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Case Study - The art of rehearsal directing

 
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Case Study - The art of rehearsal directing

Natalia Chimpeanu

      Title
      • Case Study - The art of rehearsal directing
      Subtitle
      • Diplom MA Dance Teaching and Coaching Dance Professionals
      Author
      Project title in German
      • Case Study - The art of rehearsal directing
      Date
      • 29.04.2023
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      Description
      • DIPLOMA PROJECT

        My Master Thesis looks at ways in which dance companies can streamline their working methods, organising more efficient and effective rehearsals for preserving the art of dance as a catalyst of emotional and narrative thought, as well as developing a pleasant and productive working environment. It presents a case study based on the work of George Balanchine with the New York City Ballet. The techniques he used as a teacher and ballet master will be evidenced. It looks at ways the ballet master can deliver the maximum amount of information in a minimum amount of time and to make sure that the information is applied and retained by the dancers.

        The case study is based on the analysis of footage and resources in which dancers trained by George Balanchine present their experience of working with him and display their interest in finding ways to transfer the knowledge onto new generations. To offer a perspective, these examples are placed under the lenses of a theoretical framework of analysis composed by recent research in the field of education and applied to the professional dance context. Recent research in the field of pedagogy will be applied to the professional dance context and will highlight the way in which motivation, praise and feedback strategies facilitate skill acquisition and enhance performance.It becomes evident how the implementation of a dancer-focused approach, supplemented by feedback methods and the use of imagery contributes to the establishment of an efficient working environment, contributing to proficient rehearsals.

        Working as a rehearsal director is both a logistical and creative challenge, where efficiency is essential for the development of the craft. I will be looking at the tools and techniques one can reach out to, for facilitating the rehearsal process. This ensures a proficient final product in an environment that focuses on the dancer. I considered the notion of a dancer-centred paradigm defined by Sarah Knox and explore it into the realm of the rehearsal process. In my research, I found very limited literature discussing the position of a rehearsal director, and even less discussing the complex nature of the rehearsal director’s role. The context of this study can reveal the intricate nature of the rehearsal process, as well as the diversity of the roles and experiences between dancers and rehearsal directors.

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