Evaluation of Professional Live or Recorded Choreography for Two or More People

Section 1: Understanding the Role of Choreography

Choreography is the art of creating dances and organising movements into a coherent sequence.
It is important to identify the choreographer’s intention, style, and use of space, time, and energy in the dance.
Choreography relies on imagination, creativity as well as an understanding of dance technique and performance.

Section 2: Analysing Choreographic Structure

Choreographic structure is the arrangement of dance movements in a specific order.
Structures can take many forms including binary, ternary, rondo or narrative.
Understanding and identifying choreographic structure is key to deciphering the overall narrative or meaning of the dance.

Section 3: Evaluating Choreographic Style

Different choreographers have their unique styles and influences, from classical ballet to hip hop to contemporary dance.
It’s important to recognise and evaluate this style, as it strongly influences the dance’s theme, mood, and movements.
A simple identifying factor for style includes costumes, music choices, and specific dance techniques and movements.

Section 4: Critiquing Performance Quality

Choreography is brought to life by dancers, hence, distinguishing between the quality of choreography and of the dancers’ performances matters.
Among other things, consider factors like the dancers’ technical competence, stage presence, and interpretation of the choreography.
Quality dance performances should demonstrate strong technique alongside emotional expression and interpretation.

Section 5: Reflecting on Choreographic Choices

Choreographers make deliberate choices regarding the dances they create.
These choices can include type of music, lighting, costuming, and even number and types of dancers used in a piece.
Reflecting and analysing on these choreographic choices adds depth to the understanding of the dance piece.

Section 6: Forming Opinions and Articulating Views

Evaluation also involves forming personal opinions and thoughts.
The aim is not just to observe, but also to articulate opinions about what was effective, what would have been better and why.
Developing the ability to articulate one’s views with clarity and respect fosters critical thinking and communication skills.