Assessment 1: Performance (80%)
An innovative dance performance that is assessed through your individual input into the ideas generation, planning, development and rehearsal process leading to a final production. [Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]


Assessment 2: Journal (20%)
A reflective account of your journey through the innovative dance performance process, culminating in a summative evaluation discussing the suitability of the dance performance for the audience. This should be presented in a professional format and may be: a traditional journal, blog, vlog, podcast, or an alternative negotiated with the module leader.
[Learning Outcomes 1, 3, 4]

Formative Assessment
Observation of engagement in practical activity
Participation in discussions and progress reviews including reflective practice

To be successfully employed you need to know not only about traditional performance arenas but also about innovation within your sector. With changes to revenue streams and routes to audiences, performers have to be constantly evaluating and responding to the changing opportunities. Traditional experiences have evolved to create interactive, immersive and sometimes audience-led performative expectations. This creates a dynamic and exciting alternative to traditional approaches.

This module is designed to allow you to explore innovative approaches to performance both past and present, examining the work and impact of other practitioners and movements whilst experimenting in your own practice. You will consider how innovation is dependent upon culture, audiences, technology, politics and socio-economics. Bearing this in mind and drawing on your existing skills and knowledge you will be expected to generate ideas for dance performance opportunities that are innovative in both approach and content. These will be developed through workshops and rehearsals and will take account of structure, styles, language, themes, technical elements and approach. Whatever your dance specialism, whether it be a specific style of dance or a combination of several, you will be expected to be experimental in the application of innovative methods in order to be bold, brave and pioneering in your field. You will explore the use of innovative writings (e.g. dance notation, texts, manuscripts, scores, libretti and lyrics) that have developed out of and beyond the classic Laban system. You will consider how your work may be interpreted, how an innovative approach will affect the performance process and also the demands it will place on you and others in both a performance and audience capacity. For example, this could be something that is time and/or location specific, a response to a political event or use of new technologies.

Collaboratively and integrating ideas and features, you will go through the processes that lead to the mounting of a full scale dance performance for an identified target audience. This will require team work to negotiate the intended outcome and to establish roles and responsibilities. Whilst this is a collaborative project your individual and professional approach is essential. You will be expected to commit to planning, risk assessment, rehearsal and venue management. This will obviously generate challenges that need to be met and you will negotiate with your peers and propose options for solutions in order to ensure successful results. In doing this you will be able to approach entry-level professional performance with an appreciation of the demands required.

Whilst the emphasis of this module is placed on practical skills development, learning will begin with an introduction to the requirements of the module, followed by a series of underpinning lectures and workshops through which you will analyse and contextualise this specific genre of performance. Activities will typically include:
• Research workshops focussing on innovative practice and the evolution of performance
• Watching performances both live and recorded
• Technical workshops
• Health and safety recap
• Reflective practice recap

Informed by these activities, application of learning and the extension of your practical skill in a professional context will be facilitated through experimental sessions, performance workshops and rehearsals leading to a resolved performance. All aspects of the process will be supported through:
• Tutorials
• Group critiques
• Group discussion, planning processes and negotiation
• Reflective practice
• Visits to the theatre, gigs and alternative performance
• Independent and collaborative rehearsal and performance
• Summative performance to audience

Bremser, M. (2011) Fifty Contemporary Choreographers: Routledge*
Franklin, E. (2004) Conditioning for Dance: Human Kinetics*
Gilbert, A (2015) Creative Dance for All Ages 2nd Edition: Human Kinetics
Kloetzel, M. (2011) Site Dance: University Press of Florida
Newlove, J. & Dalby, J (2003) Laban for All: Nick Hern Books
Preston-Dunlop, V (2010) Dance and the Performative: Dance Books Ltd
Preston-Dunlop, V. (2014) Looking at Dances: A Choreological Perspective on Choreography: The Noverre Press

*Core Text on Foundation Degree Dance Performance and Industry – Newcastle-under-Lyme College

WEBSITES AND ONLINE JOURNAL
International Association for Dance Medicine and Science (including Journal of Dance Medicine and Science (JDMS): available at www.iadms.org
Dance Education in Practice: available at www.tandfonline.com
DANCE – Arts Journal: available at www.artsjournal.com
Dance Research Journal: available at www.cambridge.org

PERIODICALS
Dance Magazine
Dancing Times

Rehearsal studio(s)
Performance Venue
IPads
CD / USB / iPod
Instruments / backline equipment
Internet and IT Access
Assorted Costumes / Props
VLE

1. DEMONSTRATE AN UNDERSTANDING OF INNOVATIVE DANCE PERFORMANCE APPROACHES AND MAKE SOUND JUDGMENTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE COMPLEXITY OF MOUNTING A FULL-SCALE PRODUCTION. (Learning, Knowledge & Understanding)

2. DEPLOY APPROPRIATE TECHNIQUES IN THE RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS OF INNOVATIVE DANCE PERFORMANCE APPROACHES IN ORDER TO INFORM AND INSPIRE BRAVE AND PIONEERING CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT. (Enquiry)

3. IDENTIFY CHALLENGES AND NEGOTIATE REALISTIC SOLUTIONS WHEN MOUNTING A FULL-SCALE INNOVATIVE DANCE PRODUCTION. (Problem Solving)

4. RECOGNISE OWN SKILLS AND LEARNING ABILITY IN ORDER TO PROFESSIONALLY MANAGE OWN CONTRIBUTION TO THE CONCEPTION, DEVELOPMENT AND PRESENTATION OF AN INNOVATIVE DANCE PERFORMANCE. EVALUATE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE PERFORMER AND THE AUDIENCE. (Reflection)

5. WORK PROFESSIONALLY WITH FELLOW CREATIVES AND AUDIENCES THROUGHOUT THE CONCEPTION, DEVELOPMENT AND PRESENTATION OF AN INNOVATIVE DANCE PERFORMANCE, TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE TEAM. (Working with Others)