Movie Musical Performers

Answer the following questions:

1) In your own words, define choreography.

2) View this clip from Busby Berkeley’s Footlight Parade. This dance number stars Ruby Keeler.Using at least 4 complete sentences, discuss the essence of story telling through movement/choreography.

Footlight Parade (1933) – Shanghai Lil (Full Scene) (Links to an external site.)

3) View this clip from Follow the Fleet starring Ginger Rogers. Using at least 4 complete sentences, describe performances of the following dancers, focus on what stood out specifically to you. Examples: Style, Effort, Performance Energy, Use of props or partner work, Aesthetics Etc

Follow The Fleet (1936) – "Let Yourself Go" – Ginger Dances Alone (Links to an external site.)

4) View the clips below. The first one is from The Littlest Rebel and the next one is from Little Colonel starring Shirley Temple and Bill Bojangles Robinson. Using at least 4 complete sentences, describe the personality and performance of this unique dance partnership.

Shirley Temple – The Littlest Rebel – 1935 (Links to an external site.)

Little Colonel Bojangles Dance (Links to an external site.)

5) View the film clips starring Eleanor Powell. (Begin the Beguine with Fred Astaire & Lady Be Good) Using at least 4 complete sentences, describe performances of the following dancers, focus on what stood out specifically to you. Examples: Style, Effort, Performance Energy, Use of props or partner work, Aesthetics Etc

Begin The Beguine (Links to an external site.)

Amazing Tap Dance with trained dog (Links to an external site.)

6) View these two dance numbers performed by the Nicholas Brothers. (Down Argentine Way & Stormy Weather) Using at least 4 complete sentences, describe performances of the following dancers, focus on what stood out specifically to you.

The Nicholas Brothers .. Down Argentine way. (Links to an external site.)

Jumpin Jive – Cab Calloway and the Nicholas Brothers (Links to an external site.)

7) Analyze the choreography of Jumpin Jive (from Stormy Weather) through the elements of dance. Be very specific about your use of time, space and energy. Be sure to share detailed examples from the dance number.

8) Compare/contrast these famous dance in film performers. What did you notice specifically about them as a group. Who stood out the most to you individually? Why?