Dance Glossary

Dance Glossary

Abstraction: the move from the representational to the symbolic; the process of removing movement from particular or representative context and (by manipulating it with elements of space, time and force) creating a new sequences or dance that retains the essence of the original.
Active space: when the space itself becomes alive, when it has meaning,

Energy: the potential for force; propels or initiates movement (linked to dynamics).
Environment: happenings and occurrences within the space of the dance activity.
Era: an identifiable period of time in which significant development in dance took place that relates to a developmental aspect of dance as an art form.
Force: the magnitude or intensity of the energy exerted, expended or released (linked to dynamics)
Form: the overall shape, organisation or development of composition according to a preconceived plan.
Improvisation: movement that is created spontaneously, ranging from free form to high structured environments, but always with an element of chance.
Intent: the purpose behind the composition or performance of movement.
Interpretation: the application of dance technique and individual performance quality to realise the concept/intent of a piece of choreography.
Kinaesthetic Awareness: kinaesthetic sensations are feelings of the body’s muscles, joints and tendons while in motion or in stillness. The kinaesthetic sense is of primary importance to movement and dance. Perceptions of the body’s movements are gathered through receptors in the tendons, muscles and joints and relayed to the brain. By becoming aware of their own kinaesthetic sensations, students can more accurately direct and control their movements as well as copy movements demonstrated to them. This results in students increasing their dance techniques.
Locomotor movement: movement that travels from place to place, usually identified by weight transference on the feet (jump, walk, run, leap, etc.)
Motif: the earliest stage of...