Improvisation and Duo

This subject is not offered in 2014.

60 hours

Dance Technique 2 or 3 or 4 or 5

Dance Technique 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject brings together two synergetic disciplines: improvisation and duo.

Duo aims to develop contemporary duo skills with an emphasis on weight taking and sharing based on principles of contact improvisation and efficient kinaesthetic function in movement. Strength, coordination, awareness and sensitivity in partnering work are developed. Emphasis is placed on the practice of safe dance techniques as they apply to the duet form.

Improvisation is explored as a means to tap into creative impulse, as a choreographic tool and as a performance modality in its own right. Through the use of Improvisation structures of ‘scores’, students define the conditions required to enter fully into the present moment, deepening their confidence in and connection to creative impulse. Personal movement vocabularies are expanded, while acute responsiveness to external stimuli is developed.

This subject will enable the student to:

• Develop skills of the Duo form drawing on content from both contemporary dance and classical ballet genres
• Demonstrate safe and efficient execution of lifts and falls using counterbalance and low to medium level strength lifting techniques.
• Develop skill in creating contemporary duo material.
• Develop skill in timing and spatial awareness, and sensitivity when moving with a partner.
• Use improvisation as a method to explore personal movement vocabulary, and as a choreographic tool and to develop improvisation scores in movement
• Work effectively in duet and group improvisations
• Develop and perform personal movement aesthetic through improvised movement material

Students attend a mid semester interview with 2 staff to review progress across all subjects including Improvisation and Duo elective;

Coursework – active, physical and ongoing engagement in practical classes (including regular individual feedback) against assessment criteria: attendance 10%, skills development 20%, technical proficiency 30% and work ethic 20%; (ongoing)

Written assignment (1200 words) - Written work must be passed to successfully complete the subject - 20% (End of semester)

80% Attendance Hurdle must be met to pass the subject

100% weekly punctual and full attendance is expected.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject students should be able to:

• Demonstrate the ability to work cooperatively and sensitively with duo partners
• Display an understanding of how to take weight and how to give weight in the duo form
• Perform duet and improvised material with technical accuracy
• Implement safe dance practice
• Demonstrate the ability to create, articulate and adhere to an improvised score
• Articulate and apply personal movement vocabulary and aesthetic in performance of both improvisation and duo