relationships

Unison

When all of the dancers in the group perform the same movement at the same time. Sometimes dancers may not perform exactly the same movement but they will be doing it at the same time.

Canon

When one or more dancers move after each other. Simple canon is when a dancer dances and entire or part of a motif and is followed by another dancer and so on, sometimes overlapping. Another way is if the dancers perform only sections of the motif – where one dancer starts and the others join in part way through the motif.

Mirror Image

Similar to unison but one or more dancers perform the action using the other side of the body, or travel in the opposite direction as if there was a mirror in the middle. It can be used to create symmetry and can even be used by dancers who cross each other’s space

Contact

When dancers lift, touch, lean, balance or support each other.

Complementary

When dancers perform movements that are similar but not exactly the same as each other. Usually at the same time. A bit like a shadow. For example one dancer could be leaping across the stage, another running and another walking. walking.

Contrasting

When dancers perform movements that have different dynamics or different shapes. Usually at the same time. For example whilst one dancer jumps forwards another rolls backwards.

Question and Answer

When one or more of the group perform movements which are then contrasted or complemented by other dancers. Like a conversation. Good for duets.

Accumulation

When one dancer (or more) begins a series of actions and other dancers join in one by one to end at the same time. It can create a sense of climax. This can also be performed in reverse until only one dancer is left.

Foreground/ Background

When one or more dancers perform the main material whilst others perform in the background with similar or repeated actions. Sometimes like an echo.

Counterpoint

When dancers perform individual movement sequences at the same time, so everyone is doing something different.