Music as Inspiration

Music plays an important role in Paul Taylor’s creative process. He said that the choreography for "Company B" was inspired by the words of songs.

The students can listen to the Andrews Sisters’ recording of Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy and read the lyrics at the same time by clicking here. The students can watch the Andrews Sisters perform "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" on YouTube.

Jitterbug, Waltz and Polka

View the following Youtube videos with your students. There are examples of three styles of popular dances from the 1940s that Paul Taylor incorporated into his dance "Company B."

Jitterbug
"Groovie Movie" by Metro Goldwyn Mayer, 1944. Funny jitterbug instructional video that gives instructions for learning the steps of the jitterbug.

Waltz
Learn to Waltz. This video gives a brief history about the waltz, shows a couple performing a waltz and gives instructions for learning the steps.

Polka
Clarinet Polka. Two members of a dance group perform a classic American-style polka to the most famous polka, The Clarinet Polka. Click here for a video that gives instructions for learning the basic steps of the polka.

Modern Dance Discussion

After reviewing the Family Tree of Dance and reading the brief history discuss the following:

Modern dance has been recognized as a serious art form since the early part of the 20th century. Why do you think a dance form over 100 years old would be called “modern”?

Paul Taylor had established his career as a choreographer and performer by the 1960’s. His works (along with many other modern dance choreographers during that period) were considered controversial.

• How did the modern dance of the 1960’s reflect the American culture of that period?
• What significant changes in American culture were taking place during that period?
• What ideas were considered modern during that time?
• How did the ideas and events of the 1960’s influence Mr. Taylor’s work as a dance artist?
• Why did some people consider Paul Taylor’s work controversial?
• How does today’s dance (and music) reflect our culture and other cultures from around the world?

PE Lession Extension: Cooperative Group Work and Collaboration:

Pilobolus Dance Theatre is a non-traditional company of dancer-athletes that choreograph using a weight sharing approach. The company is known for the innovative group shapes they create and perform in silhouette. Pilobolus performed in the 2008 Academy Awards show and can be seen on several television commercials.

View PILOBOLUS pt 4 -behind the scenes to learn more about the company’s creative process. It is advised that teachers view this before they show their students to determine if they think it will be appropriate for the age level they teach.

Pilobolus (on the Oprah Winfrey show) performing the queen, flags of our fathers, superman and play on words.

TV car commercial.

Working in groups with five (or more), let the students explore creating silhouettes of images from WWII (websites listed below). Encourage the students to analyze and sketch the outlines of the images they are creating.

Remind your students that:

• Lifts are not required to create their group shape. They should be thinking about how they can use the space over, under or next to each other as they are working.
• Cooperation is the key to creating a successful group shape.
• Working collaboratively means that each member should be contributing their ideas to the group.
• Simple props may be used (by permission of the teacher)

Flag raising on Iwo Jima (February 23, 1945)
Image of a WWII Aircraft
Image of a WWII battleship

Discussion Questions:

• Was it difficult to work together to create the group silhouette?
• Let each group talk about their creative process. Did the groups all work in the same way or were different approaches used?
• What skills (physical, interpersonal, artistic) were necessary for the students to use to create their group shape? balance, flexibility, strength, trust, cooperation, collaboration, creativity?