Dramatic Dance: An Actor's Approach to Dance as a Dramatic Art

Description

Dance is part of the art of theatre, a part which connects to movement, to communication, to improvisation, and to performance. It cannot exist on its own in the context of dramatic performance, but works in conjunction with other elements to enable meanings to be created in performance. Dramatic Dance sets a programme for actors to perform dance as part of the drama, offering several approaches which can contribute to developing this understanding, to training this skill, and always ensuring that the whole active and thinking body and mind are fully engaged with the task of making dance an integral and vital part of theatre. To study dance in this way allows students to develop further their understanding of logic and structure in a dramatic text. Many books deal with one aspect of dance or another: some on dance training, some on dance history, some on Rudolf Laban's ideas, some as dance manuals, and some as academic papers. Dramatic Dance is the first book to act as a comprehensive guide for theatre practice, bringing together these different, complementary disciplines.

Darren Royston is a Dance and Movement Tutor and Choreographer at RADA, and the Artistic Director and Choreographer for Nonsuch History and Dance. He is council member of many professional organizations including The Laban Guild for Movement and Dance, The European Association of Dance Historians, DANCE UK Choreographers' Forum and the Early Dance Circle (UK) and a member of UNESCO International Council for Dance.

Royston, a tutor at Rada, gives the reader a fascinating insight into the techniques used at this prestigious institution ... A lively exploration of how historical dance forms can be brought to life on stage. -- Gillian Spickernell * The Lady * Actors get so much from the practical experience of exploring historical dance ideas . . . Darren's fantastic, thorough approach to dance for the actor can be referred to throughout the rehearsal process and helps to unite the style of the production. * Jamie Lloyd, Director, She Stoops to Conquer, National Theatre, London * This all-embracing approach gives actors a grounding in fundamental stagecraft and a vital sense of body while preparing for a role. * Andrew Normington, Director, The Lord Chamberlain's Men & former Head of Acting, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School *