Cultural Event Report A Companion to Ballet and Dance B.docx
- 1. Cultural Event Report: A Companion to Ballet and Dance Below are prompts to help you identify and analyze different aspects of a dance performance and the context from which the dance (or dances) emerge. Make a copy of this sheet and bring along to refer to for your notes. From them you can either develop the required Humanities Report - 2.5 to 4 pages, or an optional Extra Credit Report (1.5 to 3 pages. The required report usually focuses on reporting overall impressions, careful descriptions, and comments on interesting details about the full range of dance elements as noted here in the prompts. It should include a comparison of dances, if there are sets of them. It should discuss different dancers. An Extra Credit Report is 1.5 to 3 pages, and is a reduced version of the regular report. It should cover the main categories here, but with fewer details. Company Date of Performance Location (describe the space, the audience, the atmosphere) The Dance program: Overall impressions and comments on these aspects: Subjects of the dance Choreography
- 2. Types of Music Is there an obvious theme (driving idea) A less obvious one? Compare what you expected to your actual experience of the dances (what you saw and heard): Type(s) of Dances. Describe and comment on dances that stood out for you and why (strengths, weaknesses, surprises). The Dancers. Soloists and their roles. What kind of ways do the dancers perform singly and together (physically, theatrically. . .)? Be specific. Choreography (the art of creating and arranging dance patterns) Music The Staging (lighting, costumes, and set design) The style, period, or national tradition The larger Context (from program notes/ reviews? other resources—may require some research) Philosophical (greater wisdom from dance) Historical influence Social and/or Religious meanings Your Response (what you like, what you think, what you feel)
- 3. H101 Musical Theater Assignment Worksheet Answer all the questions on this worksheet. Use your answers to develop an organized, informed, critically aware, insightful and well-written essay to post in Blackboard. Correct punctuation, capitalization, and sentence structure will also be part of your grade. Title your file: MusThea_ YourName_Sect#_year/term. A. BASIC INFORMATION: Record the production title, day and date you attended, where the production took place, length of performance, time of intermission, main performers. Describe your impressions of the theater, the composition and general “mood” of the audience. B. RESPOND TO THE PERFORMANCE; ANSWER THEATRICAL SPECIFICS: 1. Name the main characters and briefly describe them. Did their costumes suit the time/locale of the performance? Did colors or style suggest anything about the characters? 2. Describe the plot in your own words (200 or less; do not copy a synopsis). Focus on organization, pivotal scenes. 3. Who composed the music for this musical? Who wrote the lyrics?
- 4. 4. Choose a song from the show. Describe what you can remember about it. What made it memorable? Be sure to include information about the music also, not just the lyrics. 5. What was the sound and period “style” of the music in general? Explain (distinctive instruments, ways of playing them, etc.). 6. Were there dances in the musical? If so, who choreographed them? Describe and comment on what stood out for you about the choreography. Why? 7. What exactly did see on that stage? Can you detect designer choices? Are they true to type? - The set(s): Describe them. Are they realistic, fantastic, or abstract? How did they contribute to (or detract from) the overall impact of the show? - The lighting: How is the lighting used to increase the impact? Colors? Angles? - Sounds: How are they used? Effects? - The Plot. How is it staged? What devices helped you to follow the story? Enjoy the experience? What did not work for you? Why? - The actors. How did the actors move and speak? Did they seem like “real” people? Which character was most developed? How demonstrated? Did you prefer this one over the others? Why? Visually, musically, and dance-wise: What was the overall style and impact of the production? 8. Interpretation, by the director. Why do you think the playwright wrote this musical? Based on a book? A controversy?
- 5. 9. Your expectations. Why did you select this production? What did you expect? 10. Your assessment. How was this experience different from other theater productions that you have seen? When did the playwright’s choice of character, environment, story, language, music, song, or dance create a mood and have meaning for you? Why? Did the visual impact, and the music reinforce or weaken the theme of the production? How? What do think the theme of the production was? 11. What did you take away from the theater? Pleasantly entertained without having to think? A sobering comment on life that did not entertain? A plea or call to action that over-stated its case? Insight into one’s own problems? A determination to do something about the problems? 12. Expansion. Reflecting back, what connections or comparisons can you make to examples and ideas in our studies? Implications: What conflicts of cultural values does this performance suggest? How might this production apply to life situations today? C. Then, write up your report! Follow General Instructions for a Performance Report in the Humanities Report folder. Before the essay starts, list proof(s) of attendance you submitted or posted in BB9 (signed Ticket, dated “selfie” in venue, or other indubitable proof). Carterf/HUMANITIES Art Music Concert Guidelines
- 6. General approach: Note treatment of basic elements, describe overall impressions, focus on 2 pieces in detail, compare, interpret, and assess them. A. Basic information: 1. Record date you attended, where production took place. Describe the environment and audience. 2. Record the name of the company performing, production title, length of performance, intermissions. 3. Explain the order of the program (is it laid out in historical, narrative, thematic manner?). 4. Take notes on the program pamphlet. Note key elements of the performance and how they worked. B. Respond to the performance and to the pertinent music concert questions below. 1. Describe, generally, the type of production you attended (symphony, quartet, etc.). a. What kind of space was it performed in? What was the audience like? b. Was there a theme to the concert? c. Summarize the composers and the types of pieces performed ( no more than 150 words). 2. Focus works: Which two stood out for you? a. When were the pieces written? If there are no dates, guess, then look it up later. b. What kinds of instruments and/or voices were used? What was most outstanding? c. What cultural styles did you encounter? (classical, gospel, jazz, folk or ethnic music, etc.). d. What key formal style(s), key musical elements, and
- 7. compositional forms did you notice? e. What kind of musical patterns did you notice? (rhythm, melody, harmony, dynamics, etc. . . ). f. If there was a story, costumes, movement, lyrics describe them and their relation to music. 3. Were there soloists? What instruments were featured? What was the relation between the solo instrument and the rest of the group? Like a conversation? Call and response? Soloist starts theme, then joins the group? Solo instrument with other instruments as accompaniment?) Please explain. 4. Interpretation: List some adjectives to describe the mood this music created in you and the thoughts you experienced during the performance or in retrospect. What did you hear in the music that suggested these moods and ideas? 5. Expectations and Assessment: Why did you choose to attend this production? What did you expect? Describe anything you liked or enjoyed. Use musical terms and ideas from the questions above. Describe anything you disliked or did not enjoy. Did the music suggest a situation you could recognize or to which you could relate? Compare to other forms of music you know. 6. Expansion: Reflecting back, what connections or comparisons would you make to arts and ideas related to our studies? For example, if you could illustrate this music with a work of art from our text, what would it be? Why? Who do you think would appreciate a
- 8. performance of this piece of music (your friends, adults, children, dancers, musicians, etc.). Why? Implications: What cultural values does this performance suggest? C. Write up your Report! Follow General Instructions of the Performance Report. NOTE: Before you start the project and once again before you finish your final draft, consult the Criteria and Grading Rubric. Proofread for spelling, grammar, clarity of meaning before you turn it in. Visual and Plastic Arts - Architecture observation. 1. For a work of architecture, a building created as a work of art, you need to consider three things and how they go together: - its aesthetic functions (the looks and style of a building), - its practical functions and - its symbolism. For example, for a public building, a museum, place of worship, a school, or residence the aesthetic function must serve its practical structural design, symbolic, and aesthetic functions. Here are some more important questions to answer for a building (some of this may involve background research). 2. Structure and materials. How is it put together? What kind of
- 9. materials? How are they assembled? How is the building supported? Is the building or set of buildings laid out in a pattern? Is it symmetrical or asymmetrical? Pre- planned or add-on? Explain. 3. Scale and proportion. How does the size relate to the human form? What emotional sensations result from scale? 4. Formal Context (inside). What do you think of the layout? How do the shapes and spaces serve the purposes of the building? (consider the rituals and other activities that are done there). Do the spaces assist or slow down smooth traffic of people? Where is the flow? Where are the stopping points? 5. Formal Context (outside). How does the building relate to its environment? Does it reflect or compete with its surroundings? Does it blend in? Does it dominate? Where is it located in relation to the town? Was climate a factor in the design? 6. Symbolism. Does the shape of the building have a symbolic meaning? Do the decorative elements contribute to the function and symbolism of the building (painting, sculpture, etc.) 7. Looks and Style. Describe its overall aesthetic appeal and stylistic appearance and details that support it. Is there a name for the style of this building? Is this building unique, or is it a type? Where did the style come from? 8. Historical context and extension: What is the history the building—the who,
- 10. what, when, where, why of it? Who commissioned it? Who designed it? Where is it located? What is its purpose? From your observations, to who does it seem to appeal to? What messages does it seem to send about itself? 8. Important—Your Informed Reaction. How do the previous elements combine to create a reaction in you? In other words, what draws your attention? What is your emotional and intellectual response to the architecture, and what causes that response? In other words, what kind of mood or thoughts does it convey to you? What in the building suggests this? What kind of impact do you think the building itself has on its function? Things that might contribute include visual elements and composition (structure, color, textures, focus point, patterns, strong contrasts, diagonal lines, suggested movement), materials, historical or psychological, or symbolic context, your own preferences and associations. CENTRAL VALLEY ART MUSEUMS (check days + hours before visiting) Haggin Museum, Stockton 1201 N Pershing Ave, Stockton, CA 95203 (209) 940-6300. www.hagginmuseum.org/ (focus on art, not historical artifacts). Sat & Sun, 12:00 to 5:00 pm. Wed thru Fri, 1:30 to 5:00 p.m. (last admission 4:40 p.m.)
- 11. Click 1st & 3rd Thursdays, 1:30 to 9:00 p.m. Special events (last admission 8:40 p.m.) FREE Day: 1st Saturday of the month Fresno Art Museum. 2233 North First Street Fresno, CA 93703 | 559-441-4221 Hours: Thurs – Sun, 11am – 5 pm web: http://fresnotartmuseum.org LOCAL and REGIONAL ART CENTERS and GALLERIES: MJC Art Gallery, E. Campus 10am – 5 pm M-Th (check MJC Homepage) Modesto and regional Art Galleries (check Modesto Bee entertainment section) Mistlin Gallery (CCA Art Association) 1015 J St Modesto http://ccaagallery.org/ Turlock: Carnegie Arts Center. 250 N. Broadway www.carnegieartsturlock.org/ Turlock: CSU Stanislaus Art Gallery https://www.csustan.edu/art-gallery San Francisco and Bay Area ART MUSEUMS (For shows, click on http://www.sfbayareagalleryguide.com/specialinterest.html For Free Days at Museums, click here: http://freemuseumday.org/sf.html (Remember: look for ART museum and/or ART galleries). San Francisco Museum of Modern Art ‧ (415) 357-4000 ‧ 151 Third Street San Francisco, CA 94103 Hours:10 a.m.–5 p.m. and Th til 9 p.m. Plan ahead: Purchase tickets online. web: sfmoma.org/ de Young Museum 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, San Francisco, 94118 ‧ (415) 750-3600 ‧
- 12. T-Sun 9:30-5:15, Fri 9:30-8:45 web: famsf.org/deyoung/ Legion of Honor Lincoln Park, San Francisco, 94121 ‧ (415) 750-3600 ‧ T-Sun 9:30-5:15 web: famsf.org/legion/index.asp Asian Art Museum 200 Larkin Street, San Francisco, 94102 ‧ (415) 581-3500 ‧ T-Sun 10-5 web: asianart.org Oakland Museum of California 1000 Oak Street, Oakland, 94607 (510) 238-2200 ‧ W-Sun 11-5, Th/Fr 11-8 web: museumca.org University of California Berkeley Art Museum 2155 Center Street, Berkeley. Wednesday–Sunday, 11 AM to 9 PM (510) 642-0808 ‧ web: bampfa.berkeley.edu San Jose Museum of Art 110 So. Market Street, San Jose, 95113 (408) 271-6840 ‧ T-Sun 11-5 web:sjmusart.org/ OTHER AREA CALIFORNIA ART MUSEUMS and ARTS CENTERS Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Wed 12-6, Th-Sat 12-8, Sun 12-6 701 Mission Street, SF, 94103 • (415) 978-2728 www.ybca.org/ The Museum of Performance & Design W-Sat12:30-5:30, Th 12:30-7:30
- 13. 893-B Folsom Street, SF 94107 • (415) 255-4800 www.mpdsf.org/ Cantor Visual Arts Center at Stanford University W-Mon 11-5, Th 11-8 328 Lomita Drive, Stanford 94305 • (650) 732-4177 https://museum.stanford.edu Crocker Art Museum T-Sun 10-5, Th 10-9 http://www.crockerartmuseum.org 216 “O” Street, Sacramento 95814 • (916) 808-7000 Exploratorium T-Sun 10-5 (focus on Art in galleries) Pier #15, SF 94111 • (415) 528-4444 www.exploratorium.edu/ Marin Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) W-Fri 11-4 500 Palm Drive, Novato 94949 • (415) 506-0137 https://www.marinmoca.org/ Monterey Museum of Art Th-Mon 11-5 559 Pacific, Monterey 93940 • (831) 372-5477 www.montereyart.org/ The Museum of Art & History at the McPherson Center 705 Front Street, Santa Cruz 95060 T-Sun 11-5 • (831) 429-1964 https://santacruzmah.org San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art T-Fri 10-5, Sat 12-5 560 South First Street, San Jose 95113 • (408) 283-8155 http://sjica.org/ San Jose Museum of Art 110 S Market St, San Jose, CA 95110 (408) 271-6840http://sjmusart.org Triton Museum of Art Tue-Sat 11-5, Th 11-9
- 14. 1505 Warburton Avenue, Santa Clara 95050 (408) 247-2438 www.tritonmuseum.org/ Theater Companion This topic set can be used for Any Type of Play. (Musical Theater - theatrical narrative with song and other musical numbers – has a separate Companion. A. Basic Information: 1. Record the date you attended, where the production took place; describe the environment, audience, atmosphere. 2. Record the name of the company performing, title of the production, length of performance, intermissions. 3. Summarize your impressions of the order of the program (Is it laid out in historical, narrative, thematic manner?). 4. Take notes on the program pamphlet. Mention important elements of the performance and how they worked. Think of Aristotle’s components of a play to help you consider various elements (plot, character, theme, dialogue, spectacle, sound). B. Respond to the performance and answer pertinent Theatrical Specifics:
- 15. 1. Context Background: When was the play written? If dates are not given in the playbill, make an educated guess and explain your reasoning. For what kind of space and audience was this piece originally intended? What leads you to this conclusion? 2. Content of the play: List main characters. BRIEFLY, summarize the story (plot) - one short paragraph, about 1/2 page at the most. Focus on organization, pivotal scenes. 3. What exactly do you see on that stage (spectacle)? Can you detect Designer Choices; Are they true to type? a. The set. Is it realistic? Surrealistic? Abstract? How does this contribute to (or detract from) the overall impact? b. The lighting. How is lighting used to increase the impact? Colors? To what effect? Sounds: How are they used? Effects? c. Costumes. Do they suit the time and locale of the play? Do colors or shapes suggest anything about the characters? d. The plot. How the plot is staged? What visual and other devices -- e.g. dialogue, actions) enabled you to follow the story? What ones did not work for you? Why? e. The actors/characters. How did the actors move + speak? Do they seem like “real” people? What character was most developed? How was this accomplished? Did you prefer this character over the others? f. Visually, describe the overall style and impact of the
- 16. production. 4. Your thoughts on this Interpretation, by the director: Why do you suppose the playwright wrote this play? Why did the director and producer choose to produce the play now? 5. Your expectations. Why did you select this production? What did you expect? 6. Your assessment. How was this event different from other theater productions you have seen in the past? When did the playwright’s choice of character, environment, story, or language create a mood and have meaning for you? Why? Did the visual impact reinforce or weaken the theme of the production? How? What did you take away from the theater? Pleasantly entertained, with or without having to think? A sobering comment on life that did not entertain? A plea for or call to action that overstated its case? Insight into one’s own, or others’ problems? A determination to do something about the problems? 7. Expansion. - Reflecting back, make connections or comparisons to examples and ideas in our studies. - Implications: What cultural values does this performance suggest? How might this production apply to social or life situations today?