Question 1: Define 'expressive skills' in dance and explain why they are important during a performance.

Answer: Expressive skills are techniques used by dancers to convey emotions, ideas, or stories to the audience. They are important because they help communicate the intended message and enhance the overall impact of the performance.

Question 2: Describe three different ways a dancer can use facial expressions to express emotion during a performance.

Answer: A dancer can use facial expressions such as smiling to show happiness, frowning or furrowing eyebrows to show concern or sadness, and widening eyes to express surprise or excitement.

Question 3: Explain how posture and body language contribute to expressing mood in a dance piece.

Answer: Posture and body language reflect a dancer's emotional state; for example, slouched shoulders can indicate sadness or fatigue, while upright, open postures can show confidence or happiness. These cues help the audience interpret the mood of the dance.

Question 4: Imagine you are performing a dance that shows a story of joyful celebration. List three expressive skills you would emphasize and how you would use them.

Answer: I would emphasize bright facial expressions like smiling, energetic gestures such as raised arms, and lively movements to show enthusiasm and happiness, helping to communicate the joyful mood.

Question 5: Draw a simple figure of a dancer in a pose that expresses surprise or excitement. Describe what features you would include in your sketch to show this emotion.

Answer: A correct sketch would show the dancer with wide-open eyes, a mouth open in an 'O' shape, arms raised or spread out, and an upright, energetic stance. The overall body language should convey enthusiasm or surprise.

Question 6: Identify and describe one way a dancer can use their eyes to enhance expressive performance.

Answer: A dancer can use eye contact to connect with the audience or other dancers, or use wide-eyed expressions to show surprise or wonder, thereby adding emotional depth to the performance.

Question 7: Explain how a change in speed of movement can affect the emotional expression in a dance performance.

Answer: Speed can convey different emotions: fast movements can express excitement or urgency, while slow movements can communicate calmness, sadness, or introspection. Altering speed helps tell the story more effectively.

Question 8: Describe how a dancer might use their arms and hands to express a feeling of longing or yearning.

Answer: A dancer might extend their arms forward with slightly cupped hands, and keep their face looking towards the direction of the longing, using gentle, elongated movements to show desire or yearning.

Question 9: Sketch a dance pose that demonstrates confidence. Include notes on the body language and facial expression you would use.

Answer: A correct sketch would show the dancer standing tall with shoulders back, head held high, arms confidently positioned either on hips or raised, and a facial expression of determination or pride.

Question 10: Reflect on a dance performance you have seen or performed. Describe how the use of expressive skills enhanced the overall impact of the performance.

Answer: The expressive skills, such as powerful facial expressions and dynamic movements, helped convey the story and emotions clearly, making the performance more engaging and memorable for the audience.