ABSTRACT

This chapter explores ways in which teachers challenge dancers to experiment with the entire Effort palette creatively and artistically during the technique class. For a performing artist, such as a ballet dancer, artistry involves making conscious choices about how a movement is performed, whether that involves making those choices autonomously or analyzing the choices made by the choreographer or teacher. Regardless, in order for ballet dancers to develop as creative practitioners, they need opportunities to experiment with artistic choices during the ballet technique class. Playing with Effort during class teaches students how to discern differences in movement qualities and it develops their improvisation and creative problem-solving skills. These skills are important to develop as they work with choreographers and perform different roles in ballet productions. Dancers develop their artistic sensibilities as they explore making different Effort choices during class. When they teach their peer their dynamic choices, they have to use clear verbal cuing and physical demonstrations.