An approach to the teaching of dance: an application of Rudolf Laban’s principles of human movement to the generating principles of classical ballet / Rosemary Brandt (1987)

This study proposes a methodology for the teaching of classical ballet through an examination of the grounds which justify such a proposal and the consideration of its implications for classical ballet training and performance.

The central concern is the synthesis of the parallel polarities of technique and expression and training and education.

Chapter I provides an overview and rationale for the proposal by contextualizing these parallel polarities through an examination of the opposing characteristics of classical ballet and the developing modern dance. Through the formulation of the concept of skill as the integration of technique and expression, Chapter II examines the difficulties in locating expression in classical ballet training. The implications of this formulation are dealt with in Chapter III through the consideration of educational responsibilities within classical ballet training and the clarification of the ways of knowing required for its practice. Chapter IV shows how, through the practical application of Rudolf Laban’ s principles of human movement the choreological content of the classical ballet vocabulary and technique is revealed.

A lecture-demonstration (Appendix 1) supports the practical emphasis of this study, the intention of which is not to present a theoretical analysis of Laban’ s principles and those of classical ballet, but rather to demonstrate their practical applicability in the classroom. It supports the consideration of the correlation of principles as an approach to the teaching and learning of classical ballet.