The details of your dance

Your Bob Fosse dance:
"Mein Herr" from the film "Cabaret" 1972.  Bob Fosse is a style of Jazz, coined after the choreographer Bob Fosse.

The purpose of your "Mein Herr" dance:

• in this dance you are trying to show a confident, controlled, bold character. 

• your focus is on precise execution including and not limited to: isolations, timing, energy dynamics, directions, eye-line
  
  

What emotions should you project when performing?

• A sense of feeling self-assured, dismissive, seductive, all whilst having a slight nonchalant mask

What is the mood/atmosphere we are trying to evoke through our performance?

• Sense of playfulness as you are 'entertaining' however this is overlapped with a sinister tone  

Your Bob Fosse dance:
'Mein Herr' from the Musical film 'Cabaret'
The film version was directed by Bob Fosse in 1972.

The film itself has a long line of adaptation through the era of literature and film, making it one of the most well-known works. The timeline is as follows:
1939: Goodbye to Berlin a novel by Christopher Isherwood.
1951: Insoured by this, John Van Druten wrote a play called I am a Camera
1966: Inspired by both of these previous works, the Musical 'Cabaret' was written. It was a collaboration between John Kander (music), Fred Ebb (lyrics) and Joe Masteroff (book).
1972: Bob Fosse adapted it for the screen, creating the film with the same title 'Cabaret'

Cabaret is set in 1930's Berlin. The overall sinister tone of the film hints at themes of survival and the changes happening in 1930s Berlin (on the cusp of World War 2)

What is the music about?

This song is the introduction to the Kit Kat club and Sally Bowles. The Kit Kat club is an underground entertainment club and Sally Bowles is performing this song. This song is about her asserting her independence away from a possessive lover. She sings about how she won’t be owned, tamed, or held down. She's seductive yet emotionally detached. She is in control.
The lyrics, costumes, movement and her persona both highlights and challenges the gender roles expected during this time period.

-the upbeat yet sinister toned atmosphere: you are performing in the "Kit Kat club" which is a place of entertainment. However, you are in 1930's Berlin, and the sinister tone is hinting at themes of survival and the changes happening in 1930s Berlin e.g. right before World War 2. 

What is the choreographers intention?
For this dance Bob Fosse focused on:
-total precision (perfect and minute angles, degrees, directions, eyeline and focus)
-minimalist intensity (use of small isolations, small detailed embellishments)
-emotion vs. restraint (tension built through precision, then small moments of release)   

Assessment: 

Part of your assessment is to communicate convincingly the purpose of the dance. This means convey the ideas, mood, feelings and expressiveness of it.

Take time to reflect on the purpose and practice how you are going to interpret this and show it through your performance. 

Features of Bob Fosse Jazz

Features are another word for 'stylistic requirements', which is the term used in the assessment criteria.
The features/stylistic requirements specific to Bob Fosse Jazz, is what you must demonstrate in your performance. They are:

• Precise execution and timing:
  -Minimalism & Precision – Small, sharp, deliberate motions over big sweeping ones. Fosse often used small, sharp movements, emphasising control and precision.
  
  

• Precise Body Awareness through correct Body Shapes, Body Base and Body Parts:
  -Body Rolls & Hip Isolations – Sensual, fluid movements for rhythm and style. Exaggerated hip movements, and slow, sultry isolations contribute to the distinctive 'Bob Fosse' vibe.
  -Shoulder Rolls & Angular Poses – Exaggerated movements for a stylised effect. Sometimes it can almost look unreal/cartoony.
  -Turned-In Knees & Feet – Signature pigeon-toed stance for a quirky look. Usually presented in combination with signature Jazz hands. The Pigeon-toed stance adds a quirky, almost awkward charm.
  
  

• Accurate and effective textures/dynamics of Energy:
  -Jazz Hands – Splayed, vibrating fingers to add energy and attitude. It's about creating energy and attitude with every fingertip.
  -Isolations – Sharp, controlled movements of wrists, shoulders, hips, and even eyebrows. This creates a choppy, mechanical quality that contrasts with fluid transitions.
  
  

• Detailed Timing:
  -Stillness & Pauses – Strategic use of silence to build tension and impact. It draws the audience in, creating anticipation.
  -Isolations - The isolations should contrast with any flowing, larger movements. These includes locomotion and use of general space.
  
  

• Projection: Bob Fosse often encourages a persona of character.
  -It is usually theatrical & humour driven. Often a Vaudevillian charm with a dark, cynical edge.
  -Subtle Sexuality. Suggestive yet refined movement, often playful; never obvious, but suggestive through the sly movements and postures.

• Precision in execution of Relationships:
  -Props & Hat Tricks – Hats, canes, and chairs used as extensions of movement. The props aren't just accessories—they become extensions of the body and tools for storytelling.
  -correct and engaging focus. Helps draw attention and engage audience.
  -fluid transitions
  -correct shapes and use of general/personal space in formations.
  
  

• Stamina

Task: examples to watch and analyse

Below are four videos of famous Bob Fosse choreographies and performances.

1) Watch them all!
2) The teacher will allocate you one for the following instructions.
3) Choose four of the 'features' of the style, and find a moment this is extremely evident in your chosen video.
4) Write down the timestamps of these moments.
5) Answer the following questions and prepare to share these in front of the class:
-how do you see this feature being used? What is happening on stage? Use your Dance terminology.
-was this moment effective? Why/why not?

Video 1: "There'll be some changes made" from All tha Jazz 1979 

Video 2: "Whatever Lola wants" from Damn Yankees 1958

Video 3:  "Hey big spender" from Sweet Charity 1969

Video 4:  Bob Fosse duet with  Tommy Ral from My Sister Eileen 1955 

Extension task 1

It really is important to know about the style you are performing- who are the pioneers, why was it created, what was it's progression? In your own time, work through the following tasks to learn more about Bob Fosse Jazz.

Task 1: Click here to watch a documentary on Bob Fosse.

Task 2: Who was Bob Fosse?

• Bob Fosse was an American dancer, choreographer, and director who revolutionised musical theatre and film with his distinctive style. 

• He was born in Chicago and performed as a child in Vaudeville. Don't know what Vaudeville is? Click here to learn in 3 minutes.

• Fosse then served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After the war, he moved to New York City and transitioned from performer to choreographer, making a significant impact on Broadway. Some say, the greatest impact.
  
  

• His groundbreaking work earned him numerous awards, including nine Tony Awards for choreography and direction, an Academy Award for Best Director for "Cabaret" (1972), and three Primetime Emmy Awards. 

• He choreographed and directed some of the most successful stage productions like "The Pajama Game" (1954), "Damn Yankees" (1955), "Sweet Charity" (1966), "Pippin" (1972), and "Chicago" (1975). 

Task 3: Why did he create his own unique style of Jazz?

• Bob Fosse developed his own distinctive style of jazz dance as a response to both his personal experiences and the limitations he faced as a performer. 

• Personal experiences: growing up in Chicago, he was exposed to Burlesque and Vaudeville, which influenced his sensual and stylised approach to movement. 

• Physical limitations: a slight hunched posture and balding. This led him to emphasise angular shapes, turned-in knees, and the use of hats and gloves to direct attention.
  
  

• He also mentions how the work of Fred Astaire and Jack Cole influenced him. He aimed to combine their elegance with a more grounded, isolated, and precise technique. 

• His unique aesthetic, marked by sensuality, isolation, and meticulous detail, became a signature in musical theatre and film, setting his work apart and making it instantly recognisable! That's Fosse!
  
  
  

Want to know more about the "Greats" who influenced the great Fosse? 

• Jack Cole is known as the GodFather of Theatrical Jazz.
  Click here to wrap your head around why he is known as the God Father of Theatrical Jazz. 

• Click here to watch the top 10 choreography and performances of Fred Astaire.

Extension task 2

This is an optional task for those who are interested in learning more about Bob Fosse.

Task 1: Choose one of the research projects to complete below. You are more than welcome to complete multiple!

Submit your work on google classroom for review from the teacher.

Remember, this extra research will inform your practice and respect for our Fosse dance.

 Any questions or concerns? Please contact your teacher:
Miss Samuel: jsamuel@ormiston.school.nz