Example Of Experiencing The Elements Of Dance In Alvin Aileys Creations Creative Writing

Revelations is a dance created by Alvin Ailey. This production is the focus of this paper as the writer expresses in the succeeding sections the experience while watching this amazingly choreographed dance. The elements of position, movement, mise-en-scene, and music would each be elaborated as manifested in Revelations. The first, position refers to the location or the space occupied by the dancer. This can also be the space in between the dancers or the position the dancer holds relative to the entire dance assemble. Where is that person located and what are the things he/she does within that occupied space and position. The second is movement, and this is very important because the message of the dance is expressed through a series of movements.
Movement is the core of dance because it is through a series of movements that dancers are able to present the message of this form of creative and artistic expression. Mise-en-scene refers to the entire visual presentation of the performance. It is everything that the audience can see onstage while the dance is being performed. This include the setting, props, costumes, the dancers, and even their expressions. Music is the accompanying sound of the production. This is also a core element because music holds together the movement of the dancers and their positions on stage. The success of the dance is in many ways dependent on the movement’s interaction with the music.
Among these elements, mise-en scene is the most difficult to recognize because of the constant movement. The dancers move very quickly in successive intricate patterns that it is difficult to point out all the visual presentation at one time. The movement elicited the most response from this writer because these are simply awesome and very well executed. The turns look effortless and the dancers move so much in unison with each other.
Movement has the most repetition. This viewer saw that in Revelations, Wade in the Water, Sinner Man, and Ready there were at least three movements that were often repeated—the quick numerous turns that becomes quicker and quicker, the stretching of the hands slowly towards the sky, and the body leaning on one side at an almost 45 degree angle. This viewer also found the slowing down of the movement and holding a pose, much like a tableau and often repeated act. The hands stretched out in various angles, with the body bend or slanted to one side all together form very unique and extraordinary patterns.
Mise-en-scene’s constant use of bold backdrop is shown in Revelations then replicated in the other works. There was the single big moon in Wade in the Water, the shining yellow light from above of I am Ready and the red sky in Sinner Man. These bold backdrops have placed emphasis on the contrast between the dancers and the vast space from which they exist. For example, there’s a scene in Wade in the Water where three dancers move in unison with the waves of the ocean. The blue waters’ slow movement blends together with the slow movements of the dancers’ hips and arms. The picture being presented is that of dancers being just a tiny part of the big body of water in the universe.
The music—beats, drums, and vocals create the general mood. There are parts wherein the beats increase and the volume of the music grows louder, sometimes the vocals would come at this point. This is the portion when the viewer would have feelings of anxiety and anticipation, something is bound to happen. Then the movements increase and the leaps of the dancers become more frequent and their turns grow faster and faster. And then it stops, the moment is frozen, a pose is created. When the pose is created, that is the part when the tension is released. The lines, angles, shadows, and facial expressions all contribute to an awesome experience felt by the viewer.
One change that this viewer is contemplating is a variation in the mise-en-scene, in the aspect of the lighting. Instead of the general dim lighting, perhaps there would be spotlights. However, if this change is implemented the eerie and serene atmosphere would be lessened. This writer believes that the sense of surreal realism would be minimized with the introduction of more bright lights.
The experience of the dance is more intense than viewing the film (of the previous assignment). Since there are no dialogues, the message of the dance is absorbed more naturally without going through the barriers of mental thought. This viewer is very pleased with the experience. The questions that came to mind were (a) what kind of training did the dancers undergo to be able to perform excellently and appear effortless; (b) was AlvinAiley very particular in selecting his dancers; and (c) would the dance be as captivating if there were White dancers doing some parts? Indeed, this experience has been a rewarding one. The viewer was able to experience the different elements of the dance and at the same time gained an understanding about the experience of the Black people.