News Release

Abstract dance moves young children

Peer-Reviewed Publication

Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research

Abstract dance performances have been found to enthral children. Furthermore, ten-year-olds used their imagination to interpret abstract dance. These are some of the conclusions made by Dutch PhD student Liesbeth Wildschut from Utrecht University.

A dance performance can tell a story such as Tchaikovsky's well-known Swan Lake. However, in abstract dance the choreographer does not use a story as a basis, but just the dancers' consecutive movements and interaction. Wildschut investigated how children experienced narrative and abstract dance performances.

The researcher invited 392 ten and fourteen-year-old pupils to attend the narrative performance Opblaashelden [Inflatable heroes] by Arthur Rosenfeld or the abstract performance In the Future by Hans van Manen. The pupils were not prepared for the content of the performances in advance. Immediately after the performance the children completed a questionnaire to ascertain what went on in their heads and bodies during the performance.

For example, Wildschut wanted to know the extent to which children gave meaning to what they saw and heard. Was this easier in a narrative dance performance than in an abstract dance performance? The teenagers interpreted the narrative dance Opblaashelden more often than the abstract dance. However, surprisingly, the young children interpreted both performances to the same degree. Therefore, dances programmed for younger children do not necessarily have to be narrative or 'comprehensible'. Children have the ability and probably the need to interpret abstract dance.

The extent to which both groups of children identified themselves with the characters in the fictitious world was found to be limited. They identified themselves more strongly with the real world of the dancer. As expected this happened most often in children who danced themselves.

Finally, the researcher examined the physical responses of the children. Did the children inwardly move with the dancers or did the children visibly move with the dancers? Wildschut found little evidence for either. However, experience of dancing and age both seemed to play a role here: children must have enough awareness of their bodies to be able to report their experiences.

The results of this study should not be viewed as guidelines for making dance performances for children. However, this study calls into question the need to prepare children about the content of dance performances.

###

For further information please contact Liesbeth Wildschut (Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies, Utrecht University), tel. 31-30-253-6527 or 31-30-294-0448 (home), e-mail: liesbeth.wildschut@let.uu.nl. The doctoral thesis will be defended on 16 May 2003. Ms Wildschut's supervisor is Prof. H. Schoenmakers.

The research was funded by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research.


Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.