Because Momentums philosophy embraces direct, hands-on experiences for kids, each program can be followed by a movement workshop in which the companys dancers will explore themes presented in the show with children in the audience. After watching the dancers perform, kids are divided into groups. Each group is headed by a company member who explores the movement possibilities of the theme with the kids. Programs end in a show and tell where each group shows what they discovered. (Maximum 40 students in a workshop.)
American Work Songs A curriculum based program addressing American history, this program tells the story of work and labor in America through authentic songs sung by people to help them in their work. Accompanied live by storyteller and balladeer Judy Gail, the dancers perform to work songs of Native Americans addressing hunting and weaving, to songs from the early days of American development such as farming, the sea. A special section addresses the slave era and its unique music and movements. Other songs are from the industrial revolution including the railroads, coalmines and factories. Work as we know it today is addressed as well. Some songs such as John Henry and Take this Hammer will be familiar to students. Others will make the people, their lives, and working conditions come to life. (The Study Guide for this program is included as an attachment in this grant.
Best for grades 5-9. 1 singer/storyteller provides live accompaniment, 3 dancers. Available in 30 minute and one hour versions. *Educational study guide available.
Women of Valor This program, performed with singer/storyteller Judy Gail, offers mini-portraits in dance and music of women who shaped our nation, telling their stories and giving insight into their lives and times. Topics include human rights, slavery, womens suffrage, the labor movement and workers rights among others. Portraits include Clara Barton, Harriet Tubman, Dolores Huerta, Amelia Earhart, Sally Ride and many more. These valiant and influential women come to life as the dancers tell their stories accompanied by meticulously researched music from their eras.
Best for grades 6-12.1 singer/storyteller provides live accompaniment, 3 dancers. Available in 30 minute and one hour versions. *Educational study guide available.
Peter and the Wolf Momentum delights young audiences with a perennial childrens favorite! This classic folk tale with music by Russian composer Sergi Prokofiev is the most popular childrens work the company has ever offered! Kids join clever Peter and his friends the Bird and the Duck as they work together to outwit and capture the fierce Wolf. Other characters include grumpy Grandfather and the ridiculous Hunters. Each character is represented by a different instrument of the orchestra and a unique way of moving. Comedy, drama, suspense and excitement make this work a must-see experience.
Best for grades Pre-K 4. 8 dancers. Music on CD. 30 minutes in length. *Educational study guide available.
Mark Twains Jumping Frog of Calaveras County Beloved American author Mark Twains hilarious classic short story comes to life through dance. The story is told through Mark Twains prose, bluegrass and country music, colorful costumes and high-jumping dance movement. A must-see for students studying American literature!
Best for grades 5-9. 1 narrator, 3 dancers. Music on CD. *Educational study guide available.
Hansel and Gretel - Momentum uses excerpts from Humperdink's famous opera music to create just the right scary feeling. The Wicked Witch lures children to her candy-covered gingerbread house with the evil intention of eating them! Brave and clever Gretel saves her brother from a terrible fate! The cast includes Father and Mother as well as the Angel that protects children and the Witchs evil helper, the Crow.
Best for grades Pre-K 4. 5 dancers. Music on CD. 30 minutes in length. *Educational study guide available.
Goldilocks and the Three Bears This fun-filled childrens classic tells the story of spoiled Goldilocks and how the three bears teach her a lesson after she disrupts their charming home. The story, featuring colorful costumes and upbeat, character-oriented dance movement, is told through dance, music and narration. Goldilocks transforms from a spoiled brat into a delightful young lady after her encounter with the three bears.
Best for grades Pre-K 4. 4 dancers. Music on CD. 30 minutes in length. *Educational study guide available.
Red Riding Hood Little Red Riding Hood learns not to talk to strangers, and gets a big scare! The childrens classic story is told through music, narration and dance. Colorful costumes, comic characterizations and exciting dance sequences add to the familiar story.
Best for grades Pre-K 4. 4 dancers. Music on CD. 30 minutes in length. *Educational study guide available.
Counting Songs Momentums newest childrens work teaches the multiplication tables (1-12) with clever songs and fun dance movement. The work features an original score by Devin Marsh. The dancers are assisted by hand puppets, stuffed animals, hats & canes, hand-held percussion instruments and more as they romp through the times tables.
Best for grades 3-6. 5 dancers. Music on CD. 30 minutes in length. * Educational study guide pending.
Fish Tales This exciting and colorful environmentally conscious work tells the story of marine life on Floridas coral reefs and their beautiful, but fragile environment. Meet Madame Manatee and Senora Stingray as they lead the underwater inhabitants (peppermint stripe shrimp, parrotfish, jellyfish, grouper and more) in cleaning up their neglected reef. This program is fun and empowering as the characters send a message of personal responsibility for conservation. Colorful, imaginative costumes and an original Caribbean style musical score make Fish Tales a must see!
Best for grades 1-5. 5 dancers. Music on CD. 30 minutes in length. *Educational study guide available.
How We Make Dances Through performance of age-appropriate selections from Momentums extensive repertory, dancers demonstrate basic ideas of dance composition such as levels in space, speed, dynamics, use of body parts in isolation, theme, and emotion. These are illustrated by movement demonstrations and the repertory excerpts. Kids give dancers "movement assignments" to complete. Audiences receive a basic education in understanding the structure of dance and how to look at, evaluate, and appreciate it.
Adaptable for all grade levels and adults. 8 dancers. Music on CD. Post performance audience discussion recommended. *Educational study guide available.
Master Classes
1 hour to 1 1/2 hours
Master Classes taught by Momentum company members are available in modern dance, jazz, Afro-Cuban dance, ballet, improvisation, repertory, and partnering. Classes are offered at beginning through advanced levels for students age 6-12 (Children's Classes) as well as adults and teens. Repertory and partnering are reserved for advanced students only.
Workshops
1 1/2 to 3 hours (depending on age group and level of dance training)
Dance Composition - This workshop in the basics of creating dances helps students explore issues such as: use of space, body, dynamics, structure, and theme. It also deals with development of individual creative process and personal movement style. Students develop their own movement segments, then show and discuss with company members.
Movement for Actors - A special workshop to help actors develop movement in conjunction with scripted material. Emphasis is on showing ideas through movement and developing movement for characters. Aimed at age 12 and over.
Dance Teacher Training - Specialized programs for dance teachers provide detailed techniques of teaching dance to students from age 3 to adults. Techniques provided are applicable to modern dance, jazz, and ballet teachers. Specific exercises and sample classes are included; as well as discussions on how to handle difficult children, how to work with the physical problems of certain body types, how best to nurture the exceptional student, etc.
Lecture Demonstrations
One to 1 1/2 hours including question and answer period.
Best for high school to adult audiences.
Momentum's Lecture Demonstrations are interactive educational programs designed to explore ideas about dance in some depth and to give audiences greater insight and confidence in looking at and evaluating dance for themselves.
Looking at Dance - This extremely popular program could be called an introduction to dance criticism. It breaks dance works down into their component parts (space, structure, use of the body, theme, dynamics), and has the audience analyze them through questions and discussion. Audiences are shown how they can repeat this process with any dance work they might view to gain a better understanding and appreciation of the art form.
Exploring Context - This fascinating program shows how much context controls our perceptions of meaning in dance and art. Through manipulation of the context of several dance works, the company shows how diverse the interpretations of the same dance movement can be. Every dance critic, as well as local newspaper arts writers, should see this program.
Artists in Collaboration - Momentum presents several works created in collaboration with artists from different disciplines (composers, visual artists, architects, dancers from other dance traditions). Discussion centers on the nature of the collaborative process, how that process can be quite different with different artists, what are the difficulties in collaboration; as well as which collaborations were more successful and which were less so and why. Availability subject to the schedules of the participating artists.
Artist Round Table Discussions
One hour to ?? (depending on how intense the discussion becomes)
These are informal discussions with artists of all disciplines from the local area to talk about artists' concerns, problems, insights, etc. These have been very popular, particularly helping to demystify dance in areas where not much professional dance has been seen. Also excellent for presenters to offer in advance of a concert to create local interest.
Historical Lectures/Video Presentations
One hour plus question & answer period
These are excellent to offer in advance of a performance to civic groups and clubs who are interested in learning more about the upcoming concert. They are particularly useful when facilities do not permit actual dance activity.
Children's Dance Classes
One hour
Ages 3-5
These are distinguished from Master classes and technique classes because they are aimed at the youngest group of children, and are oriented toward providing a fun, creative, positive, dance movement experience rather than instruction in a specific dance technique. Classes emphasize coordination, locomotor movement, rhythm, strength building, and creative exercises.
Mini-Performances
One hour
Mini-Performances are short presentations, often of excerpts from repertory rather than full length works. They include some narration and explanation. They are typically given in facilities where a full performance is not possible, or as a preview event in advance of a full concert. They provide a "taste" of what the company has to offer.
305-858-7002
www.MomentumDance.com
