Rita Young Allen, MA, MS

FireBrand ~ Human Video Dance Team

All the music of this group will be Christian-based. I have included the definition below for understanding of what we will accomplish. If you are comfortable with full facial and body expression, this group is for you! ~Rita

A human video is a form of theatre combining music, modern dance and drama along with interpretive dance, American Sign Language, pantomime, and classic mime. A human video consists of a song or medley played over loudspeakers while actors use rhythmic physical movement (gestures and other movements of the limbs and body) to communicate emotions to a given audience.

The performance is presented in a form similar to a music video. It presents a story that illuminates a particular artistic intent through spatial relationships, meaningful gestures, and artistic movement. The story told within the video can be either implicit in the words of the song or a story written independently of the original artist's meaning.

Just as more "traditional" forms of theatre can be situated on different types of stages, so too can these dramatic acts. This particular form of drama can perform the same text in many different venues without disrupting its meaning. Because it typically has no set and limited costumes, it can be performed in almost any location.

Props are sometimes used, but are forbidden in some competitive venues. In this instance, props are restricted in an effort to force creativity, because in the ideal Human Video, all actors on stage should be used to represent objects like crosses, thrones, trees or giants. Actor's movements demonstrate a story and the theme of the song being played.

In the United States, one example of how human videos have permeated the culture is the inclusion of human videos in Fine Arts Festivals and church ministry groups in a variety of Protestant denominations.

Although elements of the form have existed in theatre for centuries and no one can actually claim to have invented it. It was used as a ministry tool first at church services and then for outreach and missions.