ABSTRACT
Chapter 4: Developing dance
This chapter examines ways of developing knowledge, skills and understanding of dance compositions and performances as well as engaging learners in appreciating dance. Dance moves beyond ‘movement patterns’ and offers opportunities for learners to experience the roles of creator, performer, audience member, critic and leader. Laban's Movement Analysis is explored in more depth in relation to body/action, dynamics, space and relationships and Smith-Autard's Midway Model for Teaching Dance and the interrelated aspects of creating, performing and appreciating discussed. We demonstrate that creating dance involves a rigorous, decision-making process and offer ways of supporting and challenging learners to engage in physical thinking and use a range of movement vocabulary and dance skills in compositions, performance and appreciation. A variety of stimuli/starting points are suggested, dance vocabulary as actions, qualities, space and relationships discussed and some choreographic devices are introduced. There is a plethora of potential ideas to use as starting points for dance development, creation and performance.
