Evaluation of "Brunch" dance

The technical elements and requirements that the dance piece “Brunch” has is release technique in contemporary dance such as suspension, use of gravity, the use of falling and also allowing your body to flow with its self-more such as using the core(the centre of your body) when jumping or swinging. One of the concepts of the dance was that the symbol/main theme of the piece was exhaustion and mourning out of boredom. Equally, the stimulus of the dance was that children was tired and upset of how they had to come to school on a Saturday to go to detention. The overall performance that was presented within the dance was very virtuous. For example, I used the correct technique of contemporary dance release and applied it to my movements throughout the dance piece.

One of my strengths was applying leg extensions through the significant use of release technique that is being applied. For example, one way that this was represented was through doing the cartwheel jump. My leg were pointed and extended up in the air. This represents on how I am applying the technical elements of contemporary dance, extensions towards the stimulus and concept of the dance and contemporary technique as a whole

Another strength that I had was timing and musicality. For example, one attitude and representation of how I showed timing was through listening to the music and following the rhythmic structure of the piece throughout. This is one of the main key elements and essentials towards the dance.

The last strength that I recognised was my spacial awareness towards other dancers on the stage. For instance, one aspect of how this was portrayed is through health and safety. By being aware of other dancers while keeping the same formations and timing show dance application and self application as an individual.

One of my weaknesses that were represented through my dance movement is my use of release technique. For example, one aspect of how this was shown was through letting my body go more and not controlling my movements. A way of how I am going to be improving this is through practicing more release exercises such as the swings and suspensions.

Another weakness that I have noticed is my control through movements. For example, one way of how this was represented is through me placing every movements with what arm the degree goes to. The use of release technique is about flow through the movements. One aspect of how I am going to be improving in this is through more improvisation that I self record myself performing throughout. Which would help me with release technique.

The last weakness that I recognised through brunch is my use of character within the piece. For example, one way that this was shown is through not showing enough expression and portrayal of the theme, "exhaustion" and "boredom" throughout my facial features. 

Evaluation of Revelations

In one of the successful dance pieces of Alvin Ailey, “Revelations” I applied a very good level of dance application to the dance. For example, as a contemporary dancer we had to apply different techniques of contemporary such as Graham technique and Horton technique. I applied the dance techniques theoretically significant throughout the three sections of Revelations that I had to perform. By being a very dedicated and hardworking dancer having respectable attendance and punctuality is an essential as a dancer. My self-application as a dancer can be improved by presenting appropriate presentation for instance by being more self-independent as a dancer. Through not always relying on the other dancers around me and what movements they are working on. Nonetheless make sure that I know what I am performing and dancing with the movements and dynamics. This can be improved by practicing what we learn during class time rehearsals and record myself after each lesson. As a result, I would have self-reflecting piece of dance that I performed to watch and look back on and work on outside of class.

One of the improvements that I have mad with my dance technique is using my turn out position and plie more. For example, in the beginning of Revelations the expression that I portrayed through the repetitive motif of extension of my left arm reaching towards the bottom of the left. To go into a wide second turn out position. In addition, it creates emphasise of us 10 dancers dancing in unison. Revelations is first shown with one spotlight on all the dancers at the centre point of the stage. The white spotlight is reflecting on the dynamical silhouettes in unison as well as canon. It reveals more of the main stimulus of Revelations which is salvation and wanting freedom. This which is being portrayed through me reaching out and going into a plie towards the bottom of the floor. 

Another improvement that I have noticed is my emotion and expression that I convey in Sinnerman. For example, when we go down to the floor with our arms firing out into a windmill turn. Which is composed with my emotion and mood. To the concept of how Alvin Ailey’s embodiment of Africa as trapped and deserted. By going down to the floor could convey on how Alvin Ailey is exploring the concept of the social progression of slavery and imprisonment that African Americans were going through. 

Lastly, the improvement that I recognised through my dance application is my elevation. For instance, when I was performing my own solo in Sinnerman before going back into the trio. When, I was doing my leg extensions my right leg was elevated high. While going into the suspension out using my arms and the centre of my whole body. Consequently, the audience of the imaginable feel of passion and struggle through out Revelations that African Americans were going through. 

On the other hand, one of the weaknesses I had when applying self-application is my positioning and extension of my leg. For example, when I was dispersing of our arms and legs going to the floor. My right leg was not fully extended as it was bending and straightening when I was going down to the floor. Furthermore, it demonstrates on how I need to work on the extensions of my legs on the positioning of a diagonal. 

Another weakness in my performance through applying contemporary dance technique is showing contraction. For instance, when we use the fan to contract with our chests. This represents that I need to use more contraction and isolation with my chest. The significance of the prop helps to speak out the troubles of being muted and restricted from society. The fan adds more parenthesis to the piece. 

All the movements in unison reflects the undeniable strength that the dancers project and give out. By performing the correct movements in unison has allowed me to have very consistent timing. Furthermore, this represents a unity of dancers coming together as one. 

In conclusion, the last weakness in my performance was posture. For example, throughout the fan dance section of Revelations my body was shifting off the centre. It presents that I need to use more control throughout the centre of my body. 

One of my targets for next term is to work more on my flexibility. By means of doing more stretching exercises at home and at my dance classes in and outside of college. 

Unit 46-Applying contemporary dance

Revelations

The beginning piece of Revelations required very technical ability in the area of contemporary dance that was being explored throughout the whole of Revelations. One of the contemporary dance technique that I had to explore through Revelations is Graham and Horton technique. Which are considered as very important contemporary dance style techniques and influences towards Alvin Ailey's piece, "Revelations". One of the concepts of this piece is to be all united together. Which is explored and expressed through the unison movements.

One of my strengths that I have recognised is my use of turn out position. For example, this was presented through using the stylistic features of Alvin Ailey's piece to represent on how we are suffering and are imprisoned in a culture of inequality and segregation between the western and African American culture.

Another strength that I have is my leg and arm extensions. For instance, this was explored through the beginning when reaching out towards the floor in a wide deep second position plie. By going to extra technique and dance classes has helped me with my plie and my turn out position. Furthermore, it has also helped me with my extensions and flexibility to go an extended degree.

The last strength that I have recognised is my projection with the whole of my body. For example, one way that this was demonstrated is through how in the beginning section that when our heads are facing towards the ceiling that my chest is lifted up.

One of the weaknesses that I noticed was my use of spotting when I done the turn/transition into the group formation. One element of how I could be working on my spotting while doing turns is to practice turns in contemporary dance in the dance studio. Also, I should film myself when doing the turns to see if i am making improvements in my spotting.

Brunch dance piece

This is one of the dance pieces that required the use of release technique of contemporary dance. "Brunch" dance piece required us to show facial and emotional expression to portray our character with the expression of being bored and mourning out of exhaustion. As, we have to show and explore this through both of our movements and use of facial expression which needs to be projected towards the audience.

One of my strengths that I noticed was my timing with the music and musicality. For example, one way that this was represented is through me counting with the music and doing the movements at the correct time with the correct technique.

Another strength that I have is my leg extensions. For instance, when doing the cartwheel jump my legs were pointed and also turned out in a second position when doing the jump in the air. With the support of a dancers shoulders when I am running into and going to do the jump.

The last strength that  i recognized is my projection. This was presented through me looking up and facing the audience. Also, using my eye line within dance to look up when performing movements and the stylistic qualities  of contemporary dance.

One of my weaknesses was my use of throwing myself more with my body when doing the dance piece. As, I need to release myself more in contemporary dance and use my whole body to flow while suspending my body more. A way of how I can improve on this and be working on my suspension is by doing more core exercises such as planks and sit ups. This would allow the centre of my body to be engaged with.

Another weakness that I have been able to capture is the use of gravity and the centre of my body. For instance, one aspect of how this was illustrated is through me not jumping high enough when the swing and jump before going into the trio image. A way of how I can improve on this is by practicing more jumps and leaps within the dance studio to help me with my height and elevation of the jumps.

In conclusion, the last weakness that I have captured is my elevation and height within jumps. For example, during the transition of when I had to do the contact release technique before going into the trio. An aspect of how I can improve on this is by using more momentum within my jumps. As a result, I'm going to be working on my jumps and practicing contemporary dance exercises such as going into second and first position turn out when jumping.

Working out formations of Alvin Ailey's dance

In our dance class rehearsals we were working on the fan section of revelations. Within the issues in the category such as the formations of the dance and what characteristics and features that have to be applied within the fan dance. This is including gossiping and spreading the news within the church. It emphasises on preaching and reaching out towards everyone. Through this represents power and passion with information that comes from one person then goes towards all. Gossiping within the church explores the cultural heritage of black African American's. It is enduring a social protest that is being explicitly shown and demonstrated through all the griefs to the redemption and joy preached in God's eyes. One aspect of this section of Revelations is that it composes yearn for deliverance and attitudes of how African American's have had so much that they were struggling for. 

One of my strengths within the fan dance section of Revelations is my use of the prop to explore the characteristics of the dance piece. For example, one attitude is that the use of the fan is explored as of showing that the news is spreading around all of us. The fan is a form and method of communication throughout the whole dance piece. This section speaks out the troubles of this world. It speaks out an earthly feel of struggle and sorrow through the brown neutral coloured costumes. The atmosphere of this choreography is being described as weightful and a burden to carry out within the dance.

Another strength that I have is my clarity and technicality of the dance movements. For instance, one way that this is being portrayed is through my movements having an range of effective emotion through the repetition of the motifs. It is referring Alvin Ailey's church life. Even though the main aim of church is to praise the lord. In this modern contemporary culture church mostly involves gossip and spreading the news across not only one but all.

The last strength that I have noticed is my turn out and extension of the turn out of the dance. For example, one way that is explored is through by making sure that my legs are turned out in the right position of the dance(i.e. second position extended out). Throughout revelations speak out the truth and also the confidence to believe and reach out for something more which you thought that you can not get or achieve as a black African American citizen.

One of the weaknesses that I have noticed  is my application of Graham technique.