Creative Movement from a Chosen Theme or Stimulus

Creative Movement from a Chosen Theme or Stimulus

Understanding Themes and Stimuli

  • A theme or stimulus can be any idea, topic, concept, or event used as the basis for creating movement.
  • Themes and stimuli can originate from a wide range of sources such as: pieces of music, works of art, poems, stories, personal experiences, physical objects, or abstract concepts.
  • An important aspect of choreography is the ability to create quality movement from a chosen theme or stimulus.

Generating Ideas

  • Brainstorming is a valuable method to explore a theme or stimulus in depth.
  • Analysing the theme or stimulus in relation to the senses, feelings, elements, or relationships can help generate unique movement ideas.
  • Ideas do not always need to be literal representations of the theme.

Structuring the Choreography

  • Once movement ideas have been generated from the theme or stimulus, they need to be organised into a coherent structure.
  • Choreographic structures such as binary, ternary, rondo, narrative, theme and variation, or chance can be utilised.
  • The structure chosen should contribute to the overall effectiveness of the dance by enhancing the portrayal of the theme.

Movement Development

  • Movement phrases can be developed using choreographic devices such as: repetition, retrograde, accumulation, cannon, mirroring, contrast, or motif development.
  • It is important that each movement phrase connects to the theme and contributes to the unfolding of the idea.
  • Exploring different levels, dynamic qualities, spatial patterns, and rhythmical timing while developing movements contribute to the creation of an interesting dance piece.

Evaluation and Improvement

  • Evaluation at every step of the choreographic process is essential.
  • Review your choreography objectively, asking questions such as: Does the dance effectively portray the theme? Are the movements interesting and varied?
  • Making improvements based on self-reflection and constructive feedback are crucial to perfecting the choreography.

Final Choreography

  • The final choreography should exhibit thoughtful, creative usage of the chosen theme or stimulus which captures an audience’s attention.
  • Dancers should demonstrate a clear understanding of the theme or stimulus in their performance.
  • The completed dance should be polished, with a clear structure, varied movement, and a suitable relationship to the chosen theme or stimulus.