Dance Curriculum Toolkit

Title of Resource: Revelations

 

Target Audience: Educators

 

Description of Resource: This video is of Alvin Ailey's most well known piece of choreography, Revelations.  Revelations is such an amazing piece of choreography because it encompasses African-American culture, Racism, Slavery, and African-American Spirituality all in one.  Alvin Ailey describes Revelations as, "This suite explores motivations and emotions of African American religious music which, like its heir to the Blues, takes many forms- "true spirituals" with their sustained melodies, ring should, song sermons, gospel songs, and holy blues- songs of trouble, love and deliverance," Alvin Ailey wrote for the premiere of Revelations on January 31, 1960, at the Kaufmann Concert Hall, 92nd Street YMYWHA (AileyDanceKids revelations: An interdisciplinary approach, Pg 5)  The sections in Revelations include: Pilgrims of Sorrow, Take Me To The Water, and Move Members Move.

 

Appropriateness for High School Students:  I think that this is appropriate for high school students because it deals with "heavy" material that younger students are most likely not mature enough or ready to experience.  The level of intellect and maturity required to embrace this piece of choreography is intense but absolutely attainable for high school students.  High school students are already familiar with slavery, segregation, racism in the USA, however, some new elements such as spirituality and "spirituals" enhance the overall lesson for students.  As student grow up and mature, they become more aware of their abilities and bodies in positive and negative ways.  Ailey's dancers all come from different backgrounds yet they found a common ground in his technique and choreographic style.  I think it is important for high school students to understand that just because you might come from a different background than someone else, that doesn't mean that one is better than other but rather finding that common ground as well as learning from each other only makes both individuals stronger and more diverse.

 

Use of Resource in Classroom/Ways to Implement this Resource in my Classroom:  Revelations has such a profound effect on people and everyone responds differently to me, which is one the main reasons that I am so fascinated with dance as an art form.  The way that it can transport individuals to different places in their minds while watching the same thing, is what makes dance special.  I would implement Revelations into my curriculum and classroom for a variety of reasons.  It will depend on the classroom dynamic but I think that honing in on the performance qualities of Ailey's dancers is very important.  I also think that identifying Ailey's ability to choreograph a piece that all audiences can connect to is also another aspect that students should explore.  The idea of "What was that thing that caught the audience and drew them in and kept them engaged throughout the entire piece".  In addition, the historical significance behind the choreography, the cultural dynamics throughout the piece, as well as the ideas of spirituality within the African-American Culture are all relevant enriching topics that students would be able to engage with and enjoy exploring.  I would also enjoy the opportunity to explore Alvin Ailey's technique style with students as it is very different from other choreographers adding to his uniqueness as a choreographer and educator.  Students would explore the technique and be able to experience the sensations and feelings within their bodies that is different than anything they would have likely experienced previously.  

 

Strengths of Resource as a Teaching Tool (Purpose, Value, Uniqueness, Positive Aspects):  The purpose of this lesson would be to expose students to another style of modern dance as well as exposing them to choreography that has a political message and a cultural significance behind it.  Another strength of exposing students to this choreographic work is that part of what makes Alvin Ailey's dancers so incredible, is that the original dancers were not necessarily trained technical dancers.  His favorite dancer, Judith Jamison, was not a technically trained dancer.  Her quality of movement was so profound that Alvin Ailey wasn't concerned with her technique because he just loved to watch her move.  "Quality of Movement" is often times a difficult concept for students to understand because they are the ones dancing not watching so there is a disconnect between what's happening internally and externally within the dancer.  Through this lesson students will discuss and identify what aspects of the choreography were engaging and why.  This lesson is unique because it is interdisciplinary but it's also a very diverse lesson in regards to religion, culture, heritage, racism, and American history that I think students will really gain from.

 

Possible Modifications to Resource (Weaknesses, Limitations, Supplemental Resources):  I think the biggest limitation with implementing this into the curriculum is that there is just not enough time to cover all of the relevant important concepts, ideas, teachings, and information that this choreographic piece covers.  It will really be up to me at the teacher, to solidify exactly what aspect I am going to focus of for the lesson and/or unit in order to be successful with this resource.  Finding the central focus will be key and I may not know what that is until students watch the video and discuss what their experience with what they saw was, that I can decide where I am going to go with the lesson.  This means that I will have to plan multiple lessons in order to properly prepare for students and adapt my plan in accordance with what the students found most engaging.  

 

Resource Citation:

Isaac, K. (1999). AileyDanceKids revelations: An interdisciplinary approach. Retrieved from http://www.spahouston.org/docs/education/revelations-an-interdisciplinary-approach-study-guide.pdf%3Fsfvrsn%3D0

 

Music Center. (2013). Alvin ailey revelations. Retrieved from http://www.musiccenter.org/education/Teacher-Resources/Artsource-Curriculum/Available-ArtSource-Units/Alvin-Ailey/