CONTEMPORARY DANCE

J.S.S. 1 CCA

Ms. Stella
 Lesson Objectives:

1. State the meaning of contemporary

dance
2. Discuss some features of
contemporary dance movements
3. Create & Perform some contemporary
dance movements
 MEANING OF CONTEMPORARY
DANCE
Contemporary dance is a form of dance
that is a clear departure from the
traditional and ballet dance forms but
draws inspiration from them. It started in
the mid-20th Century.
Contemporary dance is a style of
expressive dance that combines elements
of several dance genres including jazz,
lyrical ballet etc.
Contemporary dance stresses
versatility and improvisation,
unlike the strict, structured
nature of ballet.
Contemporary dancers strive to
connect the mind and the body
through fluid dance movements.
Pioneers of contemporary dance
include Isadora Duncan, Martha
Graham, and Merce Cunningham
because they broke the rules of the
strict forms of ballet. These
dancers/choreographers all believed
that dancers should have freedom of
movement, allowing their bodies to
freely express their innermost
It's important to note, however,
that while Graham moved into
what is now known as modern
dance, and Duncan's style was
uniquely her own,
Cunningham is often spoken of
as the father of contemporary
 FEATURES OF CONTEMPORARY DANCE
1. Creativity and Dynamic – Contemporary dance uses
multiple and simultaneous actions.
2. Individual style – Contemporary dancers are
allowed to bring in their own individual styles,
although would be required to blend it to suit the
ideas and plan of movement of the choreographer.
3. Flexibility in movement- It enables freedom of
movement, allowing dancers bodies to freely
express their innermost feelings.
 FEATURES OF CONTEMPORARY DANCE
4. Expressive and original
5. Elements of ballet and other styles
6. Gravity, floor-work and rolls.
7. Gestures all part of the body
8. Unusual shapes and line
9. Relationships – men dancing with men and
women dancing with women
 FEATURES OF CONTEMPORARY DANCE
10.Groupings – solo, duet, trio, small groups
and large groups.
11.Staging- different areas of the stage become
strong and more than one sequence
performed at a time.
12.Can tell a story, have theme or characters or
no meaning at all.
ASSESSMENT FOR WEEK 7
1. Each gem is expected
prepare and present a
contemporary dance next
class. Time allocated to
each presentation is 4
 NEXT TOPIC:
WORK ETHICS: Team Work and
Sense of Belonging