Feb 5 / The Movement: Theme and Variation

 

 

Unit: The Movement

Theme: Theme and Variation

 

I

Introduction

When improvising, it is possible to use a motif to derive a variety of movement choices. This is an easy and creative way to expand on one movement idea or dancing image or movement metaphor and never stop dancing due to lack of movement.

II 

Learning Objectives

 

• Understand the connection between themes and variations
  
• Explain the creative process involved in the emergence of a motif
  
• Gain awareness of the use of movement to expand on the motif
  
• Experience ensemble movement when integrating all the created phrases
• Reflect on the creative process at the end of the process
  

 

III

Warm Up

 Stretching

 

IV 

Main Lesson

 

 Review

Elements
Name Story
Narrative (Riots)
Anthropomorphic
 Body Shapes
Emotions

 Concepts:

To-go phrase
Score 

Question 1

Out of all the different ideas listed above, which one has given you the greater amount of freedom to improvise?

--------------------------------

Theme and Variation 

A choreographic form in which a dance phrase or section  of a dance is followed by subsequent phrases or sections that are variations of the original, usually for the sake of variety. 

Variation is the amount or degree of change of a form, a dance movement or movements.

In Dance Improvisation, we can use theme and variation to create variations of one move and make it look totally different than the  original.

Source: Dance Glossary

Question 2

 
Why is theme and variation a good tool to improvise dance?

 --------------------

Possible Variations 

SPACE

1. Directions

2. Levels
3. Size 
4. Focus

TIME

5. Speed (fast or slow)

 

 

6. Rhythm (beat, pattern and tempo)

FORCE

7. Energy (sudden or sustained)
8. Flow (bound or Free)
9. Weight (Strong or Light)

Source: The Elements of Dance 

Question 3

Out of the possible variations listed above, which one do you tend to use in your dance moves and why?

 

 ----------------------

 

 

V

 

Read the Article

 

The Moment of Movement: Dance Improvisation 

Introduction 

(Page x) on "fusing creation with execution"

Lynne Ann Bloom and L. Tarin Chaplin

https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Moment_Of_Movement/kckFbAFDE70C?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Art,+Music+and+Dance+Improvisation&printsec=frontcover

Bloom L. A. and Tarin Chaplin, L. (1988). The Moement of Movement: Dance Improvisation. University of Pittsburgh Press

 

VI

 

A Note to Remember

 

 A motif is the earliest stage of development of a theme or composition; a movement starting point which gives the first element of form to the dance/work. It is the driving force behind all phrases within the dance. It can be a movement or a series of movements that clearly relates to the concept/intent.

 

 

VII

 

Case Study

 

Dance Comp. Class: Theme in unison, then one variation. Use Balanescu Quartet as background music.

 

VIII

ACTIVITY 

10 Songs for Dance Improvisation 

Play the songs collected in the link above and dance each one of them. 

Choose one move you like in each one and add the possible variations listed above.

To end:

Choose your favorite move of all the moves you have explored and add the 9 variations listed above.

Assignment

Write a reflection about your experience in class today.

  IX

 

Journaling

 

 

X

 

Glossary

 

 

XI

 

Sources

 

Motif Development. Organizing Movement. https://sites.google.com/education.nsw.gov.au/hscdance/core-composition-part-1/organising-movement

 

XII

 

Students' Work 

 

Academic 

William Brodsky

This unit on motif and variation really connected with how I think about structure and creativity—not just in dance, but in life. As someone who is usually very organized and driven, I’ve found that improvisation has helped me explore the other side of myself: the spontaneous, the intuitive, and the expressive. What I appreciated most in this lesson was learning how to use a single movement or motif as a launchpad for infinite variation. That concept felt powerful. It gave me confidence that even if I start with something small, I don’t have to “run out” of ideas—I just have to shift it in space, time, or energy.

Out of all the earlier concepts we’ve explored—like name story, anthropomorphic shapes, or emotion-based movement—I found the emotions unit gave me the greatest freedom to improvise. That’s because it allowed me to move from a place of genuine feeling rather than trying to think about how I looked. It unlocked something honest in me. But this motif unit gave me structure for that honesty. It showed me that I can start with a feeling, turn it into a movement, and then use tools like levels, speed, energy, and focus to completely transform that gesture into something new.

In terms of variations, I tend to lean most into energy and weight. I’m always aware of whether I’m moving with control and precision, or with more looseness and momentum. Changing the energy behind a movement—even if the shape stays the same—creates an entirely new sensation. It’s like saying the same sentence with a different tone: the meaning changes. That realization has helped me get more comfortable staying with one phrase and stretching it out in multiple directions, rather than constantly chasing new choreography.

Reading The Moment of Movement, I was struck by the phrase “fusing creation with execution.” That line stayed with me. It’s the exact feeling I’ve started to chase when I improvise—where I’m not pre-planning every move, but I’m not completely winging it either. I’m present, creating as I go, but making choices with purpose. That’s where the motif becomes useful. It anchors the movement, but doesn’t restrict it.

This class made me realize that developing a motif is kind of like developing identity—it starts with a moment of clarity, then grows, transforms, adapts, and evolves. That process, whether in dance or life, is something I’m beginning to trust more and more.

 

Kennedy Cameron

1. The "To-go phrase" has given me the greatest freedom to improvise because it allows me to take a movement and manipulate it in different ways without restrictions. It feels like a foundation that I can build upon, twist, or completely transform.

2. Theme and variation is a great tool for improvisation because it keeps movement fresh and dynamic while maintaining a connection to the original idea. It allows dancers to explore creativity without losing coherence in their movement sequences.

3. I tend to use speed and levels in my dance moves because they instantly change the feel of a movement. Slowing down a motion can make it more dramatic, while shifting levels adds dimension and intensity to the performance.

 

Gabriele Pernigotti Nehme

1. Out of all the different ideas listed above, which one has given you the greater amount of freedom to improvise?

 

 For me, narrative has given me the greater freedom to improvise because I feel like every human has a different sotry to tell, even multiple, so I like that when telling a story through improvisation I also include elements such as emotions and shapes.  

 

2. Why is theme and variation a good tool to improvise dance?

 
It is a good tool because even though as a dancer you know you are making the same move, as an audience it looks completely different so it gives you a bigger range to explore.  

 

3. Out of the possible variations listed above, which one do you tend to use in your dance moves and why?

 
I believe directions because it is natural for the body, or at least my body, to think strategically so if I want to slightly change a movement direction is the first thing that comes to mind.

Jaye Lis

 

Jaye Lis

1. Out of all the different ideas listed above, which one has given you the greater amount of freedom to improvise?

    I would say 'Emotions' is the idea that has given me the greatest amount of freedom to improvise. I think as each human is unique the emotions they endure and how they process and experience them is simultaneously just as unique and individualized as each person. Additionally, the way each person expresses and performs this is extremely eye-opening to see similarities and differences. 

2. Why is theme and variation a good tool to improvise dance?

    In dance improvisation, theme and variation involve beginning with an original dance phrase and then creating variations that can create various forms of the dance. This allows dancers to showcase creativity and hold their audiences attention by transforming a single ovement into diverse expressions. 

3. Out of the possible variations listed above, which one do you tend to use in your dance moves and why?

    Out of all the possible variations listed above, I tend to use '2. Levels' the most utilizing different heights and even jumps and getting on the ground to emphasize certain aspects of the story I'm trying to tell. I also utilize this to emphasize certain emotions or even intensify the story.