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BEGINNER-INTERMEDIATE PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENT LESSON PLAN

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Blog

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Born out of postmodern dance, the addition of “everyday,”“regular,” “pedestrian” movement into a daily lesson plan or choreography every now and then can take the dynamics of class or rehearsal in a whole new direction for a fresh change of pace. A wonderful starting point for young students and/or beginners, sophisticated approaches to the integration of technical vernacular and “common” locomotor movement can prove to create sophisticated contemporary works that evoke both technical components with nods to gestural nuances. Think about trying these basic pedestrian movements and ask your students the following questions to evoke dialogue and individual movement profiles.

Walking

Running

Skipping

Crawling

Crying

Smilng

Stopping

Looking

Talking

Staring

Skipping

Sitting

Teetering

Beathing

Sliding

Laying

Strolling

Climbing

Spinning

Crawling

Jogging

Marching

Scratching

Watching

Blinking

Floating

Stomping

Twisting

Melting

Lifting

Drifting

Slithering

Hopping

Twitching

Touching

Reaching

Add more of your own:

What pedestrian movements do you think of that are similar to people you see on the street? Do you see any that we didn’t list?

What are some similar effort qualities you see within your technique classes and pedestrian movement?

Can you compose a motif based off of pedestrian movement or gesture?

Can you combine technical and pedestrian movement to make a phrase of your own?

 

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Author

Jess Stafford

Jess Stafford

Jess Stafford is a native New Yorker and has her MA in Dance Education from NYU. She also earned a BFA in dance performance from UMASS Amherst. Following a wonderful professional dance career, Jess now teaches and choreographs nationally and internationally, bringing her love of movement and creating to all her classes. Jess’ favorite performance credits include: The National Tour of Guys & Dolls, The European Tour of Grease, West Side Story, Cabaret, Sweet Charity, Salute to Dudley Moore at Carnegie Hall, guest-dancer with the World Famous Pontani Sisters and IMPULSE Modern Dance Company. She has been on faculty for the Rutgers University Dance Department, Perichild Program at Peridance and was Company Director at Steffi Nossen School of Dance. Jess has also taught creative movement therapy in Uganda and was a featured instructor at the Queen's Kampala Dance School. She has conducted workshops for the cast of LA REVE at the Wynn, Las Vegas and has been on faculty at the IDS International Dance Teacher Conference at The Royal Ballet, MPower Summer Dance Intensives and annual Dance Teacher Web Conferences. Jess has also served as Master Teacher & adjudicator for various dance competitions. She is the Chief Editor and contributing writer for the DanceTeacherWeb.com blog and is also an original in-house Dance Teacher Web faculty member. Jess’ latest venture has called her to become a Board Certified Integrative Health Coach, 500HR RYT and RPYT. She is also the creator of her private practice, Rebel Wellness. Her latest passion project includes creating the “BE WELL” Yoga + Wellness School and Dance Studio Program, which fosters mental health & emotional wellness for today’s youth. www.rebelwellnessny.com

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