The Utilization of Improvisation in Dance Choreography

This project investigates the integration of dance improvisation in the choreographic process. Specifically, it explores contact improvisation, improvisation to create movement material and improvisation with costume. Contact Improvisation is a partner dance form based on the physical principles of touch, weight, and momentum. This practice explores ideas such as falling, rolling, counterbalance, being lifted and lifting. Over the course of 25 hours, a six-minute duet dance was created. During the choreographic process, many methods were used to learn and incorporate improvisation skills into a dance piece. Methods such as watching archival videos on Contact Improvisation, skill development, game structures, and verbal prompts inspired movement improvisation. An additional element of improvisation with bubble wrap costumes contributed to heightened auditory and tactile senses, increasing movement possibilities. This creative process has resulted in new knowledge about the dance form of improvisation and how to integrate it into choreography. This duet will be performed publicly at the BFA dance concert in Stoner Studio Theater on April 23, 2022.