In my previous article on the
real cost of a free seat at a dance performance, other aspects of what makes
dance performances possible were mentioned. These were – sound, light, sets,
props, costumes etc. Of course, the dance in terms of its composition, and the
dancer or dancers who are performing the dance composition are indisputably
fundamental for a dance performance. But we often tend to forget that there are
other integral elements to a dance performance. Indeed, sometimes it is the
case that dancers are forced by financial circumstances to ignore or diminish
the importance of these other aspects. They sometimes become subsidiary
elements, but really, they are vital.
Music or sound is undeniably a
crucial aspect of a dance performance. Whether it is recorded or live, music
and sound (even the sound of silence) are an integral part of the dance – they
are part of the choreographic decisions that are made to make a dance
performance presentable and meaningful. Because we commonly associate music
with dance in our daily lives as well (at weddings, parties, or discotheques),
this connection between the two is one that is less often taken for granted
than the other aspects of dance performance. Still, how much attention is paid
to the quality of sound in a dance performance is questionable. While often
dancers and musicians of the dance performance are helpless in this matter
because a particular venue has only a mediocre sound system, or only a limited
number of microphones, somewhere the dancers themselves have resigned to this
helplessness. Perhaps instead we need to look at what can be done about this..jpg)
Aside from sound which is
essential for a dance performance, lighting is also incredibly important. It is
not enough to keep the dancing body lit. Choreographic decisions are made on
the basis of the mood and nature of the piece. Good lighting can significantly
enhance the quality and communicative ability of a dance performance, whereas
bad lighting can take away from all this. Decisions are made regarding when the
dancers are fully lit, or in darkness; what colours of light highlight a particular
part of the piece and so on. Bad lighting can cause the dancer and the dance to
look flat and lifeless. Light designers are coming up all over the country. As
dancers and organizers of dance events, we should collectively make use of
them!
Sound and light aside, there are
other elements to a dance performance such as costumes, sets and props that can
transform a dance performance in the way it is presented. Each of these
elements are meant to be a part of the dance performance – as much a part – as
the dancing itself. We must collectively understand the centrality of these
‘subsidiary’ elements to a dance performance. Most dancers understand this,
many implement it, but there are several who simply cannot afford to take care
of all that financially. Therefore, it is equally important for the spectators
and organizers to understand their intrinsic value, in order to appreciate the
other artistic skill and labour that goes into a dance performance, and in
order to support the dance performance wholistically.
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