Theater and Dance 111 - The Language of Movement

An introduction to movement as a language and to dance and performance composition. Students will explore and expand their individual movement vocabularies by working improvisationally with weight, posture, gesture, patterns, rhythm, space, and relationship of body parts. We will ask what these vocabularies might communicate about emotion, thought, physical structures, cultural/social traditions, and aesthetic preferences. In addition, we will use observations of movement in our everyday situations and environments, as well as from staged and filmed events, as inspiration for individual and group compositions. Selected readings and viewing of video and films will be included to give students a broad overview of dance and movement practices and tools with which to observe and analyze movement.  

Attention will be drawn to issues of race, class, gender and culture in looking at diverse languages of movement. Two two-hour class meetings and additional peer rehearsal meetings as needed. 

This course will be conducted in a hybrid format.  We will work in site-specific locations, including live sessions on campus with students who are in residence, supported by appropriate technology for remote interactions as needed.  Online-only participation will be available for those students who are not in residence.

Limited to 20 students. Six seats reserved for first-year students. Fall semester. Professors Woodson and Riegel.