Dance theory

Dance theory is the philosophy underpinning contemporary dance, including formal ideologies, aesthetic concepts, and technical attributes.^[1] It is a fairly new field of study, developing largely in the 20th Century. It can be considered a branch of expression theory^[2] and is closely related to music theory and specifically musicality.^[3] While musicality deals with finding a particular matching pair of dance and music that fit each other in various respects, dance theory is a broad term encompassing the origins, styles, genre, footwork, artistic expression, etc. of dance.

Three broad categories of dance theory, as you may find them described in universities or dance institutes, are philosophy (concerning the aesthetic meanings behind dance, or semiotics), choreology (movement analysis and description), sociology (regarding the role of dance in society and culture).^[4]

Dance theory deals with anatomical movements (such as foot-work, etc.), as well as partner interactions, and their associations to each other and to music as art. It explores the communicative, physical, mental, emotional, and artistic aspects of dance as a medium of human expression and interaction. In doing so the various nuances between the dance genres and styles are analyzed with respect to their social settings and cultures.

As dance is a ubiquitous element of culture, dance theory attempts to determine the instinctual nature of dance, and what makes various movements appear natural or forced.

See also

• Dance research
• Music theory
• Musicality (dance)

References

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Course Description: Dance Theory and Composition, 2003.
2. Milton H. Snoeyenbos and Carole A. Knapp, Dance Theory and Dance Education, Journal of Aesthetic Education, Vol. 13, No. 3 (Jul., 1979), pp. 17-30.
3. Nichelle, Musicality In Dance: What Is It? Can It Be Taught? March 29, 2010
4. Contemporary-Dance.org Dance Theory