Arkansas State Communication Association

Drama Units and Activities

SMALL GROUP CHOREOGRAPHY

Unit(s): Stage Movement

Purpose:

To acquaint students with small group ensemble movement used in musicals

To expose students to music from different eras and to different types of music

Objective:

Students will choreograph themselves in a small group using stated movements and era music.

Materials:

Four minute tape

Tape player

Procedure:

Group Size: 5 - 7 dancers
Dance Time: Approximately 4 minutes
Dance Practice Time: 6 class days
Each group is to elect a dance captain and select a name.

Music: The teacher gives each group a different tape. Each tape includes a selection from each type.
     Chutney
     Classical
     Current Pop        About a 30 second segment
     Past Pop              from six of these
     50's
     60's
     R & B
     Country

Students may exchange three selections. Each exchange must be of the same type of song originally in that place. The time must be kept the same on all exchanges. The classic medley and the chutney may not be changed. The order may be rearranged but the chutney must be last.

Tape examples:

Medley #1

Motown Philly - pop

Do You Love Me - 50's

Classical Medley - Classics

Respect - R & B

Twist and Shout - 60 's

One - Chutney

Medley #2

Low Friends in Low Places - Country

Bandstand Boogie - 50's

Classical Medley - classics

Aquarius - 60's

Wild Thing - R & B

Come to the Cabaret - Chutney

Choreography Requirements:

*No dance set longer than two eight counts

Opening frozen position
One group clap (everyone claps once at the same time. There may be multiple clapping at other times.)
One solo - either lip sync or a dance solo (others are backup)
Floor work - everyone is on the floor doing something
One group carry on prop (like a bench, something that takes the entire group to get on stage)
Minimum of 2 carry-on props per each dancer to be used anytime during the dance.
One contagion (wave)
One skit acted out to a portion of the music (the classical usually works best for this)
One gymnastics (solo or group)
Closing frozen position

Costume Required - group choice!

Color coordinated or matching in style
Layers and bright colors have been successful
Stay away from all black design
No shoes or jewelry
Remember hair treatment
Footwear - colored socks / bare feet / black socks

                               CHOREOGRAPHY CHECK LIST
                                                 In Any Order



Group Name______________________________________________

Technical and  Artistic Evaluation
*No dance set longer than two eight counts

______Opening frozen position

______Group Clap

______One Contagion

______Gymnastics Stunt - one or all

______Solo Dance or lip sync routine (other members are backup)

______Group Skit

______Two Hand Props for each dancer

______One group prop to dance around

______Floor work - everybody

______Closing position


Costume Evaluation

______Hair treatment (style and accessories)

______Body - all must be the same style or color: avoid solid black

______Footwear - colored or black socks or bare feet


Final Dance Grade:_________

     Basic Requirements (Technical Grade)______
     Artistic Evaluation_______
     Costume Grade________

Arkansas State Communication Association

Teaching Guidelines

Arkansas Guidelines

Drama Units and Activities

SMALL GROUP CHOREOGRAPHY