ELEMENTS

OF
DANCE

Prima Rose A. Palgue

XII- Love
 SPACE

This is the area the performers

occupy and where they move.
It can be divided into four
different aspects, also known as
spatial elements.
a. Direction

Dance movements can travel in any

direction. The performers can go forward,
side, backward, diagonal, circular, and so
on. They may also face any direction while
executing a single movement or several
phrases.
b. Size

Movements can be varied by

doing larger or smaller actions
c. Level

Movements can be done in a

high, medium, or low level.
c. Focus

Performers may
change their
focus by looking
at different
direction
 TIMING

The movements in timing may

be executed in different tempo
(speed).
Performers move with the
tempo of an underlying sound,
known as beat or pulse.
 DANCE ENERGIES
The movements here propelled by
energy or force. A force can either
initiate or stop an action. Dance uses
different energies and a varied use of
these minimizes the monotony of the
movements in a performance. There
are 6 qualities of dance energy.
 QUALITIES OF DANCE ENERGY

1. SUSTAINED 2. PERCUSSIVE 3. VIBRATORY

Movements are done Movements are Movements consist of

smoothly, continuously, explosive or sharp in trembling or shaking. A
and with flow and contrast with sustained faster version of
control. It does not movements. They are percussive movements
have a clear beginning accented with thrust of that produces a jittery
and ending. energy. They have effect.
clear beginning and
ending.
 QUALITIES OF DANCE ENERGY

4. SWINGING 5. SUSPENDED 3. COLLAPSING

Movements trace a Movements are Movements are

curved line or arc in perched in space or released in tension and
space. The movements hanging on air. gradually or abruptly
are relaxed and giving Holding a raised leg in giving in to gravity,
in to gravity on the any direction is an letting the body
downward part of the example of a descend on the floor. A
motion, followed by an suspended movement. slow collapse can be
upward application of described as a melting
energy or oozing action in
downward direction.
 BODILY SHAPES

It refers to how the entire body is molded in

space or the configuration of body parts.
The body can be rounded, angular, or
combination of two. Other body shapes can
be from wide to narrow, and from high to
low.
 BODILY SHAPES

SYMMETRICAL

Balanced shape;

Movements are
practically identical or
similar on both sides
 BODILY SHAPES

ASYMMETRICAL

Unbalanced shape;

Movements of two sides of

the body do not match or
completely different from
each other.
 GROUP SHAPES

In this element, a group of dancers perform

movements in different group shapes. They
are arranged in ways that are wide,
narrow, rounded, angular, symmetrical, or
asymmetrical, and are viewed together as
a total picture or arrangement within a
picture frame.
Symmetrical group shape Asymmetrical group shape