Improvisation and Duo

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

60 hours

Successful completion of Year 1 of the Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance) to ensure students have appropriate knowledge.

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:

• Further 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.
• Consolidate skill in creating contemporary duo material.
• Expand skills in timing and spatial awareness, and sensitivity when moving with a partner.
• Utilise improvisation as a method to deepen exploration of personal movement vocabulary, in the development of improvisation scores.
• Work effectively in duet and group improvisations.

• Students attend a mid semester interview with 2 staff to review progress across all subjects including Improvisation and Duo elective: Mid Semester
• Coursework – active, physical and ongoing engagement in practical classes (including regular individual feedback) against assessment criteria:End of Semester (80%)
• Written assignment (1200 words) - Written work must be passed to successfully complete the subject: End of Semester (20%)
• 100% weekly punctual and full attendance is expected: 80% Attendance must be met to pass the subject (Hurdle Requirement)

Handouts available on LMS

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject students should be able to:

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