BLM1 Student Resource

SOCIAL DANCE VS. THEATRICAL DANCE SOCIAL DANCE: • Sociability and socializing are the primary goals • Can be danced with a variety of partners or groups • Emphasizes a relaxed, fun, friendly atmosphere • Can be performed without an audience in a ballroom, gymnasium, etc. • Sometimes choreographed but usually improvised • Often brings to mind partner dances such as ballroom dance but also includes group circle dances, line dancing or club dancing in solo • Some dance forms that originated as social dances have also evolved into competitive or theatrical styles of dance such as ballroom or varieties of Celtic dance

List examples of social dance you have witnessed or in which you have participated:

THEATRICAL DANCE: • Any form of dance that is performed primarily for an audience • Often performed in a theatre or other public venue Usually choreographed to set music and often have elaborate costumes, props, lighting, setting and scenery • Some examples of theatrical dance performed in Canada are: ballet, modern, contemporary, Brazilian Samba, Chinese dance, Belly dance, jazz, tap or Musical Theatre

List examples of theatrical dance you have witnessed or in which you have participated:

ADDITIONAL NOTES: • Some ceremonial dances, court dances or baroque dances are dances that blend social and theatrical dance; participants assume the roles of performer or audience member at different times • Some religious or ritualistic dances should not be performed outside the context of the ceremony or ritual unless that is acceptable within the religion or community from which the dance originated.