COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is designed to be simultaneously technical, philosophical, and socio-cultural. It is intended to cultivate a practice of mining an available body within the landscape of technique and researching the possibilities of self-transformation through shifts in perception of dance. How might this physical and perceptual research help me to become more than I think I am? (increased capacity of knowing self and knowing dance) By recognizing the the social and cultural forces embedded in our bodies (Gender, Sexuality, Race, Class/Privilege, Location, Age, Ability) we become aware that we are not neutral vessels. How does this awareness affect my moving self and my moving self in relation to this form? (Contemporary /Modern dance or any form).
COURSE CONTENT
Classes are designed to follow a natural progression; both conceptually and physiologically. Through both directed improvisational and structured exercises, students will learn to tune their mind-body by deepening texture, tone, availability, dynamic intent, rhythmic complexity, musicality, emotional/theatrical capacity, isolation, technical versatility, nuance, expansive physicality and performance quality.
Students will learn to drop-in to their own unique dynamic by exploring the statements above, as well as:
Anatomical mapping- tuning, aligning and connecting deeply to develop foundation
Noticing time - practice being inside, within time
Notice space - practice being in space, within space
Finding balance between - Internal | External, Hustle | Flow, Effort | Ease
The vastness of space around me and the space within me - is not separate
Sequentiality- point of initiation follow through, pouring and stacking my weight
I practice seeing and being seen - I invite being seen
Awakening Sensorium (seeing, feeling, listening, breathing) how can I unfix my senses and move in response to them?
Spiraling- can the spiral become a tool for the radical transformation of my materiality?
I practice remembering that there is no it to get. I will never get it. JOY!
As we move into combinations and phrase-work, attention is given to including the above concepts as we progress. Additionally, they are designed to increase the students range as technicians with awareness of alignment, music, and momentum through full bodied yet nuanced exploration. This is all done by embracing and finding pleasure in rigor and risk and moving through the semester together with awareness that the work we do in this class can translate to every encounter we have outside of class. Dance is not separate from life.