Solo: Spatial Elements

Understanding Solo Performance: Spatial Elements

Appreciation for personal space refers to understanding one’s own reachable space and the individual movements within this space.
Knowledge of general space is all about being aware of the entire performance area, including the audience and other performers if present.
Mastery of direction is about understanding the path along which a movement travels. This could be forward, backward, sideways, diagonal, up, down, and so on.
Comprehension of level, namely, realizing the vertical distance from the floor either low, medium, or high. This can include floorwork and leaps or jumps.
Understanding focus: Where is the dancer looking? What is the dancer’s focus during specific movements?
Command over pathways: These are the lines of movements created either on the floor or in the air.

Effectively utilizing the stage space for a dynamic performance – dancers must deploy forwards, backwards, diagonally and circular pathways.
Switching levels for added dynamism. This could include some movements on a low level (ex: floorwork), transitioning to a medium or high level (ex: standing, jumping).
Changing the focus to make a performance more gripping. Where the dancer chooses to look during each movement can change the energy, style and interpretation of the dance.
Experimenting with enclosing and extending movements to create a spatial contrast.

Practice is key to executing spatial choreography correctly. Regular and structured rehearsals can help the dancer move naturally within the given space.
Watching back recorded performances can also help to understand how a dancer uses the stage space. This is especially useful for seeing if certain areas of the stage are being under or overutilized.
Experimenting with different directions, levels and spaces can help a dancer feel more confident and creative in their use of space.
Collaboration with peers or mentors, their inputs and perspectives can provide new insights on stage space usage.

Even though the choreography may dictate certain spatial elements, never forget to emphasize expression and storytelling in a dance performance.

Remember, effective use of space can greatly enhance a solo dance performance, making it more engaging and visually interesting for an audience.