WSS prologue
Intention - answer The two gangs (sharks and jets) don't get along and are fighting for
their feet shown through their clicking and beats
Choreographer - answer Jerome Robbins
Section 1 - answer Intention: The jets own the space
Phrase: galloping canon, step kick left the right, step knock left and right, leader just
walking showing contrast
Section 2 - answer Intention: tension is building as leader of sharks gets introduced and
they feel discriminated
Phrase: clicks speed up which brings them to, two gallops into chains which is repeated
six times in a symmetrical position
Section 3 - answer Intention: jets overrule sharks, they feel empowered and happy
Phrase: step scuff with leg in air, into low gallop clicks, one group jumps over shoulders
then other group repeats, tells sharks to "beat it"
Section 4 - answer Intention- fight section between two gangs, hatred and tension is
high ( chaos )
Phrase- jets do two high sauté Basques in symmetrical position into a large tuck jump
Influences on intention - answer- Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, two warring
families, modernization
- post war immigration of Puerto Rican people to New York
- Racism becoming apparent in New York "no dogs or Puerto Ricans allowed"
Influences on movement vocabulary - answer- Robbins studied dance at the new dance
league
- his teacher was Elle Dagan ova who was a pavlova dancer and believed in beautiful
technique
- George Balanchine gave Robbins work at the American ballet as a choreographer
Influences on arts, artists and society - answer- he created relevant works that still keep
audiences coming in to this day
Intention - answer The two gangs (sharks and jets) don't get along and are fighting for
their feet shown through their clicking and beats
Choreographer - answer Jerome Robbins
Section 1 - answer Intention: The jets own the space
Phrase: galloping canon, step kick left the right, step knock left and right, leader just
walking showing contrast
Section 2 - answer Intention: tension is building as leader of sharks gets introduced and
they feel discriminated
Phrase: clicks speed up which brings them to, two gallops into chains which is repeated
six times in a symmetrical position
Section 3 - answer Intention: jets overrule sharks, they feel empowered and happy
Phrase: step scuff with leg in air, into low gallop clicks, one group jumps over shoulders
then other group repeats, tells sharks to "beat it"
Section 4 - answer Intention- fight section between two gangs, hatred and tension is
high ( chaos )
Phrase- jets do two high sauté Basques in symmetrical position into a large tuck jump
Influences on intention - answer- Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, two warring
families, modernization
- post war immigration of Puerto Rican people to New York
- Racism becoming apparent in New York "no dogs or Puerto Ricans allowed"
Influences on movement vocabulary - answer- Robbins studied dance at the new dance
league
- his teacher was Elle Dagan ova who was a pavlova dancer and believed in beautiful
technique
- George Balanchine gave Robbins work at the American ballet as a choreographer
Influences on arts, artists and society - answer- he created relevant works that still keep
audiences coming in to this day
