By NAOMI FAIK SIMET
The learning of dance in schools and tertiary institutions contributes to the mental, physical and spiritual state of a person.
Dance is theatrical in that the performance is executed to present different versions of real life situations through the setting, posture, gesture, movements, and expression of individuals.
Human expression is an important aspect of a dance performance that is communicative.
A dance performance is successful when it communicates well to its audience. The relationship between the performer and audience is established when the audience reacts to a particular performance.
In this way, the performer achieves his or her aim in conveying a certain message to the audience. Apart from dance, there are other elements of theatrical performances such as drama, play, music, speech and ritual that are classified as performance and which are also communicative. Dramas may be categorised as comedy, serious or tragedy.
They follow a particular story line with a beginning, middle/peak and ending. The articulation and projection of speech and human expression are three important parts to a rewarding drama performance, while human movement and expression are two important aspects of a satisfactory dance performance.
Nowadays, there is an increase in dance and drama performances by community theatre groups. Many of these theatre groups aim to carry out awareness programmes using dance and drama performances to educate and make the public aware of educational, health, social and political issues affecting the country.
By doing this, more and more people have grown to accept the value of such performances as powerful and effective media in communicating messages to the public. There are also other educational institutions that encourage their students to learn and participate in theatrical activities which involve the performance of dance and drama.
One such institution is the Red Cross Special Education Resource Centre located in Hohola. This school caters for children with disabilities, particularly those who are hearing and speech impaired. One of the aims of the school is to develop the skills and talents of these children so that they can contribute them to their respective communities.
The introduction of dance, music and drama as part of an art therapy course helped these children who were keen to learn these performances.
This arrangement was formally launched on September 15 at Port Moresby Grammar School.
During the launch, students of the RCSERC performed a joint theatre production with the "High Speed Outreach Theatre". To engage students with disabilities in theatre productions, one has to be patient, committed and dedicated. According to Agnes Aimo, founder of the HSOT and their choreographer, the teaching of dance helps stimulate creativity in the minds of the disabled and eventually restores normalcy to their physical being.
Although dance and drama are seldom considered as important as core subjects in education, they encapsulate the physical, spiritual and mental state of a person and are crucial to human development.
Producing a good quality performance, whether it is a dance or drama production, is a result of the performer, choreographer or director's efforts during scheduled rehearsals.
The study of dance and drama is a disciplined profession that teaches hard work and commitment. The end result is a successful production that communicates well with the audience. Quality teaching in dance and drama must be encouraged in Papua New Guinea to maintain the standard of that profession.
Tertiary institutions and schools concerned with the teaching of dance and drama performances must instil professionalism in all aspects of the subject, so that it can continue to be an influential medium in communicating with the individual as well as groups.

The writer is a dance researcher with the Institute of PNG Studies.

 

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