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Understanding Contemporary Dance Techniques

The document discusses the emergence and development of contemporary dance after World War 2. It introduces some influential contemporary dancers from that era and how their work pushed boundaries. It then discusses how contemporary dance incorporated more theatrical elements and how styles continued evolving. It also provides an overview of steps, storytelling techniques and safety protocols in contemporary dance.

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Isid Martin G Relox
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19 views1 page

Understanding Contemporary Dance Techniques

The document discusses the emergence and development of contemporary dance after World War 2. It introduces some influential contemporary dancers from that era and how their work pushed boundaries. It then discusses how contemporary dance incorporated more theatrical elements and how styles continued evolving. It also provides an overview of steps, storytelling techniques and safety protocols in contemporary dance.

Uploaded by

Isid Martin G Relox
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Contemporary Dance

The Emergence of Contemporary Dance

The third period of development of modern dance happened after the Second World War in
1945. By this time, modern dance had emerged as contemporary dance. Contemporary
dance integrated the techniques and styles from social dance, ballet, and modern dance.
Among the contemporary dancers of this time were Americans Merce Cunningham, James
Waring, Twyla Tharp, Alwin Nikolais, Paul Taylor, and Alvin Ailey. Their revolutionary thinking
changed the style of modern dance as they tackled unique expressions such as the
relationship of the present time to abstract space, humorous juxtapositions of movements,
and parodies of dance styles of different performers. Some of them even jumped into the
extreme limit of what was acceptable dance style.

By the mid-1980s, modern dancers were no longer interested with traditional techniques as
they relied on more theatrical elements and the use of literary and pictorial devices on their
dance styles. For instance, Karole Armitage’s dances are characterized by stabbing, insect-
like motions and savage confrontations. There was also the buto of the Japanese dancers
group Sankai Juku. Buto is a form of dance theater that avoids structured choreography. It
strives to express primitive emotions by making minimal use of costumes and actual
movement.

Steps in Contemporary Dance

Contemporary dance, just like modern dance, is emotionally driven. Thus, it is typical for
contemporary dancers to experiment in their dance steps based on how they feel and
according to the message that they want to convey. Contemporary dance, however, is also
characterized by flowing movements mixed with quick and exaggerated steps. The
choreography is also normally edgy in its storytelling.

Safety Protocols in Performing Modern and Contemporary


Dance

As mentioned in the previous module, safety protocols are important to secure safety in your
performances. The first thing that you should always remember is to do something, warm-up,
and posture exercises before your dance practice and actual performance.\

Performing Modern and Contemporary Dance

The basic locomotor skills will come in handy when you perform modern and contemporary
dance. After learning about some common steps in modern and contemporary dance,
explore the steps, directions, and rhythm using a combination of the simple locomotor skills.
Try practicing the steps by accomplishing the next What Have I Learned So Far?

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