UNTRAINED

Teacher Resource Activities for Untrained
These activities are suggestions only and teachers are strongly encouraged to adapt or alter suggestions to suit their schools and individual classrooms. The
activities outlined below are designed for Senior Secondary students and include cross-curricular activities as well as some activities specific to the artforms
of drama, dance.movement. While there is some natural flow between these activities, it is not critical that activities are completed in the order presented
under ‘Post Performance’.
Pre Performance
Introduction to Untrained
Topic/Theme Learning Experiences
Introduction to
‘Untrained’
1. Display the word - Untrained. Divide students into small groups for a brainstorming session.
2. Ask each group to brainstorm what this word evokes for them. Encourage students to include response to the word as a ‘title’ as
well as what it may mean in general usage. (Record these for later reference.)
3. As a whole class, groups are to share their thoughts. Elicit from students what they believe a performance inspired by this word
might include.
4. Elicit from students their understanding of the word ‘postmodernism’. (See the following links for definition if required -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postmodernism_in_the_theatre, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postmodern_dance) They should also
consider what ‘postmodernism in theatre and dance’ might refer to.
5. Discuss the following quote from Lucy Guerin regarding the connection between ‘Untrained’ and ‘Postmoderism in dance’ (refer
also to the review –Appendix A – by Alison Croggan in relation to this connection):
People have been using Untrained bodies in dance since the sixties so this is nothing new. In fact these elements of chance, pedestrian
movement, lack of theatricality are now firmly embedded in contemporary dance practice. Recent European conceptual dance (Jerome
Bel, Xavier Leroy,) has its roots in the work of the artists of the Judson Church. I think one of the main things Untrained has in common
with the post modernists is that it is asking questions about the act of performance and what is interesting to watch for an audience.
NB If you wish to engage more fully with the history of postmodernism and dance, students could spend some time researching this
era. Discussion can be encouraged drawing from their research and focusing their thoughts on what a production that is reminiscent of
postmodernism in dance may entail.
6. Review student expectation of the performance based on this information, reinforcing the unique nature of the performance which
is more about movement and expression that a complex choreographed dance work.
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