Emerging American Modern Dance

Sample Solution

Theme: Global and Social Concerns

Concept: A visceral, raw expression of the devastating impacts of climate change. The dance will focus on the emotional and physical toll of extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and the loss of biodiversity.

Movement Quality: The movement will be chaotic, urgent, and disjointed, mirroring the unpredictable and destructive nature of climate change. There will be no specific steps or choreography; instead, the dancers will respond instinctively to the music and the emotional landscape of the piece.

Performance Space: A bare stage with minimal props. The dancers will use their bodies and the space to create images of natural disasters, human suffering, and the fragile state of our planet.

Costuming: Simple, earthy clothing that can easily be manipulated to represent different elements (e.g., a long, flowing dress to represent water, torn clothing to symbolize destruction).

Music: A cacophony of sounds, including natural disasters, industrial noise, and human cries of anguish.

Possible Movements:

• Jerky, spasmodic movements to represent earthquakes
• Slow, undulating movements to symbolize rising sea levels
• Violent, chaotic movements to depict storms and fires
• Still, lifeless poses to represent loss and despair

Note: The goal is to create a powerful and disturbing performance that evokes empathy and prompts reflection on the urgent need to address climate change. The dance should be raw, emotionally charged, and devoid of technical perfection.