"Environ"

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Elizabeth Lyon Richardson (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
Advisor
Lois Andreasen

Abstract: The motivation for the dance entitled "Environ" came from the choreographer's desire to show the physical and emotional reactions of human beings to a natural disaster, a tornado. The choreographer chose a tornado because of its capacity to destroy the environment as well as the physical and mental strength of its victims. The dance consists of four sections in the sonata form which show the effects of the changing environment upon the people. The dance opens with a solo which depicts a farm worker as he exhibits strong movements suggesting an inner strength. The movements reflect the joy and vitality which the worker feels at sunrise. Section II of the dance includes two movement themes which are abstractions of actual work gestures. This section is performed in a faster tempo than the solo section and includes more vigorous and expansive movements. The mood is one of happiness demonstrated by great energy. The movements for Section III are motivated by characteristics of the chaos and confusion produced by a tornado gradually moving into the farm. For the most part, the movements in Section III are quick and often appear frenzied, as the dancers gradually become helpless objects being manipulated by the force of the tornado. The aim of the choreographer, in Section III, was to show not only the effects of the tornado on the movements of the dancers, but also the effects of the disaster on the emotions of the workers - their fear, their confusion, and their grief.

Additional Information

Publication
Thesis
Language: English
Date: 1975

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