The research project I conducted was named A study of the relationship between dancing and acting, with focus on how practical acting study affects dancers aesthetic presentation and career. I am pleased to report that the connection between the two arts was found in regards to how acting lessons can improve a dancer.
The results clearly show that a dancer who studies acting is not only given a bigger range of career opportunities and a well-rounded training to encompass a give a dance the ability to give a full performance beyond technique; but they are better equipped to deal with emotions. The dancing world needs people who are well developed emotionally in order for them to know how to express choreographic stories, deal with the pressures of intense training and critique, and be able to adapt to their lifestyle if/when they cannot dance. If a dancer does not learn to express themselves several negative things can develop within their being, such as, depression or an eating disorder.
Vocational dance schools are including drama lessons as a larger part of the curriculum however I feel they need to explain the reasons for this so they understand how it can help their dancing, meaning the commitment and effort in the drama lessons will be improved and lessons will not be passed up on so pupils can spend more time developing their dance technique.
The results of the research show that studying drama has an extremely positive effect on the aesthetic presentation of a dancer, but more importantly on the emotional development of a person. Thus meaning they are able to see themselves as more than a dancer but as a person capable of achieving anything they want to.
Positives:
· Gain better emotional development equalling in less chance of depression or eating disorder
· Learn to express and act so can give expressive performance with face and body not just create choreographic shapes.
· Allows dancers to take a break from constant strife for perfection and build their confidence, meaning dancers can come back to the rehearsal room rejuvenated.
· Learn breathing techniques which help stamina and movements
· Release tensions
· Allows dancer to become a double threat meaning they have more job opportunities.
Negatives:
· Takes up more time – extracting time from rehearsals or free time.
Recommendations:
· Vocational dance training to incorporate/include dance lessons and explain to pupils reasoning behind it.
· Dance teachers to play drama games and get pupils to think of characterisation in order to develop a rounded performance/dancer.
· Musical Theatre classes to start with drama in order to get dancers thinking as full performers not just technicians
· Vocational training colleges to start day with acting to allow pupils to relax, build confidence, think about emotions and wake up their minds so they can think about what they are doing. Most dance colleges start the day with ballet class as it is basis to all dance techniques, however if pupils minds are not awake and they do not know who to express themselves the class becomes nothing more than running through the motions without any progress being made except warmer muscles.
Alys your findings seem to have led on to some very practical benefits from the study of drama- interesting about the connections with the development with emotions. This was always a solutions driven project because you are both a performer and teacher. I look forward to reading your drafts talking about this work in more detail.
ReplyDeleteDear Alys,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading through your project summary blog and feel excited about the topic you chose for your project report. I feel you have pinpointed and highlighted an issue that has been long called for in the dance world. As a ballet dancer myself, I personally feel that the profession is developing more gymnastic tendencies and neglecting the acting and artistic elements that makes dance special and separates it from other arts or sports. I have had numerous conversations with teachers and colleagues whereby the general feeling has been that there is a lack of effective instruction for acting and developing performance quality in dancers. I am excited to see a correlation between my project and yours in that I found in general there is a lack of communication in the dance community and you have also found that dancers’ inability to express themselves can result in negative effects. I hope that both our projects will voice this issue and that your findings will be able to supply a way to help dancers communicate and express their feelings both in their own lives and through performance.
Bravo Alys! I think I’ve become almost as passionate about your project as my own!
Thanks for your comment Laura. It is good to know my work is appreciated! I would be interested to hear your presentation but I have to get a flight that afternoon so will miss it, good luck though!
ReplyDeleteWell Done for completing the degree!