PROCESS
Research
Tashara uses African dance to portray celebration of life since this style features elements of exultation through movement. For example, many loosely structured, high-energy movements like head releases, arm throws, and chest extensions are commonly found in African dance. These movements suggest happiness and freedom within dancers, fitting appropriately with the theme of celebration.
In order to develop movement for her piece, Tashara has done a great deal of research on different variations within African dance. Many African tribes have their own distinct style, and Tashara enriches her choreography by learning about as many of these variations as she can. She plans to use movement from different tribes together in order to create rich and varied movement.
Tashara has some reservations about her theme, since it goes against the grain of her life at the moment. Recently her life has been “twisted with many downfalls,” within personal and family situations. She has trouble developing movement about celebrating life because of the issues with which she currently struggles. However, she does not want to put a depressing piece on stage. She hopes that working with this theme will help her bring out the positive aspects of her life and that choreographing will help her overcome the challenges she faces.
Rehearsal
Although the movement style of Tashara’s piece is primarily African, during her rehearsal process she allows modern dance to influence her work. The use of modern technique in conjunction with African serves to dilute the high-energy, fast nature of African dance and adds elements of suspension and hesitation into her choreography. By utilizing both African and modern dance styles, Tashara’s choreography will not replicate traditional African dance, but will become a unique style of her own creation.
While choreographing, Tashara gives prepared movement to her dancers. She then creates more movement based on her dancers’ responses to her choreography. Tashara’s dancers often inspire her when they perform her movement differently than she originally intended. She incorporates these variations, created by her dancers, into her work.
Tashara hopes that, after watching her piece, the audience sees the goodness in their own lives. She wants people to understand that what
they choose to do with their lives means something, and that each audience member plays an important part in the lives of those around them. She hopes that her piece inspires others to want to celebrate themselves and the important people in their lives.
Research
Tashara uses African dance to portray celebration of life since this style features elements of exultation through movement. For example, many loosely structured, high-energy movements like head releases, arm throws, and chest extensions are commonly found in African dance. These movements suggest happiness and freedom within dancers, fitting appropriately with the theme of celebration.
In order to develop movement for her piece, Tashara has done a great deal of research on different variations within African dance. Many African tribes have their own distinct style, and Tashara enriches her choreography by learning about as many of these variations as she can. She plans to use movement from different tribes together in order to create rich and varied movement.
Tashara has some reservations about her theme, since it goes against the grain of her life at the moment. Recently her life has been “twisted with many downfalls,” within personal and family situations. She has trouble developing movement about celebrating life because of the issues with which she currently struggles. However, she does not want to put a depressing piece on stage. She hopes that working with this theme will help her bring out the positive aspects of her life and that choreographing will help her overcome the challenges she faces.
Rehearsal
Although the movement style of Tashara’s piece is primarily African, during her rehearsal process she allows modern dance to influence her work. The use of modern technique in conjunction with African serves to dilute the high-energy, fast nature of African dance and adds elements of suspension and hesitation into her choreography. By utilizing both African and modern dance styles, Tashara’s choreography will not replicate traditional African dance, but will become a unique style of her own creation.
While choreographing, Tashara gives prepared movement to her dancers. She then creates more movement based on her dancers’ responses to her choreography. Tashara’s dancers often inspire her when they perform her movement differently than she originally intended. She incorporates these variations, created by her dancers, into her work.
Tashara hopes that, after watching her piece, the audience sees the goodness in their own lives. She wants people to understand that what
they choose to do with their lives means something, and that each audience member plays an important part in the lives of those around them. She hopes that her piece inspires others to want to celebrate themselves and the important people in their lives.