jazz dance
Rhythmic theatrical choreography
Jazz dance is a style of theatrical dance characterized by energetic movement, syncopation, and improvisation, originally developed alongside jazz music in early 20th-century African American culture.
It emphasizes isolations, sharp angles, and rhythmic precision.
The form evolved through Broadway, music videos, and commercial choreography: She studied jazz dance and ballet throughout high school.
Physically strong and active
- dynamicActive and changing
- livelyAnimated and energetic
- exuberantIntensely lively and cheerful
- bouncyTends to rebound
kinetic · animated · spirited · vigorous · explosive · sharp · isolations · contractions
States of being apart
- contractionsShortened word forms
- kicksSlang for shoes
- pirouettesOne-legged spinning turns
- chasséGliding dance step
ball change · pivot · fan kick · hitch kick · attitude · passé · relevé · plié
Southern Atlantic port city
- Lindy HopSwing dance from Harlem
- swingSuspended recreational seat
- Roaring TwentiesProsperous 1920s era
- Harlem RenaissanceBlack arts explosion, 1920s
speakeasy · flapper · Bob Fosse · Luigi · African American · vernacular · ragtime
Designing performance movement sequences
- routineRegular sequence of actions
- ensembleUnified group or outfit
- soloistUnaccompanied performer
- auditionTrial performance for selection
costume · rehearsal · stage · recital · showcase · finale · formation · unison
Complex psychological state
- dramaticStrikingly expressive or sudden
- interpretationAssigned meaning
- storytellingRecounting events aloud
- theatricalityExaggerated, showy manner
characterization · expressiveness · body language · poise · elegance · style · lyricism · sensuality
Without prescribed technique
- ad-libbingUnscripted spontaneous performance
- spontaneityActing without forethought
- creativityCapacity for original thought
- riffingImprovising musical phrases
variation · musicality · scatting · groove · interpretation · call-and-response · innovation · exploration
Manhattan theatrical district
- FosseDefensive trench around fortifications
- CabaretEntertainment venue with performances
- ChicagoMajor Illinois metropolis
- chorus lineSynchronized stage dancers
showgirl · vaudeville · musical theater · West Side Story · A Chorus Line · Pippin · revue · variety show
athletic
Physically strong and active
bouncy · kinetic · animated · spirited · vigorous · explosive · sharp · isolations · contractions · kicks
isolations
States of being apart
- contractionsShortened word forms
- kicksSlang for shoes
- pirouettesOne-legged spinning turns
chassé · ball change · pivot · fan kick · hitch kick · attitude · passé · relevé · plié · spotting
Charleston
Southern Atlantic port city
- Lindy HopSwing dance from Harlem
- swingSuspended recreational seat
- Roaring TwentiesProsperous 1920s era
Harlem Renaissance · speakeasy · flapper · Bob Fosse · Luigi · African American · vernacular · ragtime
choreography
Designing performance movement sequences
audition · costume · rehearsal · stage · recital · showcase · finale · formation · unison · spotlight
emotion
Complex psychological state
- dramaticStrikingly expressive or sudden
- interpretationAssigned meaning
- storytellingRecounting events aloud
theatricality · characterization · expressiveness · body language · poise · elegance · style · lyricism · sensuality · attitude
freestyle
Without prescribed technique
- ad-libbingUnscripted spontaneous performance
- spontaneityActing without forethought
- creativityCapacity for original thought
riffing · variation · musicality · scatting · groove · interpretation · call-and-response · innovation · exploration · instinct
Broadway
Manhattan theatrical district
- FosseDefensive trench around fortifications
- CabaretEntertainment venue with performances
- ChicagoMajor Illinois metropolis
chorus line · showgirl · vaudeville · musical theater · West Side Story · A Chorus Line · Pippin · revue · variety show
- American dancebreakdancing, hip hop, hustle, Charleston, lindy hop
- dance movespirouette, shimmy, waltz, tango, cha-cha
- dance photographystudio shots, action shots, motion blur, leaps, jumps
- dance stylesballet, tango, salsa, waltz, hip hop
- Dance topicsballet, waltz, tango, swing
- artsartist, creativity, expression, songs, painting
jazz danceclassical ballet
Formal European theatrical dance
ballet · romantic ballet · court dance · minuet · Russian ballet
jazz danceballet
Classical dance on pointe
classical ballet · tai chi · modern dance · lyrical dance · slow movement
dance, dancer, jazz, dancing, jazzy, jazzed, jazzing, danceable, dancehall