Dance

Abstract

The study of dance can be summed up as the four Ps: patterning, partnering, pacing, and person. Patterning is about the intra- and interpersonal processes used in creating complex movement patterns in space and time. Partnering in dance involves the coordinated movement of multiple dancers, generally in defined spatial configurations, sometimes occurring through direct body contact. Next, pacing in dance refers to the synchronization of movement patterns with both musical beats and interaction partners. Finally, the person aspect of dance deals with how dancers are able to engage in acting by portraying characters in narrative forms of dance and to tell stories with their bodies in a wordless manner using iconic and affective gestures.