Question 1: Describe how a dancer might use their arms to express emotion during a contemporary dance routine.

Answer: A dancer could use wide, sweeping arm movements to convey openness or excitement, or keep their arms close to the body to show tension or sadness. The movement's speed and angle also contribute to the emotional expression.

Question 2: Identify three different types of dance movements (e.g., jumps, turns, gestures) and explain how each can be used to create a mood or atmosphere.

Answer: Jumps can create a sense of energy or excitement; turns can convey elegance or confusion depending on their speed and style; gestures can communicate specific emotions or storytelling elements, such as reaching out to suggest longing.

Question 3: Imagine a dance where the performer moves slowly and smoothly across the stage. What kind of mood or feeling might this convey? Explain your reasoning.

Answer: A slow, smooth movement can convey calmness, grace, or sadness. It allows the audience to focus on the fluidity of the dance and can evoke feelings of tranquility or introspection.

Question 4: Describe what you might see in a dance performance that uses sharp, fast movements versus one that uses flowing, gentle movements.

Answer: Sharp, fast movements often create a sense of excitement, tension, or aggression, with quick changes in position. Flowing, gentle movements tend to evoke calmness, elegance, or tenderness, with continuous, smooth transitions.

Question 5: Analyze how the use of space can enhance the storytelling in a dance performance. Provide a verbal example.

Answer: The dancer might move across different areas of the stage to represent a journey or separation. Using open space can suggest freedom or loneliness, while confined movements can indicate restriction or intimacy. The way the dancer interacts with the space helps communicate the story's mood.

Question 6: Watch a dance performance (verbal description) where the dancer uses facial expressions to show emotion. How do these expressions contribute to the overall impact?

Answer: Facial expressions like a smile or frown help convey the dancer's emotional state, making the story more relatable and engaging for the audience. They add depth to movement and reinforce the intended mood.

Question 7: Draw a simple sketch of a dance pose that shows a dancer balancing on one leg with arms extended. Label the key parts of the pose.

Answer: A correct sketch would show a figure standing on one leg, with the other leg slightly lifted or bent. Arms are extended outward or upward to maintain balance and express openness. Label parts such as head, torso, extended arm, supporting leg, and lifted leg.

Question 8: Explain how rhythm and tempo influence the feeling of a dance performance. Use verbal examples.

Answer: Fast tempo and lively rhythm can make a dance feel energetic and exciting, like in a jive. Slow tempo and steady rhythm can create a calm or somber mood, similar to a slow waltz. The rhythm guides the dancer's movements and affects how the audience perceives the performance.

Question 9: Identify two ways a choreographer can make a dance more interesting for the audience.

Answer: Using varied movement patterns and levels (high, middle, low) can keep the performance engaging. Incorporating contrasting styles or dynamics, such as combining slow and fast movements, also adds interest.

Question 10: Describe how a dancer might use their body language to tell a story without any words.

Answer: A dancer could use open arms and a lifted head to show confidence, or slumped shoulders and downward gaze to indicate sadness. Movements like reaching out or pulling away help communicate emotions and narrative elements without speech.