Dance Unit 38 and review of first term

  The first term of Dance has been an exciting and busy one. We have focused on technique, performance skills and had a lot of fun.

 Our first main project was choreographing and performing the song 'America' from Stephen Sondheim's 'West Side Story'. What was challenging about this dance was that there was a lot of people on stage as we had all years of Musical Theatre students involved (38 performers)! We performed the dance in the Winter Dance Show as well as another group number from Seussical The Musical (Oh the Thinks) that we had also been learning in class.

 Having to learn choreography for Seussical The Musical was challenging because we had such a short time to do so. We finished our Production just 11 days before the opening performance of Seussical so the week before the show was spent learning all the choreography (and the rest of the show!). This was a big learning curve as in the professional world you will sometimes have a very short time to learn choreography.


Unit 38 Criteria:

1- I attend lessons in the correct clothing and have attended Tutor led workshops (choreography of Seussical and America) as well as rehearsals. However I need to control my facial expressions.

2- I have demonstrated physical skills, posture, allignment, coordination, balance, flexibility, strength, rhythm, spacial awareness. I need to work on control and strength.

3- In order to get to the next level I need to demonstrate dances in two different styles and stylistic qualities. I can use West Side Story and then I will choreograph a Contemporary Solo (I can use my AS Dance Choreography)

4- I need to review my progress and evaluate my progress as a dancer in my Blog.

3 Strengths:

3 Weaknesses to Improve on to get higher grade:

    - Choreograph a Contemporary Solo so I have performed two dances in two
      different styles.
    - Evaluate my progress as a dancer in my Blog.
    - Work on my facial expressions as sometimes when I am dancing I need to
      keep a neutral face.

Criteria reference	To achieve the criteria the evidence must show ……..		Task		Blog
P1     M1     D1	demonstrate commitment to the development of performance skills through active participation in workshops and rehearsals   demonstrate commitment to the development of performance skills through focussed participation in workshops and rehearsals   demonstrate self-management in the development of performance skills through thorough preparation and a determined participation in workshops and rehearsals		1,  2,  3
P2    M2     D2	respond positively to direction and corrections   respond positively to direction and corrections and successfully improve aspects of performance technique   respond positively to direction and corrections to improve performance and achieve high levels of technical proficiency		1,  2,  3
P3        M3       D3	demonstrate the application of physical and interpretative skills in performance, communicating the dance idea   demonstrate application of a range of physical and interpretative skills in performance, successfully communicating the dance idea and remaining focused and engaged in the dance   demonstrate application of physical and interpretative skills in performance, confidently and clearly communicating the dance idea and remaining focused and engaged throughout		1,  2,  3
P4      M4      D4	demonstrate an awareness of stylistic qualities in performance   show a clear sense of appropriate stylistic qualities in performance   show an excellent sense of stylistic qualities in performance, with confidence, interpretation and artistic flair		1,  2,  3
P5   M5     D5	review own technical performance setting targets with guidance.   review own technical performance setting appropriate and achievable targets with guidance.   thoroughly review own technical performance setting focused and challenging targets.		1,  2,  3