Anthology of professional works - AQA GCSE Dance: the six set works and how to study them

The anthology of professional works is the set of six dances you study for the written exam in Component 2 of AQA GCSE Dance (specification 8236). For each work you must know its intent, movement, staging and aural setting, then analyse, interpret and evaluate it. This guide maps the six works and how to study them.

The six set works

The anthology deliberately covers a wide range of styles:

• Artificial Things - Lucy Bennett, Stopgap Dance Company (2014). Inclusive contemporary dance exploring disabled and non-disabled dancers' lives and relationships.
• A Linha Curva - Itzik Galili, Rambert (2009). Brazilian-influenced contemporary dance celebrating rhythm, energy and community.
• Within Her Eyes - James Cousins (2016). A dance film exploring an intense relationship of love and loss.
• Emancipation of Expressionism - Kenrick Sandy, Boy Blue Entertainment (2013). Hip hop exploring the art form itself.
• Shadows - Christopher Bruce (2014). A contemporary work about a family under threat.
• Infra - Wayne McGregor, The Royal Ballet (2008). Contemporary ballet exploring human emotion beneath the surface of a city.

What you study for each work

For every work, build a fact file across four layers, each with its own dot point page.

Key facts

Title, choreographer, company, year and dancers. These are the foundation for every longer answer.

Choreographic intent and context

What the choreographer wanted to communicate, the stimulus and themes, and the style and background that shaped the work.

Movement and physical features

The action, dynamic, spatial and relationship content, the dance style, and the physical skills the dancers display.

Staging and aural setting

The set, props, costume, lighting and performance environment, and the music, sound or silence the work uses.

How the works are examined

The anthology is examined in the Component 2 written exam, alongside reflection on your own practical work. Questions range from short factual recall to extended evaluation. The longest questions, which carry the most marks, reward justified judgements about how features communicate the intent, backed by specific evidence.

How to study the anthology

1. Learn the facts first. Title, choreographer, company, year and dancers for all six works.
2. Know the intent. What each work communicates and the context behind it.
3. Analyse the features. Movement, staging and aural setting, using precise vocabulary.
4. Practise interpretation. Always say what a feature communicates, linked to the intent.
5. Evaluate with evidence. Make justified judgements with specific examples from the work.

The anthology, dot point by dot point

Each layer of study has a specification-level answer page with practice questions and cross-links. Test yourself with the anthology overview quiz.

For the official specification

AQA publishes the full specification (8236), the anthology and study guidance at aqa.org.uk. Always revise from the current specification and AQA's own resources, because the anthology and assessment detail are board-specific.