American Theatrical Dance - Essay Example

?AMERICAN DANCE Introduction: American Theatrical Dance American theatrical dance form is an expressive art. It owns its root during 1960 and 1970. The style and ways of expression has changed from time to time in Theatrical American dance form. Today, American theatrical dance is much more sophisticated in terms of new technique and technology. The American theatrical dance evolved in its true sense during 20th century. With its diversified movement terminologies, individual choreographic inclinations, cultural and social concerns American theatrical dance has been an indispensable touchstone and national treasure. American theatrical dance has expanded through a progression of generations numerous build on the work, thus creating a pedigree marked by innovation. This form of dance cannot be neatly defined. It is a form of style of American modern dance evolving through quest of discoveries and shares the communicative potential of human association. In true sense American theatrical dance comprises of Broadway, modern and ballet forms of dancing style. These forms of dance depict the economic and cultural changes happening in the society. From time to time they have enacted on issues of social significance and always conveyed some messages to the audience through their theatrical dance performances. These dancing form pioneered dance in bare foot and elegant costumes. They portray a form of social affirmation and were means of expressing nation’s and society’s power (Brown). The society values theatrical dance as a communicative and bonding experience forming a well-developed structure of communication. This essay will focus on the two forms of American modern dance that is Broadway and Ballet, and how are they different to each other. Broadway Theatrical Dance: Broadway dance forms a part of the modern American theatrical dance. It can be classified as an incorporation of jazz and modern style accompanied with theater and music. At the beginning of the Broadway dance people were tricked and amazed by the concepts of Broadway Theater as this pioneered a dancing form with play’s plot. Initially Broadway was not taken as a serious theatrical dance. People were uncertain about the entire structure of the dance form. But later it evolved as a dance form which had a social message for the society. Soon after, Broadway started gaining popularity amongst the audience as fusion of jazz and modern art dance. This form of theatrical dance was incorporated with exceptional movement and unconventional use of body parts. The entire act was supported by the usage of props, integration of personalities, storytelling of a incident. The entire performance was choreographed and presented through lucid expressions. The entire performances take place with music playing backstage. The music is played as per the theme of the subject matter of the performance. With changing time span Broadway musical took off. It popularity enhanced day by day and gained recognition as an artistic form of theater. Broadway dance form exerted profound influence in the New York life tradition and culture. Their themes were realistic with a touch of whimsical feel. As per the critics it attracted the serious theater goers who were deeply moved by the socio-economical concerns of the society. During its early stage the middle class New Yorkers used to be its target audience. Their theme appealed to them to a great extends. Broadway theatrical evolved as an assembly of multidimensional talents. It consisted of a group of singers, dancers, actors, musicians who emerged as celebrities. Famous Broadway personalities included Anna held, Lillian Russell, Marilyn Miller, DeWolf Hoppe, Ray Bolger etc. These eminent personalities had been a part of this theatrical dance from time to time. Robert Alton had been a choreographer of this dance form who brought out the first modern dances closely related to many dance performances in New York stage today. Nowadays dance performances have become dominated in the Broadway theatrical. During late 1990’s Bring in da Noise, Bring in’ da Funk has been regarded as the biggest dance musicals of Broadway Theater. Broadway now generates music in under the shade of the older musicals. It seems that Broadway has audience from every generations and it reproduce its performances as per the preferences of its audience creating and innovation new styles from the old favorites (Brown 7-13). Ballet Theatrical Dance: Like Broadway, Ballet theatrical dancing form also forms a part of the American theatrical dance. Ballet owned its root of origin in America in 1957. The dance form evolved through a struggle in-between the European dance form and an authentic American ballet dance form. After a thrash about amongst the two, a new form of dance came into existence which own more of its similarities with the American ballet dance form. Soon after that, it became a part of the American theatrical dance. During 1957 American Ballet Theater was formed in its true sense. The ballet dance form of America was structured in influence of choreographer George Balanchine who brought the ballet dancing form in America. The dance form movements were structured in response to the music rather than the storyline. The dance form was mainly accompanied with the five positions of the feet using expressions of movement. Ballet dance had been the ancient dance form in the western world. With the changing scenarios ballet evolved as a light hearted entertainment through music. It was considered as the expression of life emoted through the bodily movements. The main concern of the ballet dance form is the performance of the dance. The intellectual people of the New York society found immense interest in the Ballet dance form. The themes in this dance are influenced by art, poetry, painting etc. The themes are more philosophical and moral in nature. They are choreographed in such a way that it enlightened and edify the audiences with the philosophies of life. Initially it appealed towards the educated mass of the society. The complexities of the dances are the exceptional feature of the ballet dancing form. Images of symmetry, storm like formation, fused subgroup sequence has been the sticking features of dance form. The music scores also exert a great influence over the dance. The compilation of transmitted techniques portrays the contemporary dance form. Ballet dancing displays versatility of the theatrical dancing form as aesthetic and avenues by which it advances. The dance attires are stunning and designed specially as per the themes. Kevin McKenzie, Oliver Smith has been the famous personalities associated with the American Ballet dance (Macaulay). Concluding remarks: Comparison and Contrast: Both the Broadway and Ballet dance form a part of the American Theatrical Dance. Both the dancing form are based on a particular themes accompanied with dancing performance. But they bear a significant difference in terms of their audience. Broadway appealed towards the middle class section of the New Yorkers while Ballet was more famous within the intellectual class of the society. The two dance form had dissimilarities in the themes as well. Broadway indicated towards the socio political issues of the society and always conveyed a message towards the audience. It was more meant for the mass awakening. Ballet, on the other hand, also bear messages for its audience, but the themes were different. Ballet dance were based upon the philosophical, poetical aspects which were merely directed towards the entertainment of the mass. The dance forms share a contrast over their attire style. The attires are gorgeous in both the cases but they were designed in a different way as per the themes of the dance. Broadway focuses more on the theme but ballet focuses more over the dancing performance and postures. Both the dancing forms are different from each other but they are a part of the American theatrical dance. References Brown, Sei Pan, The History of Modern Dance, Ballet Austin 23 July 2013 from: http://www.balletaustin.org/education/documents/HistoryofModernDanceStudentHandout.pdf Macaulay Alastair, Maximizing Performers and History, The New York Times, 2012, 23 July 2013 from: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/22/arts/dance/american-ballet-theater-at-new-york-city-center.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 Read More