Technicalities of Dance
Tonya Sok
English 1304
Dr. Beaven
27 March 2013
Technicalities of Dance Dance is a universal language that involves exaggerated movements of the arms, legs, and body. With the sound of music, dance is more than just a form of expression. It is a moving portrait embraced by the curtain frame. It is a masterpiece assembled by artfully maneuvered strokes. The strokes don’t belong to that of the painter, but rather the educator who supervised the integration of music and dance. There it hangs on a stage like any other painting on a wall; a moving portrait. However, the many stereotypes formed among the dancers have altered the way some view the performances of dance. Especially in the modern and ballet genres, while the dancers pour their heart and soul into the movements, why does the audiences’ perspective change with a shift from female to male leads? What if the movements just did not meet our standards of liking or fit our taste? Do we enjoy the performance as a whole if there is one odd flaw standing out? I explore the reasons as to why society judges the attributes of dance in such cases as mixed genders, their styles, and the unwillingness to accept it as a sport. The issues pertaining to gender should not matter in art. Men and women are free to express thoughts and ideas through paintings, and therefore both should be equally free to express themselves through dancing. In Negotiating the Gay Male Stereotype, Katherine M. Polasek believes cultures construct “gender, the body, and movement, restricting both males and females from using and exploring their bodies in ways not deemed gender-appropriate” (Page # and fix how the quote flows with sentence). Some people ridicule males in ballet for wearing tights because it is too “feminine”. On the other hand, when comparing ballet to wrestling, swimming, or football the use of tight pants or Speedos are considered as an attire requirement. Tights enable one to possess ease of movement and less drag
English 1304
Dr. Beaven
27 March 2013
Technicalities of Dance Dance is a universal language that involves exaggerated movements of the arms, legs, and body. With the sound of music, dance is more than just a form of expression. It is a moving portrait embraced by the curtain frame. It is a masterpiece assembled by artfully maneuvered strokes. The strokes don’t belong to that of the painter, but rather the educator who supervised the integration of music and dance. There it hangs on a stage like any other painting on a wall; a moving portrait. However, the many stereotypes formed among the dancers have altered the way some view the performances of dance. Especially in the modern and ballet genres, while the dancers pour their heart and soul into the movements, why does the audiences’ perspective change with a shift from female to male leads? What if the movements just did not meet our standards of liking or fit our taste? Do we enjoy the performance as a whole if there is one odd flaw standing out? I explore the reasons as to why society judges the attributes of dance in such cases as mixed genders, their styles, and the unwillingness to accept it as a sport. The issues pertaining to gender should not matter in art. Men and women are free to express thoughts and ideas through paintings, and therefore both should be equally free to express themselves through dancing. In Negotiating the Gay Male Stereotype, Katherine M. Polasek believes cultures construct “gender, the body, and movement, restricting both males and females from using and exploring their bodies in ways not deemed gender-appropriate” (Page # and fix how the quote flows with sentence). Some people ridicule males in ballet for wearing tights because it is too “feminine”. On the other hand, when comparing ballet to wrestling, swimming, or football the use of tight pants or Speedos are considered as an attire requirement. Tights enable one to possess ease of movement and less drag
Cited: Hanna, Judith Lynne. "Dance And Sexuality: Many Moves." Journal Of Sex Research 47.2/3 (2010): 212-241. Academic Search Complete Jowitt, Deborah. "Dancing Masculinity: Defining The Male Image Onstage In Twentieth- Century America And Beyond." Southwest Review 95.1/2 (2010): 227-242. Academic Search Complete Morris, Geraldine. "Artistry Or Mere Technique? The Value Of The Ballet Competition." Research In Dance Education 9.1 (2008): 39-54.Academic Search Complete Polasek, Katherine M., and Emily A. Roper. "Negotiating The Gay Male Stereotype In Ballet And Modern Dance." Research In Dance Education 12.2 (2011): 173-193. Academic Search Complete Warburton, Edward C. "Of Boys And Girls." Research In Dance Education 10.2 (2009): 145-148. Academic Search Complete