Choreographic Processes, Structure and Form
How a dance is made: starting from a stimulus, improvising and developing movement, then structuring it using forms like binary, ternary and rondo.
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Making a dance 💃
A dance does not appear ready-made. A choreographer builds it through a process, usually starting from a stimulus, an idea or starting point. They improvise, then select and develop movement, then structure and refine it. The way the sections are arranged is called the form, such as binary or ternary.
Words for choreography 🔑
Learn these four terms before you study how a dance is built.
Three forms 🆚
Choreographers arrange sections using different forms.
Grade 9 thinking 💡
To reach the top grades, explain how the choreographic process and the choice of form shape the meaning for the audience, not just naming each step.
Match the process to its meaning 🔗
- researching
- improvising
- selecting
- refining
- gathering ideas from the stimulus
- exploring movement freely
- choosing the best material to keep
- polishing and improving the movement
Match the form to its structure 🧩
- binary
- ternary
- rondo
- narrative
- a two-part form written as AB
- a three-part form written as ABA
- a form where one section returns, as in ABACAD
- a form that tells a story
What is a stimulus? ❓
What is a stimulus in dance?
- A starting point or idea for creating a dance.
- The final performance of the dance.
- A type of stage.
Choreographic processes ✅
Select the TWO choreographic processes.
- Improvising to explore movement.
- Refining the finished material.
- Performing the dance to an audience.
- Designing the theatre building.
Order the process 🪜
An interactive activity.
Summarise the process 📝
A dance often starts from a _____, an idea or starting point. The choreographer _____ to explore movement, then selects and _____ the best material. The dance is arranged using a _____, such as binary or ternary. Smooth links between sections are called _____.
Count the sections 🔢
An interactive activity.
Spot the true statements 🖍️
An interactive activity.
Which form is it? 🧭
An interactive activity.
Explain the process ✍️
An interactive activity.