Question 1: Describe how facial expressions can be used to convey different emotions during a dance performance. Provide two examples of emotions and corresponding facial expressions.

Answer: Facial expressions help communicate emotions to the audience. For example, a smile can show happiness or joy, while a frown or a look of concern can convey sadness or worry.

Question 2: Explain the importance of eye contact in a dance performance and how it can affect the audience's perception of the dancer's emotion.

Answer: Eye contact can create a connection between the dancer and the audience, making the performance more engaging. It also helps express confidence, focus, or emotion, enhancing the storytelling aspect.

Question 3: Identify and describe three different ways a dancer can use their body language to express feelings during a routine.

Answer: A dancer can use arm and hand movements to show openness or tension, posture to indicate confidence or vulnerability, and gestures to emphasize specific emotions like excitement or fear.

Question 4: Discuss how the use of dynamic contrast (e.g., sudden changes in energy or movement intensity) can enhance emotional expression in dance.

Answer: Dynamic contrast can highlight emotional shifts or dramatic moments, making the performance more engaging and expressive. Sudden changes can surprise the audience and emphasize particular feelings or story elements.

Question 5: Draw a large, blank space and sketch a sequence of three dance poses that clearly communicate a progression of emotion from calmness to excitement.

Answer: A correct sketch would show three poses: first, a relaxed, calm stance with soft arms and a gentle expression; second, a transitional pose with more tension in the body, indicating building anticipation; third, an energetic pose with wide arms, uplifted head, and an excited facial expression.

Question 6: List three ways dancers can use their voice or vocal sounds to add emotional depth to their performance, even if they are not singing.

Answer: Dancers can use vocal sounds like sighs, gasps, or exclamations to express feelings, vary their breathing to show tension or release, and use vocal cues to emphasize certain movements or moments.

Question 7: Explain how a dancer's use of spatial awareness (e.g., proximity to other dancers, use of space) can reflect emotional states during a performance.

Answer: Close proximity to others can indicate intimacy or tension, while maintaining distance can suggest detachment or isolation. Using space dynamically can reflect feelings such as freedom, confidence, or constraint.

Question 8: Describe how lighting and costume choices can enhance the expressive qualities of a dance performance.

Answer: Lighting can set mood and highlight emotional moments, such as soft lighting for tenderness or stark lighting for intensity. Costume choices can reflect the character’s personality or emotional state, reinforcing the story or mood.

Question 9: Reflect on a dance performance you have seen or performed. What was one particular moment where expressive skills significantly enhanced the storytelling? Describe the moment and how expression was used effectively.

Answer: A student’s answer should include a description of a specific moment, such as a facial expression, gesture, or movement that conveyed a clear emotion, and explain how this helped communicate the story or feeling to the audience.