Reflecting On and Analyzing a Dance Performance: Studying the Dancers (Instead of the Choreography)

This has been on my mind this week. In many college departments, students see several performances a year and write about the choreography. I would like to suggest another lens to view a few performances each year. Reflecting on and analyzing both the choreography, and the company, are worthwhile activities.

These questions can be used within a college class, but of course dancers of all ages can use these questions.

Considering a performance you just experienced live:

• Who caught your attention and why?

• Who would you describe as a “strong performer” or a "compelling performer?" Describe in detail his/her vocabulary, technique, presence on stage, commitment, rapport with the audience….

• What skills and tools did the dancers need to perform the piece (ex. acting skills, hip hop vocabulary, improvisation, partnering….)?

• Which role would you love to learn from the performance?

• Which roles in the show are you already suited for? Which ones would be a stretch and why? What skills would you need to develop to perform some of these roles?

• Did the group feel like an ensemble? How did you see this?

• What does investment and commitment look like?

• Was there unison in the work? Describe the unison. What skills did the dancers employ to move in a synchronized way?

• What is one “take away” from seeing this performance and really looking at the performers? What do you want to try in the near future in your own performing work?

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