Concert: Performance and Review Worksheet

California State University, East Bay Department of Theater and Dance

Instructor: Laura Elaine Ellis
Office: P.E. 118 Phone: 885-4641

Dance Concert Review Worksheet
Assignment Guidelines

Choose a dance performance that you will attend.
You will need to bring a small notepad and pencil with you for note taking.
Arrive to the theater at least 15 minutes prior to curtain.
Write down the name of the theater and make a note regarding the type of theater.
Get 2 concert programs from the theater usher, one to attach to the worksheet and one to keep for yourself.
Peruse the program before the concert begins.
Notice the following information usually identified in the program:
a. Choreographer(s) presented
b. Company or companies performing
c. Composer(s) or type of music used
d. Is it an evening-length work or mixed repertory?
Jot down brief notes after each section of an evening-length work or each dance of a mixed repertory considering the following:
a. Style(s) of dance being performed.
b. Your initial feeling or thoughts about this section or dance.
c. What do you think the choreographer intended to convey with this section or dance?
After the concert, mark in your notes one section or dance that you want to highlight for your review worksheet.

Refer to your notes and these guidelines when filling out the review worksheet.
Fill out the review worksheet completely. The review worksheet must be typewritten. Handwritten worksheets will not receive credit. Attach a copy of the concert program to the back of the review worksheet.
(Papers handed in late will not receive full credit.)

Note: Posters and flyers advertising dance concerts are posted on a bulletin board in P.E. 140. You will also find listings, under dance, in the calendar or arts and entertainment sections of Bay Area newspapers, or on-line.

California State University, East Bay Department of Theater and Dance

Name:
Course(s):

Dance Concert Review Worksheet

Date of Concert: 2/21/14

Name of Performance Space: Dance Mission Theater

Type of Performance Space: (i.e. concert stage, studio theater, festival platform)
Studio Theater
Concert Title (if any): Black Choreographers Festival

Is this concert an evening-length work or a mix repertory dance concert? Mix repertory dance concert

Title of section or dance you selected to highlight: Luminous Exposure

Name of Company or dancer(s) performing this section or dance: Aya Best, Kionna Costello, Richard Curtis, Brandeja Guinn, Imani James, Najah, Miller, Nahlah Nasir, Malia Tymous, Jarrod Mayo

Name of Choreographer(s) for this section or dance: Maia Siani

Name of Composer(s) or Music used for this section or dance: Harpoon by Scuba, Black and Gold by Sam Sparro, and Latch by Disclosure

What style of dance was performed in this work? Mixed style-, jazz, and elements of ballet and hip-hop

Please answer the following questions in 5 to 8 sentences:

Describe what you remember most about this section or dance? (i.e. was it provocative, emotive, puzzling…) The most stand-out aspect of this section of dance was the precise and clean movement of the dancers. There were 10 dancers on the stage and they all moved with sharp yet easy movement. They were able to express themselves through the dance and give a presence that was truly unforgettable. The dance was exciting and edgy! The bright clothes that the dancers wore also made the piece stand out.

What do you think the choreographer intended to convey with this section or dance? I believe the choreographer wanted to show, more than anything, the amazing talent of the young dancers that performed in this piece. The fact that each person has their own moment to shine was incredible and you could really see each person come alive in each moment. The music was very upbeat and has lyrics that referred to breaking down barriers etc. This made me think that choreographer wanted the audience to know that the dancers in this piece are capable of anything and won’t let anything stop them.

Did you like or dislike this work and why? I really enjoyed this piece. I not only enjoyed the technique of the different styles of dance, but I enjoyed the feeling the piece brought to me. The dancers put their all in the moves and that made the piece that much more special. I really liked the fact that there were different elements of multiple dance styles in the piece. There was a lot of elongation of legs which made me think of a jazz/ballet style and the sharp and precise movement gave the piece a hip-hop feel.