The Dance: A Handbook for the Appreciation of the Choreographic Experience

by Joan Cass

In dance, the choreographer creates, the dancer performs and the viewer observes. This work is a handbook for the viewer. By presenting historical and artistic perspectives of dance, dance events are made more approachable and appreciation for the art form is heightened. The choreographic components of body language, content, structure, music, design and interpretation are included. Also discussed is the development of critical reaction over time. Examples are drawn from Western theatrical dance and worldwide cultural variations. Terms are explained throughout the text, and an extensive bibliography gives sources in print and on tape for further study. Instructors considering this book for use in a course may .

245 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1999

Reviews

[Shawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe there just shouldn't be too much writing at all about dance? Gosh, I appreciate dance as well as enjoy reading books, but cannot stomach books about dance! Sure, take note of the names of choreographers & pieces, but man oh man, reading about how a choreographed scene unfolds, or of the impulses behind a piece by Martha Graham, or how dance reflects phases of life, or about a whole piece performed by a solo dancer, or of how they were trying to portray sex, or domination, or grief, or counter-culture blah blah blah. Just watch dance, or take a dance class. An hour spent in a modern dance class w/bare feet & 'granola' dancers, or in a hip-hop class w/sneakers & some tension to let off, will be much more rewarding, informing, and transforming for those curious about dance. There just aren't too many things to write about it--it's meant to be taken in. Books on dance need be no more than one hundred pages! Fewer the words the better, and more pictures, drawings, maybe some arrow diagrams of blocking/choreography, drawings of axes & planes, more examples of notation schemes, etc. It was fine on the analysis. It offered a generous list of choreographers & their pieces, about one third of which can be viewed online, (see “Triadic Ballet”, wow!) and there were many aspects of dance that were discussed (costumes, designs, partners, styles, business) but after a while, the reading felt laborious and redundant. Sure, people can dig as deep as they like into the meaning of a modern dance piece, or puzzle over some avante garde work, but how many words should one spend on describing dance?