Choreographic Content and Devices
A choreographer shapes movement into a dance. Learn the four types of content that make up any dance, and the devices, from motif to canon, that a choreographer uses to develop and structure it.
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Building a dance 💃
A choreographer does not just string moves together. They shape movement using four kinds of content, and a set of devices that develop and structure the dance. This module covers those four types of content and the main choreographic devices.
The four types of content 🔑
Any dance is built from four types of content. Learn them first.
Unison or canon? ⚖️
Two of the most common devices control how a group of dancers times their movement.
Match the content 🔗
- Action content
- Dynamic content
- Spatial content
- Relationship content
- What the body does, like a jump or a turn
- How a movement is done, like fast or strong
- Where the movement happens, like levels and pathways
- How the dancers work with each other
Which content? 🎯
A dancer performs a movement quickly and with great force. Which type of content is this?
- Dynamic content
- Action content
- Spatial content
- Relationship content
The motif: the heart of a dance 💡
A motif is a key movement phrase that captures the choreographic idea. Choreographers use motif development to change a motif, through its action, space, dynamics or relationships, so the dance stays linked together while still growing and staying interesting.
Match the device 🔀
- Motif
- Repetition
- Contrast
- Climax
- A key movement phrase that captures the idea
- Performing a movement again to reinforce it
- Placing very different movements together
- The moment of greatest intensity in a dance
Which are devices? ✅
Which TWO of these are choreographic devices, not types of content? Choose all that apply.
- Motif
- Canon
- Action content
- Spatial content
Growing a motif 🪜
An interactive activity.
Complete the sentences 🧩
What the body does, such as a jump or a turn, is _____ content. How a movement is done, such as fast or strong, is _____ content. A key movement phrase that captures the idea is a _____. When dancers move at the same time, this is _____. When they move one after another, this is _____.
Spot the devices 🖍️
An interactive activity.
Unison or canon? 🔍
Three dancers perform the same movement one after another, so it looks like a ripple. Which device is this?
- Canon
- Unison
- Contrast
- Motif
Which device fits? 🧭
An interactive activity.
Shape a dance ✍️
An interactive activity.