Learn Some Choreography..

The following choreography is from 'The Envelope', it is the main phrase which is repeated various time through the work. It is performed on both legs in the routine:-

Right

• Step into an attitude and pirouette on the right leg, arms are in a curved high 'V' position. During the spin the right foot is flat. The left knee is turned out.
• The left knee then turns to parallel as it sweeps forward.
• Step forward on the left leg and double pirouette.

Left

• Step into an attitude and pirouette on the left leg, arms are in a curved high 'V' position. During the spin the right foot is flat. The right knee is turned out.
• The right knee then turns to parallel as it sweeps forward.
• Step forward on the right leg and double pirouette.

Creative Task

After learning this short piece of choreography, I want you to perform these movement on both legs, then create your own development of them. You can add your own movements, but stay within this dance style. Remember to use choreographic devices, for example, motif development- changing levels, directions, speed etc. Work in groups, up to four people in each group.

The Envelope- Movement..

The main motif in this professional work is performed in an unique position, which is on a medium level, with knees slightly bent. The spine is curved and hands are placed on the stomach with the elbows as far forward as possible, when this movement is performed, the dynamics are stiff and sustained. This movement is in contrast with the shape of an envelope, as it is curved whereas the envelope is very angular. There is a reoccuring phrase which is performed in the routine, which begins with an attitude pirouette, into a sweep of the leg, then a step forward into a double pirouette. This movement is executed on both legs, and is featured in the opening section,the ballet section and in the finale.The dynamics for this phrase are sharp,precise and strong. There is alot of action content in every section, for example, in the 'duo' section there is running,turns, pirouettes, hops on the leg whilst flicking the other leg, jumps,floorwork, spiral of the spine, and contact work. The contact work is where the one dancer runs and jumps in a cradle position but with bent legs and lands in the remaining dancers arms. The dynamics for this section are strong,bouncy,sharp, energetic,lively,jumpy,jerky and fast. The whole piece dynamics are sharp,strong and sustained, every movement is precise and accurate. There is alot of space used throughout this whole piece, there is general space used in both of the solo sections, in the duo section, the one dancer holds a position in the back left corner, whereas the other dance performs in the front right corner but moves in a circular pathway. In the  'Curiosity' section, the dancers perform in a circular formation in the center of the stage, there are four dancers around the outside, then two dancers in the middle one dancer on the others shoulders. The dynamics for this section are springy,bouncy,sharp,sustained and energetic. There are sections of the piece which it is visable that it has been influenced by another dance style, this is in the 'ballet' section, where the movements are similar to ballet movements. For example when the dancer has their arms bent at the elbows and the hands straight, which represents to 'swan' from Swan Lake, which is a very well known Ballet piece. There is alot of contact work in this routine, an example of this is in the 'effiency' and 'pass it on' sections where there is the passing of the envelope and where the two dancers crawl through each others legs. This movement of the crawling beneather the other dancers legs, could represent a letter in an evelope being taken out of the envelope, as it is replicating the same action. There are many different relationships during this piece, such as solo's, duo's and group works. There are also lots of choreographic devices used throughout this piece, such as:-

• Repetition- The main phrase which is repeated throughout the routine which was described previously.
• Contrasting movements- Where in the duo, the one dancer is holding a position, meanwhile the other dancer is participating in strenuous movements.
• Unison- In the curiousity section, where in the circle movements, every dancer performs at the same time.
• Canon- In the ballet section, where the 'ballet' dancer executes a movement, and then the four remaining dancers repeat the movement slightly after. And also in the pass it on section where the envelope in passed down in canon.
• Motif development- where two dancers come onstage during the efficiency section and repeat movements from the curiousity section, however this time the movements are faster and facing the back.

The facial expressions throughout this piece are more exaggerated because of the fact that the headress covers the majority of the face. However the facial expressions are very serious, but also curious and confused, this is portrayed well to the audience.

The Envelope- Design..

In previous blog entries, I have explained about the costume,props and types of staging for this work, however I haven't spoken about the lighting. The lighting for this piece is very minimal, because the stage and dancers are wearing black, the lighting appears a white spotlight. The spotlight moves around the space and follows various dancers. The dancers who aren't dancing in the spotlight can still be seen, however the lighting on them is very minimal. The movement of the lighting helps create the idea of 'where is the envelope' as it keeps moving around the space, it allows the audience to follow the movement of the envelope easily. There are no use of levels in this design, this could be because the shape of an envelope is flat, therefore because the staging is in the shape of an envelope, there is no need for levels in the set. The entrances and exits for this work are one entrance/exit at either side of the stage, I think this is because there is only one way to open an envelope, which therefore there is only one way to get off the stage from either side.

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The Envelope-Accompaniment..

The accompaniment for this proffession work was composed by Rossini, who I have previously spoken about in a different blog entry. The style of the music is classical, and the piece for 'The Envelope' was created by a mixture of different Rossini pieces. The accompaniment at the beginning of the work, has a specific tune which is played then is paused just before the envelope is dropped or thrown back on the stage. This pause helps emphasise this movement. The tune for this section gives off a mysterious vibe, as it makes the audience wonder what is in the envelope, also this music has fluid dynamics however the pauses begin soft but turn abrupt. There are various sections throughout this piece where there is very upbeat and energetic musical dynamics, this presents the idea of the envelope having a 'life of it's own'. The opening of each section has an abrupt musical dynamic change to express the new dance section, for example, at the beginning of the 'death' section, the music changes from lively and upbeat to suddenly a loud chord which gives the idea of mystery and darkness. The accompaniment in this work really helps to exaggerate and emphasise movements, it also helps to emphasise the meaning of the envelope, such as the music is loud in some areas, yet when the dancers are confused and intrigued by the envelope, the music is quieter to present this to the audience. The change in musical dynamics could also be seen as to represent the life and characteristics of the envelope, it could be used as a type of personification for the envelope, where the mood of the envelope is always changing, hence from the upbeat music in the ballet section, to the dark music in the death section.

The Envelope- Dancers..

In this proffessional work, there are 7 dancers, there are four female dancers and three male dancers. The main solo sections are performed by male dancers. The costume for each dancer is exactly the same, which is described in the 'costume' section of the blog. Throughout this piece, every dancer has a relationship with the envelope. The envelope is used to both initate and inspire movement. The envelope is used to initate movement, as it takes on the role of having a 'life of its own'. The subject matter is used to inspire movement because the dancers perform specific travelling sequences and arm movements, to move closer or further away from the envelope, therefore the movements are related and inspired towards the envelope. There is alot of contact with the envelope in this piece, such as when the dancers throw the envelope off stage. The envelope is used by every dancer in the 'group-pass it on section' this is where there is a short sharp raising of the arm where the envelope is passed from dancer to dancer, this creates the idea of the journey of the envelope passing from town to town to get to its destination.

Props From The Envelope..

The props which are used in this professional work are the following:-

• Envelope- This is the subject matter of the piece, it creates the mysterious idea of something being inside it, this is potrayed over to the audience. It is also coloured white and made from paper. The colour of the envelope is in contrast with both the design set and the costume.
• Carpet- This appears in the 'Royal Section', it is a rectangular shape and red in colour with gold patterns upon it. The colour of the carpet links to arabic countries such as Turkey, where the rich people have this type of styled objects, this also links to the inital inspiration for the work, from the foreign woman wearing an arabic headress. This carpet presents the idea of royalty.
• Glass of water- this happens just after the second solo piece, this is very random and the audience don't expect it. But at the same time this is realistic because the dancer holds an envelope in their mouth, which is bound to make it go dry.

Overall, these props help the enhance the humourous side of this piece.

The Design Set..

This work was performed on a proscenium stage, which is very black in colour, this is the same colour as the costume for the dancers, therefore it allows the envelope to be seen at all times. The stage is a square shape and is quite plain, this has the same characteristics as an envelope. There are metal posts on each side of the stage which has curved branches which shoot out from them, this enhances the idea of shapes,curves and angular which is also shown in the choreography. These metal posts with the branches could also be a link to the envelope in the way that they represent the journey and pathways which envelopes follow. The lighting in the envelope was by Howell Binkley.

Creative Task!

Now you have learnt about the design set of this work, I want you to design your own set for this piece. I want you to design a backdrop for the stage, as well as deciding the opening lighting effects for the opening section of 'The Envelope'. Remember, it still has to be linked to an envelope!

The Costume Of 'The Envelope'..

The costume which the dancers wear during this professional work remains the same throughout the whole piece. The costume was designed by Judy Wirkula and is the following:-

• Black loose fitting long trousers
• Black glasses
• Black sleeveless tops
• Black headress
• Bare feet

The entire costume is black which immediately contrasts with the colour of the envelope which is white, which means that the envelope can be seen at all times. This is a good costume, as it allows the audience to see the body alignments clearly. The black headress brings the audiences focus to the faces of the dancers, which also means that the dancers really have to use facial expressions. The headress is also an angular shape, which is like the same shaping of an evelope. The headress as a costume was inspired from the woman on the magazine who was wearing an arabic headress.


Creative Task!

Now you have learnt about the original costume from The Envelope, I want you to use your own ideas to create your own costume. It has to be linked to an evelope, but it can be as original and as unique as you like!

Briefly About 'The Envelope'..

The stimulus behind 'The Envelope' was initally created by David Parsons, when he was reading a magazine and an advertisement fell out, on the advertisement, there was an image of a foreign woman wearing a headress. Due to both the image of the woman, and the idea of the falling advertisement, Parsons began to consider ideas of passing something along between dancers and creating movement based on this idea. He then suddenly thought of an Evelope. The Envelope is a humourous dance work, which has a total of seven dancers, which are four females and three males. Throughout this dance the 'envelope' is used to initiate movements, as well as having a mysterious role of making both the audience and the dancers wonder what it contains.

About The Composer..

The composer which is used for the accompaniment in the dance work of 'The Envelope' is Rossini. David Parsons uses a mix of various different pieces of music which was created by Rossini. Gioachino Rossini was born 29th February 1792 and died 13th November 1868. He was an Italian composer who wrote 39 operas. Famous pieces of music from Rossini are the following:-

• The Barber Of Seville.
• La Cenerentola
• William Tell

Rossini was a very well known composer, and until his retirement during 1829, he was named the most popular composer in history.

About 'The Parsons Dance Company'..

The Parsons Dance Company was founded by David Parsons during 1987, it is a contemporary dance company, and is based in New York City, America. The company is made up of  ten full-time dancers and maintains a repertory of over 70 different works which were all created by David Parsons.  The company tours nationally, internationally and also around New York during the annual time of year. On average the company has toured for 32 weeks per year, to a total of more than 235 citys, 30 countries, 6 continents and millions of audience members.Parsons Dance encourage children,students and communities to participate in masterclasses of both Ballet and Jazz dance, as well as holding intense summer workshops in New York. The vision of this dance company is the following:-

• Foster- the creative development and present the choreographic expressions of David Parsons.
• Deliver- positive and enriching experiences to audiences World-wide through the movement of Dance.
• Develop- new dance fans by creating works which engage the audience.
• Provide- education and programmes for dancers of all abilites who share a passion in dance.
• Collaborate- with fellow internationally known artists.

About The Choreographer..

'The Envelope' is a proffesional dance work which was choreographed by David Parsons, and performed by the 'Parsons Dance Company'. David Parsons was born during 1959 in Illinois and was raised in Kansas City,Missouri. As a child, Parsons thrived off participating in sporting events, however after taking part in an performing arts camp, he joined a local dance group. He then worked closely with a fellow dancer names Clive Thompson, where he gained a scholarship to the 'Alvin Alley American Dance Centre'.Parsons continued to rise in the dance industry as he became an understudy for the 'Paul Taylor Dance Company', he eventually became the principal of this company from 1978-1987, as well as appearing within various other companies. Parsons then furthered his dance career by founding the 'Parsons Dance Company' in 1987, and through this company, he choreographed many different works including, 'Caught' (1982), 'The Envelope'(1986) and 'Nasciemento'.