Mauri By Stephen Bradshaw

There are 6 parts to a dance performance: Theme of the Dance (Ideas, Moods, Emotions) Choreographic Features (Elements of Dance, Choreographic Structures and Devices, Visual/Aural Designs) Production Technologies (Lighting, Sound, Costuming, Set, Props, Makeup, Accompaniment) Characteristics of the Genre or Style of Dance Performers (Age, Gender, Skill, Number) Performance Context or Setting (Stage, Outdoors)

So What do we know so far??? * A material symbol of a life principle ‘MAURI’ (title) stands for: * The life force of the land and the people * A material symbol of a life principle * A source of emotions * Special nature

Stephen Bradshaw explains… Theme Stephen Bradshaw explains… The whole meaning, purpose or ‘Choreographic Intention’ behind Mauri was: 1. About life force and energy – the connection between people and the natural world - our relationship with spirituality and beliefs 2. creation of life (out of the earth) - connection to the sky and underwater - taking on the form of different animals (mother bird with her chicks)

Stephen Bradshaw explains… Theme Stephen Bradshaw explains… The whole meaning, purpose or ‘Choreographic Intention’ behind Mauri was: 3. telling a story/connection to Maori - through slow motion Haka moves - shapes and forms of weaving (plaits, kete, mats, tukutuku)

CHOREOGRAPHIC FEATURES #1 Time Body Elements of Dance Space Relationships Energy

In mauri . . . Find one specific movement in the dance that uses The Elements to help communicate a theme. How does it do it? Lets describe it together

Choreographic features #2 CHOREOGRAPHIC DEVICES: Augmentation Canon Embellishment Fragmentation Insertion Instrumentation Inversion Motif Repetition Retrograde

In mauri . . . Find one specific movement in the dance that uses The Devices to help communicate a theme. How does it do it? Lets describe it together

Choreographic Features #3 CHOREOGRAPHIC STRUCTURES: Accumulation Binary Structure Canon Chance Narrative Rhondo Ternary Structure Theme and Variation Unison

In mauri . . . Find one specific movement in the dance that uses The Structures to help communicate a theme. How does it do it? Lets describe it together

PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES Costuming . . .

WHAT WHY?

Production TEchnologies Make-up . . .

The Music in Mauri: The soundtrack by DLT or Darryl Thompson helped to support the dance in many different ways A lot of traditional Maori instruments were used to support the intention behind the dance, and to connect to the beliefs of the Choreographer

Production technologies Sound . . . Koauau – Maori flute made from either Bone or Wood

Sound The Koauau instrument makes a flute like sound which signifies the sound of a bird calling or signalling. In times gone by, the tones of the Koauau were used to gain the attention and affections of the opposite sex (females). It was also an instrument of status. Originally only chiefs and people of power or importance possessed or played this instrument, as the melody gained a level of respect.

SOUND Within the dance, the sound of the Koauau helped to set the theme of a Powhiri. A Powhiri is a traditional welcoming in Maori tradition. This links to the dance piece as the birth of life or welcoming people/the spirits into this world. It also relates to the fact that the dancers were trying to ‘find the light’ through their movements, hence a birth of a child or animal…

Production technologies Sound . . . Tumutumu – Maori percussion instrument made from tapping together Bone and Wood

SOUND The Tumutumu was an instrument that was traditionally played in the ‘whare purakau’ or house of learning. It was originally thought that the regular patterning was used to help keep the pace of oral learning and promoted human thought.

Sound What are the instruments/sounds that have been used in the other parts of the dance? Slow Motion Haka Section? Section with Unison? Underwater section with solo dancing? Weaving Section?

LIGHTING First we will look at the OPENING SEQUENCE. Which Lighting functions have been used in this sequence??? HOW? How has this added interest to the opening? Why would the Choreographer have chosen to do this?

Contemporary Style Think about the movement in Mauri. Write down 3 key words that stood out from the notes about Contemporary Dance. How do these words link back to the dance. For Example: “architecture of the body in space” – this to me relates to the use of space by the 3 dancers in the weaving section. They used their bodies to slowly build up the movement whilst making a figure of 8 pattern.

THE PERFORMERS The performers come from: ATAMIRA DANCE COMPANY Atamira Dance Company is New Zealand’s leading Maori contemporary dance company and is made up of some of New Zealand’s leading Maori dancers and choreographers. The company creates professional dance drawing upon Aotearoa’s history, legends, contemporary issues, personal stories and whakapapa.

THE performers Atamira is an Auckland based dance company Every member is Maori and has tribal connections right around New Zealand. This diversity is reflected in the individual strengths each performer brings to the company. The literal meaning of the word Atamira is "stage“ A deeper meaning behind Atamira relates traditionally to the platform for the dead body, and the process of caring for those who have died.

THE PERFORMERS How do you think this added interest to the dance?