Giselle - Ghost Dances Workshop

We understand that taking a ballet workshop can be a little intimidating for some students.  There are a lot of preconceived notions about what ballet might be, that can get in the way of your students’ enjoyment of the artform.

The Ghost Dances Workshop seeks to break through these barriers.  On completion of this workshop, your students will have an improved appreciation of ballet, choreography, technique and narrative. But even better, they’ll have created their own ghost or zombie inspired dance. They will love teaching this dance to their friends during lunch breaks.

In 2013, we are touring the dark and romantic Giselle.  During the Ghost Dances workshop, students will be introduced to the characters of the Wilis – the spirits of young women who have died before their wedding day.  Students will be taught a phrase of Wilis’ repertoire from Giselle. They will then be taught choreographic devices to manipulate the choreography, turning it from Romantic ballet into a contemporary or modern dance phrase.  Students can incorporate references to pop culture and social dance styles – such as Thriller, Tim Burton films or the Zombie Walk – into their choreographic phrase.

In its entirety, this workshop examines repertoire, character development, choreography and progression of dance in history, tracking how inspiration from the classics can result in new contemporary dance moves!

Ghost Dances is suitable for students from years 5 to 12.  No dance experience necessary.  The workshop can be pitched at Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced levels.

This workshop is designed with the Queensland Dance Syllabus in mind, in consultation with an Education Specialist.

Price

All Ghost Dances workshops offered in regional Queensland during the Regional Tour are free of charge.