Sinner Man

ok so this is a clip of some gir ding it but in Alvin AIleys production,
its performed by a man and its awesome.
Its one of the most memorable parts for me.

Ex.c 2 the video

Hey! Its Juanita, the ultimate dance lover

SO I enrolled in Shannon's Ballet class because it was the only non major dance class that really fit into my schedule. I love dance i've been dancing since I was five but my mom made me quit when i was around 12 because i was performing poorly in academia :/. But now i call my own shots!. SO i dance whenever i can, and i Just declared my minor.

Agnes Demille

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSW13nOg2R4&feature=PlayList&p=860A1C0AF3697C94&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=1

This is a video of Agnes Demille's choreography from "Oklahoma." ("Out of My Dreams"). This was her first time choreographing for a Broadway musical and it was a fifteen minute ballet which was a very big part of the musical. 

Why I enrolled in theater dance

Since I was three, I always took some form of dance classes. Then I went to high school and they just didn't fit into my busy schedule anymore. I would take a class here and there and even though I was never the best dancer I always had so much fun. It was a great workout and it helped me to relieve a lot of stress. I always wanted to continue dancing for myself. As an acting major especially I feel that it is very important to know your body and know how to use it. Dance helps me to get into my body and strengthen my core. When I signed up for theater dance at Pace I thought it would be fun to take a dance class. I signed up specifically for theater dance because theater dance is all about acting. Even though all types of dance tell a story, in theater dance especially you have to create a character which helps with acting. I really enjoyed this class and I hope to continue dancing.

Mark Morris with Yo Yo Ma

This is Mark Morris's choreography from his work with Yo Yo Ma called 'Falling Down Stairs'
I choose to post this clip because is a key and classic work of Mark Morris's style of dance. His dance is said to be truly descriptive of music, which I feel the piece shows.

Why did I enroll in a dance course?

I enrolled in a dance course because I LOVE to dance! My agent also wanted me to have better and actual dance training, compaired to just being a casual dancer. I also think it is important to be a well rounded person, either dance or math, everything gives knowledge.

I chose the number Mein Herr from the musical Carbaret because it is one of my favorite numbers on Broadway.  Its simple (though not quite as easy as it looks) and sexy yet not too risque for women on the stage.  The dance may seem very Fosse-like although Fosse didn't choreograph Cabaret the but he did direct the movie.  But if you look at the show-version of Mein Herr and the movie version they are both pretty much the same.  The song and the dance of Mein Herr really show and express what kind of a woman this is and what her intentions are and her true character really come out.  Only the best actresses can accomplish to perform this number believably and need the dance-training to go along with it.

Ariana's 1st blog post

I enrolled in a dance course because I have been taking dance all my life. In fact, before I began acting I was looking into studying to be a dancer. I haven't danced in quite awhile, almost early high school. I've taken some dance classes here and there but I was just never able to stay committed to them because of all the school work I had. So I thought it would be a great opportunity to sign up for a dance class at Pace so I can stay more easily committed and at the same time brush up on my dancing. As an actress, I am looking to do more serious and contemporary plays in my future, but I think that anyone who is serious about the business should have a little bit of history or background in singing and dancing as well so you are prepared for anything. Its not all about just getting the job you want. Its hard enough to get any sort of a good paying job in the business and when you do it might not be a play you like or a musical you like etc... But if you are hired and out of work, you need to learn to work with what you've got and if the job requires dancing and you have taken some classes it wouldn't be like starting from the beginning which is even more stressful. You are probably more likely to get hired if you are not just taking classes but are a good dancer too.

Ariana

West Side Story

West Side Story is based on William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet but takes place in New York in the 1950s. Like Romeo and Juliet, Maria and Tony face the same challenges of not being able toe be with each other based on their ethnic differences. For the broad way production Jerome Robbins choreographed and ran for 732 performances. There are some really great dance scenes and beautiful performances.

West Side Story -America

Dancing at Pace

I chose to take ballet this semester because I used to dance ballet growing up and also because I love to dance and the fact that I could take a dance class at school and have it count towards credit sounded like a great idea. It's better than just sitting down for 3 hours in a classroom and wanting to fall asleep. This class was a good refresh of basic ballet steps and moves. This class makes for good exercise too and recommend it to anymore who wants to try something new.

STEAM HEAT

STEAM HEAT!!! AMAZING, everyone should watch it. It's another one of my favorites and I felt bad cause I put the same video as someone else. Plus, I dont think anyone gets tired of watching true Fosse dancers!!!

POST TWO: Fosse Being Fosse!

This is one of my all time favorite Fosse clips. What better than seeing Fosse doing his own choreography. This is from the 1955 movie, "My Sister Eileen", where in case you missed it...Fosse choreographed and starred in. Fosse is in the dark suit. He was so good, actor, dancer, choreographer, director, producer, writer, FULL PACKAGE! Enjoy!!

POST ONE: Dance Courses

I am a Musical Theatre major and this course and all dance classes are required. However, the one thing always holding me back is I'm a "mover", not a dancer! One thing I've learned from my years both in school and in the professional world, is dancing is essential to making it in Musical Theatre. That is the main reason why dance classes are essential and important to a BFA program. While sometimes I forget this and slack, I do always check and remind myself that this is for ME to excel and be the successful actor I've always dreamed of. Dance is an essential part, even for people like me who consider themselves a singer/actor...mover. My friend Chris just had an audition for Jersey Boys on broadway and they loved him, only comment and feedback...HE'S NOT A STRONG ENOUGH DANCER!

It is so important for me to continue to take dance classes after I graduate in less than a month in order to succeed. Another thing that dance classes give us is an amazing workout. It's also so important to be in top physical condition if you are going to be doing 8 shows a week. One thing I have really put my mind to in the last year having lost 60 lbs. My dance classes have greatly help me in that process.

So, to sum up why I think dance classes are important...SUCCESS and FITNESS!!! And thats just the tip of the iceberg.

Roni's Theatre Dance entry II

I first became interested in Twyla Tharp when I read her book, "The Creative Habit", a couple of years ago. It is somewhat of an autobiography chronicling her struggle with a Ballet which she had to choreograph for her company a few years back. It is a lesson for any creative hopeful not to give up, and to keep pursuing their work creatively and with confidence, and keep altering their approach towards success until they have achieved it. These seems to be Twyla's motto throughout all of her works. She has the uncanny ability to continue to evolve her pieces throughout different genre of dance, while continuing to connect to an audience far beyond the patrons of dance. This piece in particular, entitled, "Surfer at the River Styx" is a fantastic amalgamation of jazz, hip hop, acro, and of course ballet.

Bob Fosse

This piece is from a 1955 film called "My sister Eileen" and it features Bob Fosse and Tommy Rall. This was choreographed by Bob Fosse. I choose this dance number because the way the entire dance is orchestrated is so interesting to watch. Also it is interesting that this piece is over 50 years old and the choreography is still present and the Fosse style. For the example the hats, and the dancers being hunched over.

Dancing at Pace

Being a Musical Theater major, we are required to take dance classes and I think its just wonderful. Its very important to become comfortable with your body and movement. Iv never take a dance class before coming to Pace. The only dancing I have ever done was from being involved in shows and I am so glad that we are required to take them. Not only do I feel better after dancing mentally but of course physically. Personally what I am getting out of dancing at Pace is the confidence to go into a "movers" audition and being comfortable. The more I dance, the easier it becomes and I am so glad they offer it at Pace because I would never be able to take as many classes out side as I am now. I really enjoy the dance classes at Pace even know the university likes to take dance studios away from us a month before the end of school.

Roni's Theatre Dance Blog # 1

There are several reasons for my taking theatre dance this semester, the first of them being that I absolutely love to dance. It is a great way to build up stamina, stay in shape and boost self esteem, and it is also a huge part of theatre. I have been performing in musicals since the age of seven, and being an acting major, I no longer have as frequent a number of opportunities to do so. Taking a theatre dance course at Pace University has enabled me to brush up on older techniques that have been pushed to the wayside over the years, and has also enforced me to take on a new approach towards foundation steps which I have done countless times without really thinking about them. Before embarking on this course, I did not realize how much I had fallen behind over the course of a year or two, taken off from dance. The course is a great opportunity to re-learn, or learn, beginner dance steps, at a slow pace, no pun intended, with a patient and skilled instructor.