Dance History Timeline, Lecture notes of Dance

Download Dance History Timeline and more Lecture notes Dance in PDF only on Docsity!

Dance History

Timeline

By Erin Rivers

Prehistoric Times

New Forms/Elements

& Description of Dance at this Time

• Circle dance is the oldest formation in dance. Lines were very common as well.
• Elements such as sticks, bones and handmade sounds were present during these times.
• Dance was not always written down, but what was is still used in some elements of dance today.

Influential People or Events & Specific New

Developments

• The Gods and Shaman were the main people and influential leaders/powers who led and inspired the dances. They were most important because they kept the community protected and safe from anything else while dancing which made them capable of becoming “one with the dance” and dancing freely and spiritually.

Styles/Types of Dance

• The types and styles of dance were becoming more complex and dances now focused on the mind with natural and pronounced movements.

New Forms/Elements

& Description of Dance at this Time

• To be able to dance, the dancers needed to be able to keep up with the music, remember the steps and have a sense of space.
• Musical dance was becoming known.
• Circle dance was still being used for performing Hymns.
• Dance dramas were becoming popular.
• Court dances were being introduced.

16th & 17th

Century Court

Dances

Styles/Types of Dance

• Court dances were becoming well-known and popular. Elegance is a good word to describe movement of this time.
• Ballet was performed in the courts, and this was the most performed style of dance.

Influential People or Events & Specific New

Developments

• Louis XIII of France composed music and performed in dance pieces.
• Pierre Beauchamps created five positions of the feet for ballet; he was responsible for ballet court dances.
• Ville La Fontaine was the first female dance professor or “the Queen of Dance”.
• Dancers began to become famous by the tricks they could do, new moves they developed. This first showcased the idea of individuality in dance.

18th Century:

From Court to

Theater

New Forms/Elements

& Description of Dance at this Time

• Again dancers of this time were very elegant in their movements, and new types of dance were created by the aspect of competition being introduced.
• Theatres were being used for performances during this time which was a big outbreak of the entertainment dance.
• Common rooms were also used for performances.
• Couple dances were common as were weaving patterns, like S and Z.

Influential People or Events & Specific New

Developments

• Francoise Prevost was one of the first famous female ballerinas.
• Marie Salle wore simpler dresses without corsets which would change the way dancers dressed and costumed for further dance.
• Jean Dauberval was the first person to make a 2 act ballet and focus on natural characters

Styles/Types of Dance

• Dance was popular in the courts and very balletic - elegant, graceful, ethereal
• Social dances common for common folk - waltzes, polkas, quadrilles

New Forms/Elements

& Description of Dance at this Time

• Costumes had lots of adornment/details
• Idea of individuality in skills continued
• Men were credited with developing and performing ballet