https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8MBg_V82v8&feature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxuOAdEO0oE&feature=youtu.be

Piece Information: (Make sure you include this information below in your opening paragraph)

LynchTown (1936)

Choreography by Charles Weidman

Music by Lehman Engel

Instructions:

Watch both of the above video links (only one critique but you can look at different versions of the same piece). Then write a three paragraph critique using the Mini Video Critique Guidelines. This piece is could easily connect with things that are happening in our current world even though it was created in 1936, please feel free to include your thoughts on this in your critique.

Make sure you included the information listed above about the piece in the opening paragraph. Also remember that your readers have NOT seen this piece so do your best to describe it to them within your critique. Use the information you have learned in your lectures and readings to help support your thoughts. Since you are watching two versions please make sure you include that detail in your critique and included comments about the different versions in your support paragraphs.

Mini Video Critique Guidelines

You will have 2 short video critiques that will prep you for your full video critique. Each of these are worth 75 points for a total of 150 points for both.

For each mini video critique you need to write three paragraph critique format with a minimum of 5 sentences in each paragraph. The critique will start with an introduction paragraph that clearly states what piece you saw and all the details about the piece (including title, choreographer, music and all information given to you). You must also have a thesis that tells the reader what you will be discussing in the body of the essay. You will follow with one support paragraph that covers the details of the piece you saw. Ask yourself questions about the movements, genres, choreographers, time in history, costumes, dancers and more. Finally in your third paragraph, you will wrap it up for the reader, briefly recapping the important items and helping the reader know why these details are relevant.

You should write your critique with the idea that your readers have not seen the pieces and have no knowledge of them. You must paint a clear picture of the pieces without just writing step by step details of the story you envision. Think about the important details and how you can discuss them in an interesting way to grab your readers. You will be given all the program information for the pieces you have to watch, but it is advised to do outside reach to support your thoughts.

Suggestions for things that could be included or places to look for ideas to begin when watching videos:

1. Can you apply class terminology to the description of the performance?
2. Analyze what you drew you into the piece and what kept you out (likes and dislikes) and explain why or why not.
3. Identify production elements: costumes, music/sound, lights, props, stage design
4. Describe the movements.
5. Did the choreography hold your attention? How did it convey the theme or atmosphere of the piece? What were the mood, images and ideas conveyed?
6. Was the program based on a narrative/storyline or more abstract?
7. What style of dance (s) could you identify (i.e. ballet, modern, jazz, ethnic, etc.)?
8. What could have been done to enhance the performance?
9. Do you think seeing this piece on video made it different then if you saw it in a theatre live?