Debbie Gresham, Dance, Bradley Middle School
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Synopsis: My unit will focus on the elements of dance vocabulary and how these elements can be used to choreograph movement to the music from The Wiz. My focus will be on literary themes from both the movie, The Wiz and the MGM movie, The Wizard of Oz, and the relationships these stories have with the dance elements of time, space, energy, and relationships of the main characters.
Part one of the unit will focus on choreography and the movement of individuals within the dance space. I will focus specifically on pathways, gestures, and pedestrian movements.
Part two of the unit will focus on the vocabulary of time, space, energy, relationships, shapes, levels, pathways, directions, transitions, tempo, rhythms, speed, locomotor and non-locomotor movement, and pedestrian movement.
Part three will focus on the choreographic themes of Accumulation and Chance. Accumulation will involve adding movements when each character is introduced. Chance will occur as students roll the dice to see what order the movements are performed in. Students will also explore the performance elements of stage space, props, sets and use of costumes.
Part four will include a career project focusing on the relation to dance, theatre, music, and film.