Phrasing is a continual releasing of energy into the surrounding environment. With any motion, the slightest shift of timing can carry remarkable impact. When a phrase is shortened or lengthened just slightly, the performer’s sense of time, space, focus and of the quality of movement changes. Everything changes. The musicality of movement itself becomes more evident as it is tried, played, repeated, and nuanced. Furthermore, performers learn that the overall duration of any movement has a strong effect.
In this course, students will make new phrases every week as a base for experimentation. They will teach them to others, will observe differences of timing in their own performing and that of others. Occasionally, they will write short observations about experiments with time. Furthermore, they will use drawing to help clarify their own musicality and help “listen” to the musicality of others. All students will be contributing their own perspectives and approaches and working toward their own understanding of the work at hand.
Learning Outcomes:
Discover more about one’s personal nature and sense of time.
Notice the interrelationship of timing to space, quality of movement, and focus in all things observed.
Learn to articulate, verbally and visually, what one notices.
Hone observational and feedback skills.
Develop and alter phrases swiftly and nimbly.
Delivery Method: Fully in-person
Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor. Please e-mail dreitz@bennington.edu regarding your interest prior to registration day.
Corequisites: Dance or Drama lab assignment if students sign up for 4 or more credits in dance. Participation in Dance Workshop (Th 7:00-8:30 PM) is highly recommended.
Course Level: 4000-level
Credits: 2
Th 3:40PM - 5:30PM (Full-term)
Maximum Enrollment: 20
Course Frequency: Once a year
Categories: All courses , Dance , Fully In-Person , Updates
Tags: dance , movement , performing , phrasing