Department of Theatre Arts and Film Studies

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Browsing Department of Theatre Arts and Film Studies by Subject "Choreography"

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    African Dance, Choreography and the Process of Evolving an Applicable Dance Notation Model
    (Dance Journal of Nigeria, 2015-06) Bello, Peter
    Studies and experiences have shown that the art of choreography is not alien to Africans though the notion that improvisation is the order when it comes to African dance performance is yet to fizzle out. While choreography is evident in African dance performance, evolving an African dance notation model has been a herculean task due to the peculiarities and complexity of African dance patterns. The questions that come to mind when considering the evolvement of notation for African dance include; Is notation really applicable to African dance form? Can African dance movements be notated? In what ways could African dances be represented with signs and symbols that will not alter the originality of the dance movement patterns? In answering these questions, this paper takes a critical look at the concept and evidence of choreography in African dance performance and the possibility of creating applicable notation for African dance movements. This largely descriptive study utilized primary data that were obtained through participant and non participant observation and secondary data from relevant publications. The data were subjected to contextual analysis and scrutiny. The paper examines the evidence of choreography in African dance performances and the challenges involved in the process of evolving an applicable dance notation model for the African dance form. The paper discovers that the application of notation in dance advances the art of choreographs'. Thus, the task of evolving an African dance notation model requires a thorough understanding of the numerous categories of African dance cultures. Therefore, a successful creation of applicable dance notation will enhance the evidence of choreography in African dance performances.