dance process journal #4: push

For this dance I want to build movement that is continually changing and yet still maintaining a strongly distinctive nature.  To create this structured improvisation, I must figure out what limitations to give the dancers in order to shape the flow of their movements.  I also need to figure out how to communicate clearly -- to the audience, and to the dancers.  The dancers interpret my directions as best they can, and then I think about what else I might need to say in order to guide them more specifically.

I don't want to write too much here concerning what this dance is "about" (and some of that is still to be determined), but by now you may have noticed that conflict is an important theme in the dance.  Today, we spent most of the rehearsal developing some of the movement for that theme.  I asked one dancer to push the other across the floor using any part of their body except for their hands.  When they reach the wall, they each work alone pushing against the wall.  At a certain point they will begin to feel tired and then they come together with leaning.  Then they go back into the pushing improv across the floor.

At about 7 minutes into this video clip, I add a new element.  The dancers continue their pushing improv -- but now, at some point while crossing the floor, they must also include the simple conflict phrase that we have worked with in previous rehearsals.  Their investment into the process and their wonderful creativity makes this so beautiful and interesting; well done, dancers!

dance process journal #3: dance baby dance

My favorite rehearsal so far! We had a fabulous guest artist with us, and were highly impressed with her contributions.  It was fascinating to see how she involved herself in our dance.  We didn't really work on some of the things I had planned, but we'll get to them next time.  We took time for the dancers to develop their individual movement themes, and then I just wanted to watch for a while as we mixed those with one of our specific action ideas (stepping/standing on each other).  At the end we worked a little bit with the hat again but we are going to have to set aside more time to work that out!  When something doesn't work, it helps to show me what might make it work.  Thanks dancers for running with all of my crazy ideas!