece.

#Choreography

• The dance incorporates a blend of ballet and contemporary techniques.
• Repetitive movements are used to signify the daily routine of a family.
• Partnerships and interactions between dancers demonstrate relationships within the family.

#Themes

• Main themes of Shadows include family, relationships, and the pressures of life.
• The title Shadows symbolises the shadow of the problems and the pressures that weigh down on the family.

#Symbols

• Props such as the coats present themes of burden and weight.
• The table and chairs represent the family’s home but also become symbolic for barriers and obstacles.