ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS
SCHOOL OF THEATRE

THE:  225.00    DANCE COMPOSITION II     2 hrs. Sp.

Prerequisite: THE 125, Dance Composition I,  or consent of instructor.

Course Description:   Continued theory and practice in the principles of dance composition learned in THE 125.00, Dance Composition I, with emphasis on expanding problem-solving compositional skills in choreographic assignments.

Overview of the Course:

This intermediate course is designed to provide students with compositional experience working in primarily small groups.  The course will review the basic principles learned in THE 125.00, Dance Composition I.  This course will enable the student to study and employ the concepts of group composition, with the option of presenting their work in a formal or informal setting.  In this course the student will work in the capacity of "choreographer" where he/she is responsible for the development and rehearsal of their creative work.  Choreographers will be discouraged from performing in their own work.

Course Objectives:

• Understand and demonstrate knowledge of theoretical concepts of group compositional design.
  
• Organize original movement material into solo choreographed studies involving more than one dancer -
  to be performed in class.

• Understand and be able to effectively analyze the creative work of fellow classmates.
  
• Communicate effectively and clearly compositional ideas and concepts in discussion and in a class
  notebook.

• Analyze and evaluate choreography and works of art of a professional stature.

• Organize rehearsals and complete choreographic projects in a timely fashion adhering to timelines
  set by the instructor.

• Demonstrate effective coaching technique while working with dancers in a rehearsal atmosphere.

• Experience working with traditional and non-traditional approaches to choreography.

Course Outline:

I. Compositional Assignments

A. Group Collaboration

B.   Motif & Development Based on Emotional Impulse

C.  Symbolic Space with use of prop(s) or set

D. The Human Machine or Life Cycle using vocalization

E.  Traditional Form:  Canon

F.   Use of Chance with Gestural Abstraction

II. Choreographic Feedback Sessions

III. Quizzes:   NY Times articles

IV. Journal/Notebook

            A.  Assignments

            B.  Creative Work

            C.  Ideas for future work

            D.  Impressions

            E.  Peer Review

            F.  Handouts

V. Final Compositional Work

             A. Designed to be performed in "alternative space"

            B. Four Minute Minimum Length

            C. Set to Music

            D. Costumed

            E. Four Dancers Minimum

            F. May Incorporate Movement Material from "studies"

           

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Required Text:

Blom, Lynne Anne & Chaplin, L. Tarin.  The Intimate Act of Choreography.
            Pittsburgh, PA, University of Pittsburgh Press, 1982.

Humphrey, Doris. The Art of Making Dances. Princeton, NJ,
            Princeton Book Company, 1987.

Required Reading:

The New York Times.  Sunday Edition. ARTS section.

          
Optional Reading:

Tomkins, Calvin.   The Bride and the Bachelors.   Penquin Books USA Inc.:  ,
            New York, NY, 1976.

Additional Handouts.

Required Student Tasks:

• Reading of selected articles and handouts relating to dance composition (some of which may be on-line).
  
• Contribution to class discussions and feedback sessions.
  
• Consistent attendance and professional conduct.

• Compositional assignments.

• Journal recordings throughout the semester.
  
• Organization of notebook.
  
• Readings in text assignments and notes.
  
• Quizzes on NY Times articles.
  
• Final compositional work.
  
• Presentation of all compositional work in class.