- Using audience members as dancers. This is often done in flash mobs or other surprise performances.
- Asking the audience to participate in specific movements. For example, the dance might include a section where the audience is asked to wave their arms or clap their hands.
- Creating a dialogue with the audience. The dance might tell a story or ask questions that the audience can respond to with their movements.
Interactive dance can be a very engaging and memorable experience for both the performers and the audience. It allows the audience to feel more connected to the performance and to have a sense of ownership over it. Interactive dance can also be a great way to promote community and social interaction.
Some examples of interactive dance include:
- Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's "Revelations." This dance tells the story of the African American experience through a series of spirituals. The audience is asked to participate in the final movement, "Rocka My Soul," by clapping their hands and swaying their bodies.
- The Australian Dance Theatre's "Proximity." This dance is about the relationship between humans and their environment. The audience is invited to move through a series of different environments, each of which is designed to evoke a different emotion.
- The Pilobolus Dance Theatre's "Shadowland." This dance uses shadow puppetry to create a series of moving images. The audience is asked to interact with the shadows by waving their arms and bodies.
Interactive dance is a relatively new genre, but it is quickly gaining popularity. It is a exciting and innovative way to experience dance and to connect with other people.