Starter questions/ideas for class or group discussion

• Discuss the possible purposes of the different dances shown on the chart. For example, are they for ritual, social, or artistic purposes? What do you think is the intention of each dance?
• Which photos show traditional dance and which ones show contemporary dance? Classify the specific style of dance if you can.
• How would you describe the movements shown in the photos?
• What kinds of movements/dance styles do you prefer? Why?
• What do you think are important performance qualities for dancers? (For example, such qualities could include focus, concentration, posture/stage manner, and projection.) Why?
• Look at the use of focus in each of the dance groupings shown. Where is the focus directed and for what purpose?
• What do the costumes tell you about where the dance comes from? For example, what do the costumes reveal about climate, environment, beliefs, and customs? How does the costume help to portray a style, feeling, or emotion?
• Dance is performed to a range of audiences. Who do you think the intended audience might be for each of the dances shown on the chart?
• Look at the production design elements in each photo. How does use of lighting, costume, and makeup enhance the performance of the dance work? For example, what do the masks add to the 'Where the Wild Things Are' dance work?
• What type of sound or music might accompany these dances? Why? How might the energy/mood of the dance change with different music?
• Dance is a way of telling our stories. We each interpret what we see in different ways. What stories are being told in the dances pictured on the chart?
• What do you know about New Zealand choreographers and dancers? How can we find out more?