1. Choreography: Use of Space
Mapping the Route

2. Air Pathways Describe shapes in space around the body
Leading to definition of body shapes
Awareness of the pathway of a gesture
Leads to clarity of form
Allows the audience to prepare for the final shape that the dancer’s body will assume

3. Floor Pathways
The route along which the dancer travels through the general space of the stage
When we DRIVE we may need a map to guide us to our destination
The dancer moves along a designated path from one point on the stage to another

4. Closed & Open Pathways
Both Air & Floor pathways have a beginning point and an end point
If we start & finish at the same point (the same place) then the pathways is a CLOSED PATHWAY
If we start at one point and finish at a different place from where we began the pathway is a CLOSED PATHWAY
Both of these pathways can utilise, high, medium & low levels

5. Air Pathways –Flexible Space
Movements can carve the space around us (curves & twists)
Gather space into the body
Arms & legs can move “on circle”
The space being moved through is rounded and indirect, without easily identified directions

6. Air Pathways –Direct Space
Movements can be spoke like – travelling in straight lines
Cutting actions into & out of the centre of the body
Straight lines & angles are a direct use of space
Space is being cut through in a specific direction

7. Practical bit!! Stand up & make AIR pathways around your body
Keep your feet in one spot & using an imaginary paintbrush draw air pathways around yourself
Carve the space then pierce the space
Write your name - don’t forget to use high, medium & low levels
as individual letters
As cursive letters (joined up)

8. Air Pathways - DVD
Ch2 L1
Dwight Rhoden works with dancers from North Carolina Dance Theatre
Beginning section of VERGE
Dancers describe air pathways in space whilst in silhouette
All dancers must be very clear on the size & timing of each pathway
The dancers stay in one spot and describe the space around them using their arms & torso

9. Floor Pathways
To understand floor pathways trace a route from Nottingham to London going via Birmingham
Trace the route using STRAIGHT LINES (Motorways)
Trace the route going via more scenic routes, (B roads)
We can map dances in exactly the same way

10. MAPS - PATHWAYS O X
Straight Diagonal Pathway

11. MAPS - PATHWAYS O X O X
Straight Diagonal Pathway
Zig Zag Pathway

12. MAPS - PATHWAYS X O
Curved Pathway

13. MAPS - PATHWAYS X X O O
Curved Pathway
Straight Pathway

14. Design your own Map for the stage
The hand out is an example of different types of pathways
It can be used as a gallery for ideas
Air to Floor: Ch2 L1B

15. From Floor to Air
Look at your pathways and DRAW the pathway in the air
This is your air pathway.
Don’t move in the space, keep at least one foot on the ground
Simply translate the drawn pathways into body movements by drawing the paths in the air (use your arms, legs, torso, shoulder head etc)

16. Pathway Dance
Creating an original AIR to FLOOR pathway dance that includes both kinds of pathways
Design an AIR pathway that can translate into full body movement following a predesigned pathway guide
Translate the air pathway to the floor using locomotor movements that cover the whole stage space
Repeat the air pathway material with variations in timing & direction

17. Groups in Space
Watch how Alonzo King uses varied floor patterns for the dancers in this dance from CHANTS
In groups of 4, the dancers follow a carefully designed patter in a square formation and along a diagonal
Note how the directness of the lines cuts through the space.
The dancers move with little runs, big jumps, and turns of all kinds
DVD Ch2 L1C

18. Points to consider in Choreography
Chose the actions along the pathway carefully
Is it follow the leader or side-by-side?
Do you travel forwards, backwards, sideways?
Have you changed levels along the pathway?
Do you have contact (physical/visual) as you travel?
Are you in unison?
Is the arrival at the end interesting?
How do you lead into each pathway?
Is there a clear beginning & end to this short dance?

19. Inspirations for choreography
Look at a painting
Choose movement both in the air and on the floor that clearly describes all the different pathways that appear in the painting
Because the painting conatins all the l;ines & curves at once, find a way for your dancers to perform the pathways at the same time
Dancers may exit & enter at different times
Throw a dice to decide who enters/exits/moves first

20. DVD From CHANTS See the stage as if it were a painting
The stage space is painted with the movements of the dancers
Watch how each dancer/group enters/exits through the stage space seemingly unaware of each other, but somehow belonging together
The scene is reminiscent of a watering hole on the African Savanna in the early morning
The dancers enter the dance space with their own dance phrase as if they were animals, a little wary of those around them & eager to leave as soon as a sip of water has been taken