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How to watch dance

Welcome to watch dance!

JoJo’s repertoire includes both in-house productions and guest performances.

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General information

How to watch a dance performance

Watching a dance performance is observing an artistic creation in the moment. It is an interpretative experience that can challenge the viewer to use their imagination and creativity. Like experiencing other forms of art, dance can evoke images or just stop at a single moment or movement.

Behind a dance performance is the choreographer’s artistic vision of an issue or subject that has been examined through movement. The piece may reference history, other works of art, or even the whole cultural field. However, the viewer’s interpretation of a performance is never wrong or invalid, even if the creators’ viewpoint goes unnoticed. Each experience is correct.

The instrument used in dance is the human body we all have. It conveys emotions by communicating through bones, muscles, skin and cells. Dance often examines people and the movement of the human body extensively.

Dancing involves all kinds of man-made movements – not just twirls, jumps, leg lifts or vaults. Even a very simple movement – or immobility – can underline the possibilities of movement of the human body on stage. A dance performance may be influenced by many different disciplines of dance or various visual art forms, and may not always be performed in traditional theatre spaces. Dance can take place in any space relevant to the work, authors or audience; streets, galleries, or means of transport.

Tips for watching dance

  • Come as you are. You don’t have to dress a certain way when you come to watch a dance performance.

     

  • Looking at art often evokes emotions, and you have permission to react to the work. Remember to be considerate toward the rest of the audience and the artists.

     

  • Think about whether you want to know more about the performance in advance, or whether you want an art experience that is not guided by pre-given information. If you decide to familiarize yourself with some background materials, you may get context and an understanding of what aspects you might want to highlight while watching; If you do not, you may again find different meanings and different elements in the work.

     

  •  Let go of your expectations, sit back and relax. The best thing about being an audience member is that you only have to buy your tickets, arrive on time and watch. You can prepare yourself for the fact that what you´re about to watch is probably something you haven´t seen before or expected.

     

  • Look at the dancers’ legs, hands, wrists and neck. By paying attention to the different body parts of the performers, you will notice the versatility and skill of the dancers; the ability to express with the body.

     

  • Look at how dancers express themselves. Observe the energy conveyed by the dancers and how it affects the work as a whole.

     

  • Look at the costumes and set design and think about why they were chosen.

     

  • Pay attention to lightning design. How do you feel about the changes? Does the lighting create certain atmosphere? How is the lighting created in relation to movement, music and the performers?

     

  • Listen to the music and sounds around you. How do they affect you? Not all dance works necessarily include music in them. The soundscape of a work may be created by the performers themselves, or the sound material may consist of various sounds assembled and coordinated by the sound designer.

     

  • You can reflect and speculate on the choreographer’s starting points for creating the work. You can also focus on your own interpretation of the performance. Remember that each viewer reacts to the performance in their own way.

     

  • You may notice certain patterns or repetition of certain movement or sections. It may be that the choreographer wants to use that phrase or movement to say something. On the other hand, there may not be a particular reason, but it’s great that you noticed.

     

  • How do you feel about watching the work? Are you sad? Happy? Angry? Do you feel uncomfortable? Are you nervous or confused? You can try to think about why you feel in some way and what caused the feeling. You can also just accept the emotions and keep watching.

     

  • Some performances have a clear ending, but some may end unexpectedly. If you don’t notice when a performance ends, wait for a while and sit still. It is customary to thank the working group with applause at the end. You can leave your seat when the house light comes on.

     

  • Discuss the work after the performance. Share your viewing experience and be curious about others’ views as well. If you did not familiarize yourself with information of the work beforehand, it may be interesting to read them afterwards and consider how your own view differs from that of the choreographer.

     

  • The artistic teams are happy to hear feedback on their performance! At JoJo’s shows, you can submit greetings or feedback at the venue, or online via this link.

Sources:
www.zodiak.fi/fi/vinkkeja-katsomiseen
https://maddoxdance.com/blog/7-tips-on-how-to-watch-contemporary-dancenbsp