Intervention of Spoken Word in Making Contemporary Dance Choreography
Muhammad Fairul Azreen bin Mohd Zahid, Mohd Kipli Abdul Rahman, Ahmad Kamal Basyah Sallehuddin and Syahrul Fithri Musa
Abstract:
Introduction: The integration of spoken word into contemporary dance choreography has gained increasing attention as a means of addressing complex societal and political themes. However, scholarly understanding of its function as a choreographic tool remains limited. Methods: This study adopts an auto-ethnomethodological approach, combining principles of embodied cognition and performative analysis, to investigate the choreographic process behind the work 1st APPEAL. The analysis draws on the choreographer’s reflective practice and experiential insights. Results: The findings reveal that the selective use of spoken word can enhance the thematic resonance and conceptual clarity of a choreographic piece. Furthermore, dancers’ comprehension of the spoken content was found to significantly influence the embodied realization of choreographic intent, suggesting a reciprocal relationship between verbal articulation and physical expression. Discussion: These results underscore the importance of integrating spoken language intentionally within dance to preserve the expressive balance between movement and text. The spoken word emerges as a dynamic choreographic tool that deepens interpretive engagement and narrative coherence in performance. Conclusion: This study contributes to the evolving discourse on choreographic methodologies by highlighting the potential of spoken word to bridge meaning and motion. It offers valuable insights for choreographers seeking to expand their performative vocabulary through the thoughtful integration of language and movement.
Keywords:
Auto Ethnomethodology, Choreography, Constative, Contemporary Dance, Embodied Cognition, Performative Acts, Speech Act, Spoken Word.
Citation: Muhammad Fairul Azreen bin Mohd Zahid, Mohd Kipli Abdul Rahman, Ahmad Kamal Basyah Sallehuddin and Syahrul Fithri Musa (2025). Spoken Word in Contemporary Dance Choreography. Horizon J. Hum. Soc. Sci. Res. 7 (1), 41–59. https://doi.org/10.37534/bp.jhssr.2025.v7.n1.id1282.p41
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