Choreography
with
Mark Morris Dance Group

The theme for this week is: Choreography

In this video, Mark Morris Dance Group, a modern dance company, performs a piece of choreography called Doubles from “Mozart Dances.”

Step 1:
I will watch this video

As I watch, I will notice the choreography. Choreography is a sequence of steps and movements in dance.

Five identical cartoon emojis of yellow figures standing on one leg, arms shoulder height with one bent upwards at the elbow

As I watch, these are some keywords I should know...

Cartoon of ballet studio, teacher leads 3 young students in extending one leg forward, arm outstretched while holding the barre

Choreographer

A person who creates dance compositions, arranges dance movements and patterns for dances.

Mark Morris

A famous dancer and choreographer who started his own dance group and opened a school for dancers.

Three dancers onstage holding hands in a circle, each with the same pose: head back, arms shoulder height, one leg lifted back

Modern Dance

A type of theatrical dance, very different from classical ballet.

Step 2:
What did I notice?

1. What did I notice about the dancers?

Two dancers on stage, each extend one leg back, one arm stretches up the other reaches back toward the extended leg.

What are the dancers wearing?
What do I notice about their facial expressions?
What shapes do I notice they are repeating with their bodies?

I can draw a favorite repeated shape I notice the dancers making...

Photo of three dancers curving their bodies, compared with three black curved lines

Two dancers reaching upwards, holding their bodies in a straight line, compared with two black straight lines

Three dancers holding their arms outwards at hip level, compared two three black triangles

2. What did I notice about the piano music?

Close up of hands on piano keys, with red sleeves and wearing a gold wedding ring

What happened with the piano played fast?
What happened when the piano played slow?

I can write, draw, or talk about: The piano music makes me want to...

Five emojis performing a variety of actions: Sports, Swimming, Horseback Riding, Skiing, Bike Riding

3. What did I notice about the stage?

What shapes did I see in the background?
If I could add color to the background, what color would I add?

Four blocks of color: blue, red, green, yellow

4. What did I notice about myself?

How does that music and choreography make me feel?

Six emoji faces with varying emotions: Happy, Sad, Loving, Sleepy, Silly, Surprised

Step 3: Choreography and Rehearsal

In Double, choreographer Mark Morris uses strong shapes and movements that he repeats throughout the dance.

Let’s create our own choreography inspired by favorite repeated shapes from Double.

First

I will create one movement that uses the arms or hands.

Dancer on stage stretches one arm overhead, one arm down touching knee, body curved and legs crossed one in front of the other

Emoji hand raising index and middle finger in the "#2" gesture

Then

I will create one movement that uses the legs or feet.

Five dancers on stage, stand on one foot the other extended above the waist, feet pointed, arms lifted at the waist.

I will create one movement that uses the whole body.

Seven dancers onstage with one leg bent at the knee, curving their bodies with one arm at waist and one extended overhead

Last

I will put all three movements together to create my own sequence of choreography.

Practice:

Now that I’ve created a sequence of choreography, it’s time to practice.

I can be the dancer (trying the moves myself) or the choreographer (directing the dancer, or dancers, on what to do).

As we practice my choreography, we will:

Try the sequence fast and then slow to explore tempo (speed)
Try the sequence high and then low to explore levels
Try the sequence standing in place and moving around the room to explore my body in space

Emoji of a person with arms extended to each side above shoulders

Emoji of a person with arms raised above head

Step 4: Performance

Now that I’ve created and practiced my choreography, it’s time to perform!

First

I will set the stage. I can pick my spot and decide what I want in the background. I can put on a costume.

Five dancers on stage arms outstretched, appearing small against a large backdrop of gold with splashes of darker gold paint

Then

Then, I will choose my music. I can use the same music as Mark Morris, Sonata in D major for Two Pianos, K. 448.

Or I can choose my own music.

Close up of hands on piano keys, with red sleeves and wearing a gold wedding band

I will invite my audience. My audience can be my friends, family, pets, or any of my favorite things.

Cartoon emojis of people in all shapes sizes and colors. A cat and dog are included.

Last

It's showtime! I can be a dancer and perform my own choreography OR I can have my friends, family, or toys perform.

If I want to record my performance and share it with Lincoln Center, I can send it to access@lincolncenter.org.

Explore More

Extension Questions:

If I could design new costumes for the dancers in “Doubles” what would they look like?

What colors or patterns would I use?
What fabric would I use?
What design would I make?

Additional Links:

I can learn more about the Mark Morris Dance Group here. On this website, I can take online classes or watch videos from past performances.
I can learn more about Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart here.
To learn more about Lincoln Center Passport programs, click here.

Tell us what you think! Email us at access@lincolncenter.org to share your thoughts on the activities and website. Post photos of your story or art projects using the hashtag #LincolnCenterAtHome.

Click below for a printable copy of these activities

Mark Morris _ Passport

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Choreography withMark Morris Dance Group

The theme for this week is: Choreography

In this video, Mark Morris Dance Group, a modern dance company, performs a piece of choreography called Doubles from “Mozart Dances.”

Step 1:I will watch this video

As I watch, I will notice the choreography. Choreography is a sequence of steps and movements in dance.

As I watch, these are some keywords I should know...

Choreographer

Mark Morris

Modern Dance

Step 2: What did I notice?

1. What did I notice about the dancers?

What are the dancers wearing?

What do I notice about their facial expressions?

What shapes do I notice they are repeating with their bodies?

I can draw a favorite repeated shape I notice the dancers making...

2. What did I notice about the piano music?

What happened with the piano played fast?

What happened when the piano played slow?

I can write, draw, or talk about: The piano music makes me want to...

3. What did I notice about the stage?

What shapes did I see in the background?

If I could add color to the background, what color would I add?

4. What did I notice about myself?

How does that music and choreography make me feel?

Step 3: Choreography and Rehearsal

In Double, choreographer Mark Morris uses strong shapes and movements that he repeats throughout the dance.

Let’s create our own choreography inspired by favorite repeated shapes from Double.

First

I will create one movement that uses the arms or hands.

Then

I will create one movement that uses the legs or feet.

Next

I will create one movement that uses the whole body.

Last

I will put all three movements together to create my own sequence of choreography.

Practice:

Now that I’ve created a sequence of choreography, it’s time to practice.

I can be the dancer (trying the moves myself) or the choreographer (directing the dancer, or dancers, on what to do).

As we practice my choreography, we will:

Try the sequence fast and then slow to explore tempo (speed)

Try the sequence high and then low to explore levels

Try the sequence standing in place and moving around the room to explore my body in space

Step 4: Performance

Now that I’ve created and practiced my choreography, it’s time to perform!

First

I will set the stage. I can pick my spot and decide what I want in the background. I can put on a costume.

Then

Then, I will choose my music. I can use the same music as Mark Morris, Sonata in D major for Two Pianos, K. 448.

Or I can choose my own music.

Next

I will invite my audience. My audience can be my friends, family, pets, or any of my favorite things.

Last

It's showtime! I can be a dancer and perform my own choreography OR I can have my friends, family, or toys perform.

If I want to record my performance and share it with Lincoln Center, I can send it to access@lincolncenter.org.

Explore More

Extension Questions:

Additional Links:

Share:

Click below for a printable copy of these activities

Choreography
with
Mark Morris Dance Group

Step 1:
I will watch this video

Step 2:
What did I notice?