Performance Reflection

Dance 2010- 102
9 May 2013
SADE Performance Paper Today, I got the pleasure to be able to watch another Dance: Analyzing Style and Form class perform their final modern dance projects. I chose the first three groups to analyze and critique. Each group had their own unique style and form and each represented the liberal style of modern dance, as a whole. Every group had something completely different to bring to the table, and every group had their own share of strengths and weaknesses. Nevertheless, I was very entertained by the performers and their dances. The first group did a performance to a recognizable instrumental from the popular movie The Lion King. The song was entitled “The Circle of Life”. The performers started off in a circle-shaped lineup where they performed a ripple motion of dance with their legs. This, I interpreted, was a representation of the “circle of life,” just as the name of the song suggests. Later, they each moved into varying lineups and performed different movements to represent different animals. There were leaps and shapes made, and not every performer did the same choreography at once. I liked their use of variety in that aspect. I also liked how they made good use of the stage and did not limit themselves to one formation or section of the stage. There were a few things that I did not like, however. While they were performing, there was a little bit of verbal communication and laughter between the performers that distracted away from the actual performance. Also, there were sections of the performance that were weaker/stronger than others. This made me think that a little more rehearsal would have made the routine cleaner. Lastly, I felt that the performers lacked adequate emotion. This, I feel, would have brought more substance to the already enjoyable choreography. The second piece was completely different from the first, but equally entertaining. This seemed to be a more synchronized piece as far as movement goes. There was also a more serious