DANC 40383

Jessica Zeller
Critical Reading Response Form A
Name ___Nicole Browne______________________________________
Date _____1/18/2015_____________________________________
Title of reading or chapter _________The Invasion of the Air: The Romantic Era________
This Reading Response form has two main purposes: 1) to help students engage deeply with
readings and synthesize information for future use; and 2) to restrict the writing process such that
students must consider elements of grammar, syntax, spelling, and organization. Grading for this
assignment is therefore based on both writing and content.
1. In a short paragraph of 3-5 sentences, summarize your reasons for selecting this particular text.
(10 points)
I chose this reading because it spoke about the beginning of many ballets that are still popular
today. It also talked about the beginning of ballone, which is weird to think that it was
something that was developed over time and didnt happen from the beginning of ballet. I was
interested in reading about the start of many things that are pertinent to our current dance world.

2. Discuss this readings main ideas in six sentences. For a-c, use the prompt word at the
beginning of the sentence. For d-f, use the prompt word after a comma. Rather than writing all
six sentences as discrete units, you may wish to write a paragraph using all of these prompts in
any order you choose. (5 points each)
a. In
In the 1820s, we see the fundamentals of ballet such as 180 degree turnout and a codified
technique class begin to develop.
b. Because
Because of Puritan morals in America prior to the War of Independence, the public saw
playhouses as schools of seduction which inhibited the spread of ballet to the states until the
1800s.
c. Despite
Despite the changing tastes of audiences of the late 1800s, the Paris Opra continued performing
ballets based off of old Greek myths under the direction of Pierre Gardel.
d. , or
The romantic period is well represented by Marie Taglioni in La Syphide, or Carlotta Grisi in
Giselle.

e. , and

DANC 40383
Jessica Zeller
Critical Reading Response Form A
The custom of lowering the curtain between acts of a ballet or play began, and the lowering of
the lights during acts became another tradition that we see today.
3. In exactly 127 words, describe a connection between the content of this reading and one of the
following: 1) a phenomenon, person, or concept you discussed in Dance History I; 2) a
phenomenon, person, or concept we have already discussed in this course; or 3) a phenomenon,
person, or concept from your other coursework in the SCCDance. (20 points)
In the Dance Production course we learned about the evolution of stage lighting, scenery, and
overall production. In this reading, Cohen explains how the invention of gas lighting reinvented
the theater. In production we learned how gas lighting gave the directors control of how dark or
light they could make the auditorium, adding a new ambience to the theater experience. As
theater lighting matured, so did the set designs. We learned there are a number of different ways
they used to change sets on stage. This reading explained how the lowering of the stage curtain
during set changes was not always standard. By darkening the auditorium and utilizing the
dividing curtain from the stage and the seating, the relationship between the performer and the
audience changed drastically.

4. Describe a concept from this reading that is relevant to your own creative and scholarly
interests. (10 points)
Living in the age that we do now, it is hard to imagine a time when demure, terre terre
movement was the preferred style. But then, people started putting in their own twist on it which
introduced ballone and pointe work. Nowadays, modest movement may only be appreciated by
an educated dancer. Society is more interested in big jumps and lots of turns that look more like
tricks than artistry. Its a definite shift in desire that we wouldnt notice unless we look back in
our history.

5. Ask a question about this reading, or discuss one item in this reading that you are curious
about. (10 points)
Why is it that dance in America has always taken a back burner? It seems that throughout
American history there is always a different reason for why dance is bad or not important.

DANC 40383
Jessica Zeller
Critical Reading Response Form A
6. If you were asked to teach a dance history class on this subject, what key piece of information
would you make sure to include? (10 points)
I would make sure to talk about the ballet themes of the romantic era: the unattainable woman
and a dream or white scene.

7. For the item you listed in #6 above, explain in a few sentences why that piece of information
would be important for dance history students to know. (10 points)
I think it is important to know because these romantic ballets are some of the oldest ballets that
are still performed today. Students should be able to watch a ballet and recognize what era it was
from based off of its characteristics. Along with that, a deeper knowledge of why the ballet is
choreographed the way it is will help students analyze the work, as well as instill a greater
respect for the ballets history.