Evaluation-Rooster dance

My name is Natasha De-Graft Quansah, I am a dedicated dancer who was in the correct dance costume for the dance assessment, prepared to participate in the performance, been rehearsing over the dance piece. Also, I done a warm up so that my body is prepared and ready for the performance and is always on time and punctual to dance rehearsals/lessons.

The rooster dance piece required the technical elements of performance, characterization, projection, alignment and energy of the characters/dancers in the dance. Also, the dance needed attitude within the dance movements through the qualities of the movements and the qualities of the dynamics and actions that is being out within the groups of the dancers or the dancers dancing separately.

One of my strengths of the rooster dance was having good body alignment. For example, this was shown in the painted black motif as I was suspending into a tilt/lunge. As, I was holding myself correctly when dancing (showing great body control throughout the dance piece. Within the tilt/lunge my stomach muscles were engaged throughout, my knees were not locked because they were relaxed. My feet had to be in a parallel position when doing the tilt/lunge in the painted black section.

One of my strengths is showing the intention and meaning of the choreography. For example, this includes in the painted black section showing the meaning of the dance by being more elegant and tranquil. One way of how I could make my movements more elegant and tranquil is by practicing facial expressions in the mirror everyday-e.g. putting a smile on my face on the mirror, and by doing it every day it will help me to improve on self-expression and performance with my face. Also, to practice the dance in the mirror myself for rehearsing the dance piece. This could possibly include booking time for rehearsals

Also, incorporating the through the rhythmical cues in order to get the timing right. The strengths that I had in the dance rooster is a strong sustainment of technique and good quality in my flexibility and alignment in the dance. For example, in the painted black motif I had good alignment when it was sustaining and holding a balance and when in a duet in the painted black motif sustaining good balance and technique within my feet(it was pointed and not flexed).Also, it shows how I’m not showing balance and sustainment in the dance. By having good technique, I was able to perform the dance correctly and also it helped me execute my movements to a good extent.

One of my weaknesses of the rooster dance was that it was not showing enough of the rooster character. For example, before the painted black motif of when it was sliding on the floor I was not showing enough of the rooster character while doing that, which shows how I’m not representing the rooster how it should be presented as it is not showing a direct meaning to the dance. I have made improvements of my technique by practicing exercises which specifically helped me to improve my technique. Such as stretching more and doing the brush your feet exercise to help me with pointing my feet.

One of the targets that a have set to improve/work on for the next term is to work on more on my performance of the dance, by projecting more and not always looking down of when I perform. Another technical element which I need to improve on is interpretative skills which include facial and bodily expression which include showing intention and meaning of the purpose of the choreography of what it is trying to represent and show towards the audience. For example, when joined in the section "little red rooster" I was not showing enough facial expressions which decreased my lack in performance.

Furthermore, I need to show more response with the stimulus by in the section little red rooster I could show more engagement with the rooster type of character which trying to show by displaying rooster like characteristics being more cocky and jerky for myself to practice- which would help me with self-performance and self-belief. 

Another target, which I have chosen to work on and improve is my posture. For example, in the first section when I slide onto the floor, my body was not facing in the right angle. For that, I need to work on doing more core exercises such as crunches, sit ups, planks and etc. which will help me with my stomach muscles. Therefore, it will help with my posture more as by body should be positioned in the right direction.