What makes a good dance?

A good dance displays a significant meaning or conveys a message. Sometimes, it

also portrays life experiences. Dance may be presented abstractly and symbolically
but still conveys emotion and meaning. (McGreevy-Nichols et al. 2005). A good
dance lifts and transports the audience from their seats during the performance.
It has a beginning, middle, and end/conclusion. The beginning of a
dance may come in a form of shape, a pose, or an entrance. The middle consists of
a development or the exploration of the main idea. The ending/conclusion should
be clear and may be in a form of a shape, a pose, or an exit.
All works, whether it is sports, music, or dance, must have a form brought to their
elements by means of orderly arrangement, meaning, and purpose (Lockhart,1982).
There must be a sense of direction. A good dance therefore, must have a shape or
form for its choreography to be effective.
What is a form?

A form is the instrument by which ideas and elements are arranged or

combined into a logical sequence which results in unity and consistency, and
by means of which the content or idea can be expressed and
communicated. It is the organizing factor of any work or dance composition
(Lockhart, 1982 ).
The form should progress through time from the beginning to the end of the
choreography (Minton, 2007). Each section is composed of several units that
are smoothly connected to each other. These small units are called phrases.
What is a motif?

A good dance contains a theme or a motif to be able to convey its meaning

or intention to the audience. A dance without meaning makes it harder for the
audience to understand; thus, making it superficial and easy to forget.
A single movement or a short phrase of movement that embodies the style
and intention of the dance is called a motif. A good dance uses a motif in
which the movement are repeated, varied, and developed by manipulating
the movement components or elements.
One good example of a dance with motif is the Itik-Itik Philippine folkdance. It
is easy to identify the motif of this dance as it simply portrays the movements of
an itik (duckling).
Characteristics of a good dance.
1. Unity. The interconnected phrases of the dance we coherent and flow
smoothly together. The movements fit together and each plays an
important role that contributes to the entirely of a dance.
2. Continuity and Development. The phrases of the dance that are organized
progressively, making each movement phrase move naturally into the next.
There is a continuous development of the movement phrase and the
audience is swept along to the end
3. Variety and Contrast. It introduces new material, which is noticeably
different from anything so far seen in the dance.
4. Transition. This is the link between movements, phrases, and sections of the
dance. It makes the logical progression of the dance flow smoothly. Also, it
is vital because it keeps the unity and continuity of the dance.
5. Repetition. It emphasizes movements and phrases that are important to the
dance and gives a feeling of closure to a work (Minton, 2007). Some
phrases need to be repeated significance.
6. Climax. This is where the apex of energy in the dance is reached
(Schrader,1996). It is similar to a climax in a story where a series of events
culminates. The climax may be a fast and enraged blast of energy and
action, or it could fade away to a gentle and quiet exit that marks the end
of a particular story.