Success! Finally! I felt that Black Butterfly really really came together tonight. We moved properly within the structure of the story and really connected with the characters. I'm so glad that this is ending on such a positive note. There was so much right with the performance. I felt it more tonight than I have in the past weeks of rehearsing and dancing.
I only missed one step, and that was a minor one. I felt it was better not to take the spin with Anna after removing Lindsay's wings, because if I did, I would have fallen over. I can't wait for the surgery to fix my knee. So I didn't spin and my knee didn't give out, so I think it was for the best.
Carine and I used our soft shoes for our piece so we added some extra pirouettes (piques for me) and a little extra flair. I think it went really well. We got to dance it. Really dance it. I'm so glad I got the opportunity to do this little piece with Carine. I had to quit ballet so suddenly. There was no goodbye, I was just gone. I never got closure. I've always felt torn about it. I had to, but I also felt I turned my back on ballet, my teacher and my studio. Particularly quitting in the middle of the season. But now, even if I don't ever do it again, I finally have closure. I got to say goodbye. I may permanently come down off pointe now. I've made my peace with that. And that is a gift I couldn't have received without this class, without Carine and without Daystar. So even if nobody reads this, I have to say thank you. To everyone in the performance, to our audience. And in particular to Carine and to Rosalie. So thank you. From the very bottom of my heart.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Thursday Performance
I feel like it could have gone better. Just one more week to practice and it would have been better. We got great responses, but part of me feels that the responses are just super positive to keep our spirits up so that we will dance it well and hopefully better tomorrow. I know I could have done better.
Our audience was excellent. They had energy and really helped the show maintain momentum. The quilters had good response and I got to see the quilt (finally!). It is already beautiful, but the finished product will be stunning. I was quite impressed with the Unity Singers - what a great way to start the show!
I know I forgot a couple things in Black Butterfly. I won't forget those same things tomorrow, I know that for sure. I feel like the whole performance could have used tightening up. I am actually quite negative tonight and that is very unusual for me after a performance.
The reception after was lovely and I got the chance to speak with some people I hadn't seen and meet some of the family of the girls in the show. Mine is coming tomorrow. I'm glad they will, because hopefully my pieces will be up to snuff. I can't believe it's almost over.
Our audience was excellent. They had energy and really helped the show maintain momentum. The quilters had good response and I got to see the quilt (finally!). It is already beautiful, but the finished product will be stunning. I was quite impressed with the Unity Singers - what a great way to start the show!
I know I forgot a couple things in Black Butterfly. I won't forget those same things tomorrow, I know that for sure. I feel like the whole performance could have used tightening up. I am actually quite negative tonight and that is very unusual for me after a performance.
The reception after was lovely and I got the chance to speak with some people I hadn't seen and meet some of the family of the girls in the show. Mine is coming tomorrow. I'm glad they will, because hopefully my pieces will be up to snuff. I can't believe it's almost over.
Dress
Dress rehearsal was L-O-N-G. We had lots to talk over. I think it was....okay...ish, for a dress rehearsal. I've been at ones that went better, but I've also seen worse. I think everyone is just exhausted from the practice and balancing all the other schoolwork at the same time. I have about a billion essays I am working on while trying to remember every step in Black Butterfly. Yikes!
Rosalie handed out some well deserved criticism (constructive, but quite apt). We all need to tighten up. I think adrenaline and the mystery of performance will bring it all to life. I'm happy that Ned was able to give us an alternative perspective - he is quite good at picking out problems and addressing them. Poor Daystar has been seeing the same mistakes all term - that must be tiring. Carine and I received excellent advice for Black Butterfly and we will talk to the girls tomorrow. We will get together and meet about our story. We're dancing, but we need to connect with the story and tell it. Become our characters. We'll get it.
I need sleep, or I won't dance tomorrow, I'll be sleeping in the locker! Just as long as my knee holds on until the end of Friday night.
Rosalie handed out some well deserved criticism (constructive, but quite apt). We all need to tighten up. I think adrenaline and the mystery of performance will bring it all to life. I'm happy that Ned was able to give us an alternative perspective - he is quite good at picking out problems and addressing them. Poor Daystar has been seeing the same mistakes all term - that must be tiring. Carine and I received excellent advice for Black Butterfly and we will talk to the girls tomorrow. We will get together and meet about our story. We're dancing, but we need to connect with the story and tell it. Become our characters. We'll get it.
I need sleep, or I won't dance tomorrow, I'll be sleeping in the locker! Just as long as my knee holds on until the end of Friday night.
Week 9
I can't believe that the show is next week! OMG! It has come up so quickly, but I still feel like we need about 3 more weeks to bring it all together! Though there is something to say for it not being all dragged out and too long. Focus is key. I feel like we fell apart in the run through on Wednesday. Hmmm. It will come. We've scheduled an extra rehearsal. It will come.
Tech day was loads of fun. Got to see lots of the pieces. Almost everything actually. I'm worried about Carine's ankle though. Wish she'd be careful. I know how dancers are though. Dance on broken bones, most of them. It's just pain.
With Carine's ankle and my knee, we've taken it pretty easy when rehearsing our pointe piece. I love that bit. Probably because we choreographed it and it is the only "typical" ballet piece I've done in 10 years. It's a bit of my heart. I love it. It makes me so happy to be free and in my dance gear again. I know I'm not as good (re: discipline) as I once was, so I might not be as tight or as precise, but I'm happy and I'm dancing with my heart.
Tech rehearsal went well, overall. We worked hard and I think we've got it settled. I want to see the pieces I didn't get a look at - mainly Claire's monologue. I've seen I think everything else now:) Well, the show continues, but it somehow feels like a runaway train!
Tech day was loads of fun. Got to see lots of the pieces. Almost everything actually. I'm worried about Carine's ankle though. Wish she'd be careful. I know how dancers are though. Dance on broken bones, most of them. It's just pain.
With Carine's ankle and my knee, we've taken it pretty easy when rehearsing our pointe piece. I love that bit. Probably because we choreographed it and it is the only "typical" ballet piece I've done in 10 years. It's a bit of my heart. I love it. It makes me so happy to be free and in my dance gear again. I know I'm not as good (re: discipline) as I once was, so I might not be as tight or as precise, but I'm happy and I'm dancing with my heart.
Tech rehearsal went well, overall. We worked hard and I think we've got it settled. I want to see the pieces I didn't get a look at - mainly Claire's monologue. I've seen I think everything else now:) Well, the show continues, but it somehow feels like a runaway train!
Week 8
Well, it really is coming down to the wire. We still have patchy bits in Black Butterfly and difficulty with cohesion. We're dancing the choreography, but it has no life. I'm sure it will come, it always does. Performance is a powerful thing.
Carine and I have been working on our individual. We had one focus for choreography and some great ideas, but now we've trashed it all and reworked it. We have the basics written down and hopefully with practice it will come together. I want it to be a light piece. Airy. Fun. Ballet can be seen as super traditional, but we want to laugh and to dance as we live. Both of us had to quit, and it is so liberating to be back. I didn't realize how much I missed it. I always spent time in my house, alone but for the dogs and just going through some of it. But not with another dancer. Hardly ever with music. It was secondary but nothing I gave up.
I'm concerned about the Metis jig. It doesn't seem to have come together even still. It will be a fun dance, but I don't know if it will be ready for the show. I must have faith in Rosalie, even if I have little faith in myself and my fellow dancers.
Carine and I have been working on our individual. We had one focus for choreography and some great ideas, but now we've trashed it all and reworked it. We have the basics written down and hopefully with practice it will come together. I want it to be a light piece. Airy. Fun. Ballet can be seen as super traditional, but we want to laugh and to dance as we live. Both of us had to quit, and it is so liberating to be back. I didn't realize how much I missed it. I always spent time in my house, alone but for the dogs and just going through some of it. But not with another dancer. Hardly ever with music. It was secondary but nothing I gave up.
I'm concerned about the Metis jig. It doesn't seem to have come together even still. It will be a fun dance, but I don't know if it will be ready for the show. I must have faith in Rosalie, even if I have little faith in myself and my fellow dancers.
Week 7
Well, it's getting quite close. I feel like there isn't enough time to practice Black Butterfly. It is such a complex and interesting piece and I want to do it justice. Conflicting schedules really make it difficult to have more frequent practices. Not to mention the 5 other classes I am taking - I really don't have much time myself.
I am still enjoying the routine of having a regularly scheduled dance class again. Knowing that I have it and I must attend is wonderful. I get to move, to stretch and use parts of my body and mind that have been sitting unused since I had to quit dance many years ago. It feels good - this uniquely physical method of learning and knowing. I feel so much more at home communicating through dance than with words. Even though I can talk all day long about anything, there is something for me about dance. I think it is that with the concentration on the physical body, I finally feel centered. As opposed to thinking about theory and academia, where one thought spawns another until it is utter chaos in my head. But using body parts independently and together creates a focus and clarity that allows me to calm down and slow down so that my brain isn't whirling. I didn't realize how much I used that in my daily life until this semester. I have been dealing without dance for so long, that I didn't realize the loss of it had such a huge impact on me.
Breathe. Focus. Emote. Move. Hold. Pause. Breathe.
I am still enjoying the routine of having a regularly scheduled dance class again. Knowing that I have it and I must attend is wonderful. I get to move, to stretch and use parts of my body and mind that have been sitting unused since I had to quit dance many years ago. It feels good - this uniquely physical method of learning and knowing. I feel so much more at home communicating through dance than with words. Even though I can talk all day long about anything, there is something for me about dance. I think it is that with the concentration on the physical body, I finally feel centered. As opposed to thinking about theory and academia, where one thought spawns another until it is utter chaos in my head. But using body parts independently and together creates a focus and clarity that allows me to calm down and slow down so that my brain isn't whirling. I didn't realize how much I used that in my daily life until this semester. I have been dealing without dance for so long, that I didn't realize the loss of it had such a huge impact on me.
Breathe. Focus. Emote. Move. Hold. Pause. Breathe.
Week 6
Things are getting quite busy. It is crunch time for learning choreography, which makes me slightly nervous since we haven't finished black butterfly. What we have is pretty good - we pretty much know where we're supposed to be during the music, but we still haven't finished it.
I'm learning alot about choreography through this process. We're going through it bit by bit. Sometimes using what Rosalie has already done for it and sometimes adapting or creating new bits that suit us as dancers better. I'm happy there was at least a template for it, partly because the piece is so long and complicated and partly because we have no time to get this together and ready for showing.
I'm getting quite interested in the personal pieces. Not sure what there will be besides Carine's and my pointe piece, but I think besides Raya, there is Anna with her Latin dance, Lindsay with her hip-hop, some of the girls have Jingle Dress and Shawl experience (which I would love to see - especially the jingle dress) and there is also others I am forgetting. It should be interesting to see what we as a class can come up with, particularly since there are such diverse backgrounds.
The diversity in knowledge and training is difficult in that jargon is unfamiliar to some and basic steps need to be reviewed. On the other hand, having no experience allows the dancers to be free to be sculpted and molded through this process of choreography. It will be interesting to see which approach works better in the end.
I'm learning alot about choreography through this process. We're going through it bit by bit. Sometimes using what Rosalie has already done for it and sometimes adapting or creating new bits that suit us as dancers better. I'm happy there was at least a template for it, partly because the piece is so long and complicated and partly because we have no time to get this together and ready for showing.
I'm getting quite interested in the personal pieces. Not sure what there will be besides Carine's and my pointe piece, but I think besides Raya, there is Anna with her Latin dance, Lindsay with her hip-hop, some of the girls have Jingle Dress and Shawl experience (which I would love to see - especially the jingle dress) and there is also others I am forgetting. It should be interesting to see what we as a class can come up with, particularly since there are such diverse backgrounds.
The diversity in knowledge and training is difficult in that jargon is unfamiliar to some and basic steps need to be reviewed. On the other hand, having no experience allows the dancers to be free to be sculpted and molded through this process of choreography. It will be interesting to see which approach works better in the end.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
My Personal Dance Story
We have been asked to journal about three questions regarding dance and our participation in it.
1. Why did I become a dancer/continue dancing?
2. What does it mean to me/why do I dance?
3. An anecdote about my dance history.
1. I became a dancer at 2 when my mother put me into ballet classes. At this point I am sure it was more of a socialization tool and an activity to get me physically active and engaged with my body and movement. I moved when I was 4 and continued to dance in my new town. I missed dancing for about a year when I was 7/8 and picked it back up. I first started in ballet, then moved to modern and jazz and re-entered ballet when I was about 11. I continued with jazz, but discontinued modern dance. Along the way I took other classes and workshops in varied types of dance such as clogging and bellydancing (sorry Raya, I don't know how to spell Belladie ....see??!!).
I continued dance because for me it was a challenge. Particularly ballet. I have always been able to navigate easily through intellectual challenges like those in school, but to refine my technique and hone my skill to perfection is a bigger challenge for me. I engage my mind and body in discipline through this and have learned much about life and people and choices by pursuing dance. Dance wasn't a problem I could solve quickly - the skill set builds upon each practice and grade level. I have also always been better able to think when I am actively involved in sport or other physically demanding activities. Dance became a passion. It was where I could express myself emotionally and challenge my body. I was good, but not the best, and for a perfectionist therein lies the challenge.
I continued with ballet the longest, 13 years in total. In part because it is a rigid dance form with very specific relations in space, to your own body and to those of the dancers around you. I am flexible to the extreme and controlling my movements became part of the challenge and the reward. It was an area of my life I didn't have to explain and something I could love with all my heart and it was just for me. I had friends who understood the freedom that comes through the structure and discipline, though we never verbalized it. These and so many other reasons are why I continued to dance.
2. Dance, for me is a form of self-expression. It is creative, emotional, intellectual and a chance to challenge my body. It is a passion of mine. Sometimes I wish I could give up everything else and just dance for the rest of my life. Dance is a way to structure my life and to learn control, not only physically, but in all areas of my life. I am not one who cares too much either way about performing, though it can be fun. I dance for myself and not for others. When I dance the problems of the world (which I hope to address through my academic career) disappear and all I know is dance and how my body and mind feel.
3. The anecdote that I remember the most strikingly from dance has to be from the year I quit. I was 16 and had been having trouble with my knees. I went to the doctor, and eventually to the orthopedic surgeon. Long story short, he told me I needed surgery to correct the problem. On both knees at once and scheduled me for a few months down the road. I went home, thought about this and talked it over with my family. Then I went into privacy and thought about how that would impact on my dance career.
Eventually, after a lot of thought and tears, I knew I needed to quit. Not in May, when my surgery was, but right then in January/February. I went in the next week and spoke to my teacher. I told her what was going on and I never went back. Since joining this class and in particular since receiving this assignment, I've been thinking a lot about this incident. I've been wondering why I really didn't dance for the last few months, why I had to quit then. Why I haven't gone back. I still have all my shoes. I have always brought them with me when I move somewhere. I keep them in the closet, wrapped up and hidden. Sometimes, through all the years between then and now, I have broken them out and danced in my kitchen. I only ever do this when I am alone and have no chance of being caught.
Thinking about the reasons why I quit, I know retrospectively that I had to o it right then and couldn't prolong the time when I knew I would have to quit anyway. I left and didn't look back for a long time. Since then, I have not thought in depth about dance and about my abrupt departure from it. I know that I couldn't have without becoming upset. Leaving dance is one of the hardest things I had to do in my life. In the years between then and now, I know something has been missing in my life. Coming back to dance, even if only part time has given that back to me. I developed fears and avoided dance because I knew what I was missing. Even a decade later, coming back, my body still knows. It will take months of rigorous training for me to regain what I lost, but I have the most important thing back - that piece of myself that I abandoned almost a decade ago.
1. Why did I become a dancer/continue dancing?
2. What does it mean to me/why do I dance?
3. An anecdote about my dance history.
1. I became a dancer at 2 when my mother put me into ballet classes. At this point I am sure it was more of a socialization tool and an activity to get me physically active and engaged with my body and movement. I moved when I was 4 and continued to dance in my new town. I missed dancing for about a year when I was 7/8 and picked it back up. I first started in ballet, then moved to modern and jazz and re-entered ballet when I was about 11. I continued with jazz, but discontinued modern dance. Along the way I took other classes and workshops in varied types of dance such as clogging and bellydancing (sorry Raya, I don't know how to spell Belladie ....see??!!).
I continued dance because for me it was a challenge. Particularly ballet. I have always been able to navigate easily through intellectual challenges like those in school, but to refine my technique and hone my skill to perfection is a bigger challenge for me. I engage my mind and body in discipline through this and have learned much about life and people and choices by pursuing dance. Dance wasn't a problem I could solve quickly - the skill set builds upon each practice and grade level. I have also always been better able to think when I am actively involved in sport or other physically demanding activities. Dance became a passion. It was where I could express myself emotionally and challenge my body. I was good, but not the best, and for a perfectionist therein lies the challenge.
I continued with ballet the longest, 13 years in total. In part because it is a rigid dance form with very specific relations in space, to your own body and to those of the dancers around you. I am flexible to the extreme and controlling my movements became part of the challenge and the reward. It was an area of my life I didn't have to explain and something I could love with all my heart and it was just for me. I had friends who understood the freedom that comes through the structure and discipline, though we never verbalized it. These and so many other reasons are why I continued to dance.
2. Dance, for me is a form of self-expression. It is creative, emotional, intellectual and a chance to challenge my body. It is a passion of mine. Sometimes I wish I could give up everything else and just dance for the rest of my life. Dance is a way to structure my life and to learn control, not only physically, but in all areas of my life. I am not one who cares too much either way about performing, though it can be fun. I dance for myself and not for others. When I dance the problems of the world (which I hope to address through my academic career) disappear and all I know is dance and how my body and mind feel.
3. The anecdote that I remember the most strikingly from dance has to be from the year I quit. I was 16 and had been having trouble with my knees. I went to the doctor, and eventually to the orthopedic surgeon. Long story short, he told me I needed surgery to correct the problem. On both knees at once and scheduled me for a few months down the road. I went home, thought about this and talked it over with my family. Then I went into privacy and thought about how that would impact on my dance career.
Eventually, after a lot of thought and tears, I knew I needed to quit. Not in May, when my surgery was, but right then in January/February. I went in the next week and spoke to my teacher. I told her what was going on and I never went back. Since joining this class and in particular since receiving this assignment, I've been thinking a lot about this incident. I've been wondering why I really didn't dance for the last few months, why I had to quit then. Why I haven't gone back. I still have all my shoes. I have always brought them with me when I move somewhere. I keep them in the closet, wrapped up and hidden. Sometimes, through all the years between then and now, I have broken them out and danced in my kitchen. I only ever do this when I am alone and have no chance of being caught.
Thinking about the reasons why I quit, I know retrospectively that I had to o it right then and couldn't prolong the time when I knew I would have to quit anyway. I left and didn't look back for a long time. Since then, I have not thought in depth about dance and about my abrupt departure from it. I know that I couldn't have without becoming upset. Leaving dance is one of the hardest things I had to do in my life. In the years between then and now, I know something has been missing in my life. Coming back to dance, even if only part time has given that back to me. I developed fears and avoided dance because I knew what I was missing. Even a decade later, coming back, my body still knows. It will take months of rigorous training for me to regain what I lost, but I have the most important thing back - that piece of myself that I abandoned almost a decade ago.
Week 4 & 5 - Rehearsal
We had no class last week, as Waiting for Godot was opening in Nozheim theatre during our class time. I did not get to see Godot, as I am too busy right now to even sleep.
Rehearsal went well. We got to push back the stadium seating and begin to work the choreography through in the whole space. It looks and feels much better in the open room so none of us are dancing on top of each other and the stage is more open and less congested with dancers. It enables the story to be told in a freer environment and is much less confusing for us and I'm sure the eventual audience.
Anna and I are really coming together on our duets. The characterization is becoming obvious. I can't wait to see it all put together with the costumes and face paint. The tribute to Morrisseau will be great as a part of our piece. And the half paint will look great with the portion where we are lined up in the back.
Sharrifeh joined us last class and we got to insert her into the choreography which makes it easier to know where we are and what we are doing in regards to teasing her. She and Lindsay had an hour after the rest of us left to work on their duets so hopefully that will come together quickly. It won't be difficult for her to learn what we have going on for choreography because her part through what we have learned is minimal - it is more a matter of marking space for the rest of us.
Partnering with Anna is great - I am learning a lot as a dancer from her movement which she learned in Latin dance and we actually complement each other quite well. It is also fun to see what we can come up with together in small movements or choreography that works with our characterizations. I love being mischievous and mocking. It is a different sort of personality than one I have portrayed before. The movements belonging to this character are quirky and bug-like which is new. I am enjoying exploring this side of dance - more of a story than even ballet.
Rehearsal went well. We got to push back the stadium seating and begin to work the choreography through in the whole space. It looks and feels much better in the open room so none of us are dancing on top of each other and the stage is more open and less congested with dancers. It enables the story to be told in a freer environment and is much less confusing for us and I'm sure the eventual audience.
Anna and I are really coming together on our duets. The characterization is becoming obvious. I can't wait to see it all put together with the costumes and face paint. The tribute to Morrisseau will be great as a part of our piece. And the half paint will look great with the portion where we are lined up in the back.
Sharrifeh joined us last class and we got to insert her into the choreography which makes it easier to know where we are and what we are doing in regards to teasing her. She and Lindsay had an hour after the rest of us left to work on their duets so hopefully that will come together quickly. It won't be difficult for her to learn what we have going on for choreography because her part through what we have learned is minimal - it is more a matter of marking space for the rest of us.
Partnering with Anna is great - I am learning a lot as a dancer from her movement which she learned in Latin dance and we actually complement each other quite well. It is also fun to see what we can come up with together in small movements or choreography that works with our characterizations. I love being mischievous and mocking. It is a different sort of personality than one I have portrayed before. The movements belonging to this character are quirky and bug-like which is new. I am enjoying exploring this side of dance - more of a story than even ballet.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Week 3 - Class
This week in class, the Black Butterfly piece began to come together in a fairly cohesive fashion. We still have choreography to learn, but what we do have is now fairly ingrained within the dancer's movement and melding with the music.
The score we are working with is quite beautiful. It is unlike music I have danced to before. In some ways this is quite excellent. I am able to move in creative ways with this music and it speaks quite loudly to the piece and to myself as a dancer. The challenges I have with both the music and to some extent the method of choreography is that the music doesn't really work with the standard 8-count method that I have been taught. I am attempting to feel the music and the choreography as one, but I am still getting lost. It is helping me to grow as an artist, though. I am finding that I am not dependent on strict, ritualized methods of dance, which will contribute to my flow, emotion and creativity. I will grow as a dancer, but until I feel comfortable with this way of working, it will continue to be a challenge. I am truly trying to feel the music as part of me and part of the dance. I'm getting closer.
We didn't have a rehearsal this week, as none of us could find a time where we had the theatre booked that worked for the four or even three of us. Rehearsal won't work if we are down two butterflies.
We got to see the beginnings of the shawl dance this class and I can't wait to see it in its entirety and when it is completed with full costuming and the music that will be used with it. It is going to be quite beautiful. I am also really looking forward to the hoop dance and interested to see how Sly Old Bag comes together. All in all, the whole performance is going to be something. I'm just pleased to be able to be part of the cast.
The score we are working with is quite beautiful. It is unlike music I have danced to before. In some ways this is quite excellent. I am able to move in creative ways with this music and it speaks quite loudly to the piece and to myself as a dancer. The challenges I have with both the music and to some extent the method of choreography is that the music doesn't really work with the standard 8-count method that I have been taught. I am attempting to feel the music and the choreography as one, but I am still getting lost. It is helping me to grow as an artist, though. I am finding that I am not dependent on strict, ritualized methods of dance, which will contribute to my flow, emotion and creativity. I will grow as a dancer, but until I feel comfortable with this way of working, it will continue to be a challenge. I am truly trying to feel the music as part of me and part of the dance. I'm getting closer.
We didn't have a rehearsal this week, as none of us could find a time where we had the theatre booked that worked for the four or even three of us. Rehearsal won't work if we are down two butterflies.
We got to see the beginnings of the shawl dance this class and I can't wait to see it in its entirety and when it is completed with full costuming and the music that will be used with it. It is going to be quite beautiful. I am also really looking forward to the hoop dance and interested to see how Sly Old Bag comes together. All in all, the whole performance is going to be something. I'm just pleased to be able to be part of the cast.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Week 2 - Reheasal
We had our first rehearsal Sunday for the Butterflies. It was interesting. Less structured than I am used to, but the whole method of movement is also much less structured. It was a creative jam session, for lack of a better term. We were allowed input and it was welcomed. This is great. More of a group work, which is nice. We worked on various sequences, discussed the roles each of us is to take while performing. I am to perform a duet with Anna, which should be quite fun. Carine gets to be the "aggressive butterfly" which should allow her quite the interpretation and creativity with the role.
The sequences we're working on are from the original choreography that the Professor had worked out a few years back, but we're using the basics and reworking it to suit our talents, abilities and personalities. We were able to already tweak the choreography so it fits our class much better. The finished piece will still be a work in progress, as is any good piece of performance art. The process is so important, much more so than the end result. The artists are able to grow as performers and learn about themselves and life and explore. This shows in the reworking of each piece as time goes on - the continuum from one performance to another diachronically, is extremely instructional to an observer and performer.
I am interested to see how quickly this performance develops in contrast with other shows I have been in. It should come together quickly and polish up in a hurry - in all reality we have very little time. It also has the basic choreography together and we have plenty of experience dancers and performers. I am interested in the contrasting style of instruction and choreography in this class as compared to my RAD training. It will be a challenge and I am looking forward to the growth that will come from this.
The sequences we're working on are from the original choreography that the Professor had worked out a few years back, but we're using the basics and reworking it to suit our talents, abilities and personalities. We were able to already tweak the choreography so it fits our class much better. The finished piece will still be a work in progress, as is any good piece of performance art. The process is so important, much more so than the end result. The artists are able to grow as performers and learn about themselves and life and explore. This shows in the reworking of each piece as time goes on - the continuum from one performance to another diachronically, is extremely instructional to an observer and performer.
I am interested to see how quickly this performance develops in contrast with other shows I have been in. It should come together quickly and polish up in a hurry - in all reality we have very little time. It also has the basic choreography together and we have plenty of experience dancers and performers. I am interested in the contrasting style of instruction and choreography in this class as compared to my RAD training. It will be a challenge and I am looking forward to the growth that will come from this.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Week 2 - Training
This week in class was a very good work out for me. Not necessarily that I found the physicality difficult, but re-training my body from mostly classical Western dance tradition, particularly ballet, into alternate movements is proving a challenge. I started ballet when I was two years old and continued my training through my most formative years. I took a pause in the middle, but I did continue with modern ballet and shortly took up classical ballet again. So, as a child, learning how to move, balance and interact with the world at large, ballet was a pivotal foundation for forming my movements. I can still tell other dancers like me by watching the way they move around.
I have wanted, particularly through the past few years, wanted to try my hand at forms of dance I haven't had formal training in. Which is part of the reason I wanted to enroll in this class. Other forms of movement fascinate me, and using the body as a vehicle of communication that is rigid and structured as opposed to instinctive and enculturated forms of body language is an interesting phenomenon that appeals to the anthropologist lurking inside my brain. Not that much of the movements we've been practicing, particularly in warm up, have been rigidly structured. I am enjoying the freedom implied that I experience within the loosely directed movement. I feel able to discover movement and that I can communicate emotion, whether mine or felt within the music or in the simple movements given to utilize in many ways.
The difficulty I have seems to center around my balance point. In ballet, the balance is very specific which means that posture and ways of moving are strictly defined and carried out. It is the Foucaultian theory of docile bodies that explains some of the training that I have been through. It has been quite a positive thing in my life, and has enabled me to function well within my world, physically. I have had good posture and kept healthy in part due to the docility I was trained in at such a young age. However, the rigid structure and form of ballet has made it challenging to adapt to other types of movements. It is taking me a few tries to find the new center of balance for each move and to work my body in different ways. I have to consciously think about the manner in which my body is moving, rather than having it be an unconscious act.
I am glad to be training my body to move in new ways - to reassess my notions of center, balance and flow. My body will work even better and move well with these new ways of acting and reacting. I will eventually find my own flow and stop having to think about this. I am enjoying the consciousness of the new movement though, but when it becomes unconscious, it will be part of my muscle memory and therefore part of me.
I have wanted, particularly through the past few years, wanted to try my hand at forms of dance I haven't had formal training in. Which is part of the reason I wanted to enroll in this class. Other forms of movement fascinate me, and using the body as a vehicle of communication that is rigid and structured as opposed to instinctive and enculturated forms of body language is an interesting phenomenon that appeals to the anthropologist lurking inside my brain. Not that much of the movements we've been practicing, particularly in warm up, have been rigidly structured. I am enjoying the freedom implied that I experience within the loosely directed movement. I feel able to discover movement and that I can communicate emotion, whether mine or felt within the music or in the simple movements given to utilize in many ways.
The difficulty I have seems to center around my balance point. In ballet, the balance is very specific which means that posture and ways of moving are strictly defined and carried out. It is the Foucaultian theory of docile bodies that explains some of the training that I have been through. It has been quite a positive thing in my life, and has enabled me to function well within my world, physically. I have had good posture and kept healthy in part due to the docility I was trained in at such a young age. However, the rigid structure and form of ballet has made it challenging to adapt to other types of movements. It is taking me a few tries to find the new center of balance for each move and to work my body in different ways. I have to consciously think about the manner in which my body is moving, rather than having it be an unconscious act.
I am glad to be training my body to move in new ways - to reassess my notions of center, balance and flow. My body will work even better and move well with these new ways of acting and reacting. I will eventually find my own flow and stop having to think about this. I am enjoying the consciousness of the new movement though, but when it becomes unconscious, it will be part of my muscle memory and therefore part of me.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Week One
This was the first week of Indigenous Contemporary Theatre. I am quite excited for this class, as it engages me not only mentally, but physically as well. I am very happy to be part of this class. Talking, learning and sharing through movement is one of the many ways of knowing, and it is devalued in the dominant education system in North America. I am getting my B.A. in Anthropology, which will help me to actively pursue social change, but being able to learn from an Elder in this manner, will help me grow and learn academically and personally.
I am curious to see how each of the students are cast within the outlined programs. I am hoping for certain parts, but I will be happy with anything. I can dance. I almost can't believe that I get credit for this - it seems to be too much fun and too good to be true to be an academic class. I'm happy.
I am quite interested in the various backgrounds of the students within theatre and within their personal experience; we are a fairly diverse group. There are many talents to be drawn on to complete the performance and allow many students access to the knowledge of their peers and then the class can construct knowledge from the collective pool.
The stories to be told through dance are wonderful. I am particularly fond of the Black Butterfly story so far - it resonates with me personally at this stage in my life. I quite enjoy and am looking forward to learning the lessons from this and all the stories. I'm sure as the choreography develops and each role is filled and explored by a student, the meaning and understanding will change and grow.
Wednesday night was excellent. I really loved hearing about everyone and their history. I was also quite happy with the discussion about the plan for this class. The show is going to be amazing and I hope that I can reserve enough space for friends and family who want to see it. The experience is what I am looking forward to. Just the warm up and exercises we went through during the first class made me feel good. I enjoyed the unrestricted feel of the movements. I know the professor was evaluating us and attempting to see who would fit which roles, but none of that mattered. I was rediscovering what it feels like to dance, to move with music and express emotion, energy, self all of that and so much more.
Strangely enough, I had been trying to find an extra-cirricular dance class to pick up on my own, as I have been feeling the lack of a class and the connection with other dancers and myself and the expression. So much has been missing. And I hear from Raya that this class is being run and it fit into my schedule. I am quite happy. Also, same week, I was visiting a friend who I've known for a very long time but hadn't seen and she mentioned a class she's taking Monday nights in town, so I believe that I will be picking that up with her. Good social time, extra work out, more dancing. Everything is good. More dance class makes me very happy. Plus, it will help develop balance, and help me explore alternate movements. It is a jazz class, but more lyrical like modern. I am looking forward to trying it out. First class is tonight.
I am curious to see how each of the students are cast within the outlined programs. I am hoping for certain parts, but I will be happy with anything. I can dance. I almost can't believe that I get credit for this - it seems to be too much fun and too good to be true to be an academic class. I'm happy.
I am quite interested in the various backgrounds of the students within theatre and within their personal experience; we are a fairly diverse group. There are many talents to be drawn on to complete the performance and allow many students access to the knowledge of their peers and then the class can construct knowledge from the collective pool.
The stories to be told through dance are wonderful. I am particularly fond of the Black Butterfly story so far - it resonates with me personally at this stage in my life. I quite enjoy and am looking forward to learning the lessons from this and all the stories. I'm sure as the choreography develops and each role is filled and explored by a student, the meaning and understanding will change and grow.
Wednesday night was excellent. I really loved hearing about everyone and their history. I was also quite happy with the discussion about the plan for this class. The show is going to be amazing and I hope that I can reserve enough space for friends and family who want to see it. The experience is what I am looking forward to. Just the warm up and exercises we went through during the first class made me feel good. I enjoyed the unrestricted feel of the movements. I know the professor was evaluating us and attempting to see who would fit which roles, but none of that mattered. I was rediscovering what it feels like to dance, to move with music and express emotion, energy, self all of that and so much more.
Strangely enough, I had been trying to find an extra-cirricular dance class to pick up on my own, as I have been feeling the lack of a class and the connection with other dancers and myself and the expression. So much has been missing. And I hear from Raya that this class is being run and it fit into my schedule. I am quite happy. Also, same week, I was visiting a friend who I've known for a very long time but hadn't seen and she mentioned a class she's taking Monday nights in town, so I believe that I will be picking that up with her. Good social time, extra work out, more dancing. Everything is good. More dance class makes me very happy. Plus, it will help develop balance, and help me explore alternate movements. It is a jazz class, but more lyrical like modern. I am looking forward to trying it out. First class is tonight.
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