1/14/2026 - Week 1 / Meeting 2: Names

 

 

Unit: Creative Dance

Theme: Names

 

I

Introduction 

 Names have meaning. In modern times most people are not aware of their name's meaning. However, names are a very personal source of inspiration to create dance. Today's class uses the students' names to generate stories. Each story is told in expressive movement as students move deeper into the significance of the name given to them at birth, during their life time, as a result of a quest.

 

 II

Learning Objectives

  • Understand the meaning of names
  • Explain the usefulness of finding the story in the name
  • Gain awareness of the potential names have as a source
  • Experience the connection between your own name dance
  • Reflect on the work done in class.

 

 III

Main Lesson

 

1

Warm Up 

2

 Name Dance
 

3

 

Review directions, levels and space

 

3

Ideas

Alphabet Dance. https://fb.watch/pDxSC0oEBX/


4

Read Introduction (Page x)

The Movement of Movement
 https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Moment_Of_Movement/kckFbAFDE70C?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Dance+Improvisation&printsec=frontcover
 

III

Discussion

 

  1. Be aware of the letters in your name. What moves can you generate to embody the letters in your name?
  2. What is the meaning of your name? Express it in movement.
  3. Think about the circumstances in which your name was chosen by your parents. Turn it into a story. Dance it!
  4. Is your name related to any important figure in history, religion, or politics? Express this relation in movement.


 

IV

A Note to Remember

  Dance improvisation fuses creation with execution. The dance simultaneously originates and performs movement without pre-planning. It is a way of tapping the stream of the subconscious without intellectual censorship, allowing spontaneous and spontaneous exploring. (3)


V

Case Study 

 

Video


VI

 Activity

 

Solo Work


What is the story of your name?

Discover it

Write it...

Say it...

Dance it....

Find music for it

Re-Dance it

Record it


 VII

 Journaling 
 
Reflect on the experience

Post it!
 
 
VIII
 
Glossary
 
Free association: a therapeutic method used to investigate the psyche, is a significant feature of psychoanalysis. The client is asked to express whatever is on their mind including memories, words, images, and daydreams, however random.(4)
 

 
IX
 
Sources

1. Creative Movement: The Name Dance. https://thedancebuzz.com/2012/07/14/creative-movement-the-name-dance/
 
2. Dance Tour Name.https://stagelightarts.com/3-17-20-dance-your-name/

3. Blom, L.A. and Tarin Chaplin, L. (1988). The Moment of Movement. University of Pittsburgh Press. https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Moment_Of_Movement/kckFbAFDE70C?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Dance+Improvisation&printsec=frontcover

4. Washington, N. (2021). All About Free Association Therapy. https://psychcentral.com/health/free-association-therapy

X
 
Students' Work 

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