BA (Hons) Dance and Aerial Arts

Dance Techniques

This module enables you to build dance skills through daily practice in style-based and experiential technical study. You will be guided to apply your technical knowledge to deepen your awareness and application of good working practice reflective of the professional dance sector.

Choreography and Devising

The module will introduce a range of choreographic techniques, structures and working methods to initiate developments of choreographic skill. You will complete a tutor-led group performance, which will enable you to engage creatively with current choreographic processes, strategies and direction in the development of a performance work through a collective process.

Choreography and Performance

You will explore the creative, compositional, devising and production approaches characteristics of contemporary performance practice through the development of student-led group performance work.

You are encouraged to consider theme, expression and communication through devices and strategies that extend and develop movement possibilities, theatrical modes of presentation and points of view.

You will engage in processes-led investigations that reflect performative contexts within the professional dance sector, leading to an explicit outcome.

Aerial Techniques

You will engage in three areas of aerial work, with a focus on safe technique. This will enable you to consolidate and confirm existing knowledge as well as develop new skills.

The classes will enable you to develop a healthy and safe aerial dance practice, enriching your body knowledge to inform your application in aerial dance technique and performance.

Practice will focus on dynamic alignment, core stability, placement, and kinaesthetic awareness. Attention will be drawn to safe practice throughout the module. This will provide you with the knowledge and skills for personal preparation and safe practice in class.

Personal Development

This module will help you identify challenges in your journey towards becoming trained professionals and provide a variety of tuition and support opportunities for personal development.

You will explore a range of different strategies designed to offer support to the emerging arts practitioner, and you will be introduced to a number of different models of successful self-development.

This module will seek to develop your self-awareness and encourage a confident approach to the world beyond university.

Aerial Dance Harness

This module provides an introduction to moving and devising choreography with dance harness. It aims to familiarise you with the equipment used and safe practice, before developing a range of introductory techniques such as low flying, partner work (ground and air) and counterbalance.

Aerial Dance Harness aims to develop your improvisation techniques as a tool within exploration of new ways of moving and the devising process.

A series of practical workshops will introduce you to dance harness techniques. Focusing on developing connections between aerial dance and contemporary dance, workshops will be framed in a way that invites curiosity and exploration through improvisation.

Aerial Dance Techniques 2

Learning and teaching in dance technique at this level embraces complexity in development of movement memory, use of timing and musicality, use of space, and experiential learning through improvisational techniques. More demanding movement sequences and improvisational work challenges you to work in greater depth, employing problem-solving and devising. Use of qualitative interpretation enables you to synthesize action and image in performance. Contextual aspects of dance styles and approaches to technique arise through practice, discussion and feedback. Key elements of ‘dance fitness’ are introduced in this module: strength (core stability), stamina, coordination, body placement, and kinaesthetic awareness. You will be able to transfer knowledge of warm up, cool down and awareness of personal physical abilities and limitations to your own preparation and practice in order to work safely in daily classes.

Composing Dances

This module provides you with an opportunity to broaden your choreographic experience through the development of group pieces using a tutor-identified research source. The module focuses on compositional processes and structural devices.

In the module, you will explore the dynamic relationship between form and content through a range of tutor-led processes, into the development of a collaboratively directed group piece (normally a trio) that will be assessed in performance.

The module provides you with a further opportunity to advance your compositional, directing, organisational and performance skills, honing your ability to reflect critically. It also offers you experience of working in collaboration with your peers.

Dance Techniques 2

In this module, your knowledge of dance technique will expand to incorporate the complexity in:

• Development of movement memory
• Use of timing and musicality
• Use of space
• Experiential learning through improvisational techniques.

More demanding movement sequences and improvisational work challenges you to work in greater depth, employing problem-solving and devising. You will continue to explore key elements of dance fitness and how they relate to your newly developed skills and knowledge.

Improvisation & Performance

This module focuses on further development of performance skills and vocabulary from the solo to the group improvisation.

The use of spontaneous compositional practice within group situations, relationship possibilities and the development of in aesthetic, spatial and aural awareness, will form the core of issues explored.

The course will build toward the setting of structures for performance through an understanding of scores.

Performance & Place

This module explores site specific, non-theatre based dance and performance work. You will consider site as source for devising choreography alongside theoretical ideas of space and place, and explores how space or location informs the content of site-dance performance.

Preparing the Dance Artist for Work

This module uses a series of lectures, seminars and practical sessions to encourage and develop the exchange of knowledge and skills as you consider and plan for your future career in dance.

You will develop strategies to connect yourself to dance companies and organisations, internships, and graduate apprenticeships.

You will access guidance on self-employment, insurance and DBS requirements through workshops and individual research projects.

Researching Dance Practice

This module is designed to prepare you for researching and writing a dissertation in dance at level 6. This module aims to explore the nature and application of research within a dance context, by introducing you to philosophies that underpin different approaches to research.

You will explore a variety of different research methodologies and methods for theoretical and practice-led research and will consider the wider value of research within dance and artistic practice. This module will also focus on current debates about 21st century dance practices and artists through consideration and exploration of current dance research practice.

Building on the study skills and knowledge of dance acquired at levels 4 & 5, this module will contribute to future research and specific modules across the programme, namely Dance Dissertation Module and Independent Study.

Creating Worlds in Dance

This module explores the role of scenographic elements in dance. It addresses themes such as (but not limited to) visual composition, the experience of light, atmosphere and landscape, and the semiotics of performance.

This module focuses on the ways in which the choices we make regarding design, dramaturgy and composition alongside our choreography contribute to the creation of atmosphere and a sense of worlding.

The module aims to develop understanding of concepts of atmosphere, assemblage and worlding and the ways in which our choreographic practice can draw on other disciplines to create worlds in performance.

Aerial and Dance Creative Project

This module focuses on the devising process and strategies for working in an interdisciplinary way with dance, aerial and other performance practices. You will be able to choose between a group or solo project.

Group project option

As a group project, this module equips you with group relating skills and techniques relevant to working in a collaborative environment. Building on elements developed in technique and choreography modules, you will apply these skills to address a range of choreographic tasks.

You will engage with a series of practical workshops that introduce devising techniques that invite an interdisciplinary approach to creating performance. Focusing on developing strategies for creating worlds, you will apply a range of techniques to make judgements and frame appropriate questions in order to achieve a solution.

The module culminates in the public performance of the group devised project.

Solo project option

As a solo project, this module requires you to interrogate your own devising process and draws a focus on identifying your own ‘voice’ or style as a performer. Building on elements developed in technique and choreography modules, you will apply these skills to address a range of choreographic tasks. This module expects you to have good prior understanding of choreographic and devising principles and the ability to work in a self-motivated way.

You will work predominantly in a self-directed manner, with regular sessions with an assigned tutor who will act as a mentor for your project. Emphasis is on independent learning and development, and the opportunity for you to work in a focused way on a specialism, style or theme of your choice.

This module occurs at the culmination of the Dance and Aerial Programme and as such offers you the opportunity to explore your own identity as a performer.

The module concludes in the public performance of this solo project.

Aerial Dance Techniques 3

This module enables you to develop aerial dance skills through focused practice. You will engage in up to three areas of aerial work, including working on the horizontal (hoop or trapeze), working on the vertical (rope or fabric) or vertical dance / harness work. There will be a focus on safe technique.

Clowning and Physical Comedy

This module introduces you to the history and development of clowning and physical comedy for performance. It provides contextualisation within historical, cultural, political and social discussions and encourages you to engage critically with the development of physical comedy and clown character in dance and physical theatre.

Dance Techniques 3

This module allows you to explore how corporeal expressivity manifests the embodiment of breath, flow, weight, skeletal articulation and use of timing, space and focus required for skilful dance performance.

Phrasing is considered in relation to use of transitions, development and elements of risk combined to extend use of physicality and technical range. Complex movement phrases and improvisational situations challenge you to work in greater depth, allowing for development of individual style.

Contextual aspects dance styles and approaches to technique arise through practice and discussions, supported by self, peer and tutor appraisal. You are expected to apply and develop key elements of ‘dance fitness’ in your personal preparation and practice of this module.

Dissertation Project

This investigative project encourages you to demonstrate a systematic understanding of a key area of dance practice or research. You will use a combination of written and/or practical methodologies to explore a research area that is of personal interest to you and also informed by aspects of the discipline.

You will also engage with more generic skills designed to extend your knowledge in relation to the demands of independent research. For instance, you will learn to select appropriate topics for research; use valid research methods including retrieval skills; engage with critical analysis and the evaluation of source material; and structure a coherent argument or line of enquiry in relation to both written and practical elements of the dissertation.

Interdisciplinary Arts Project

This module allows you to develop a cohesive interdisciplinary production that can be shown within a variety of performance contexts including local and national festivals of the arts and in an international context through exchange between Universities.

The module allows you to develop stage management, design and production skills in preparation for the final showing of the work.

In the process of working towards a final performance and/or exhibition, you will be engaged in the planning, choreographing/making and directing/supporting of your work, replicating an environment of a professional setting, supported by daily practice, feedback and guidance.