Excerpted Performances in Modernized Dance-Drama

Abstract

This research titled "Excerpts in Modern Dance" aimed to study and collect data on excerpts in modern dance, focusing on history, music and songs, costumes, dance movement, and choreography. This study used a qualitative research method, focusing on document research, collecting data from documents, academic articles, books, textbooks, online media, and related research. The collected data was analyzed and interpreted to obtain valuable results for studying and preserving excerpts specified in the Thai dance curriculum.
The research found 4 types of excerpts in modern dance namely 1) solo dance, 2) couple dance, 3) Rambam and Fon dance, and 4) drama. With examining the history and content of these performances, it found that solo dance, couple dance, and drama were performed by protagonists or important characters from specific stories or selected scenes. The postures and dance movement have been developed by interpreting lyrics and melodies, using standard dance movements, including basic movements, necessary traditional dance sequences, dance vocabulary, and arranged gestures according to the characteristics of the characters being performed. The performers must deeply understand their roles and the specific techniques related to each type of drama. The dances with Rabam and Fon were the creations of masters to enhance the richness and participation of theatrical performances. The tradition of creating dances for theatrical performances continued to this present day. The performers' costumes were designed to reflect the characters' social status or the story's context. The music and accompaniment align with the genres excerpted in Modernized Dance-Drama performances. All 4 types of performances were included in the curriculum of both tertiary and secondary educational institutions. However, they had different names for courses, such as Solo-Partner dance, Conservative dance, Hermitage learning, Standard dance, and Thai dance skills.