Technique:
EMP:
Then we spent the second hour working with EMP... eyes closed following open-ended imagery to inform the movement choices. This is an amazing process. Much like Dance Therapy and Authentic Movement, EMP begins with a leader who guides the group (or individual) through familiarizing themselves with eyes-closed movement. It is a difficult task because culturally we are such a visually oriented society. When one closed their eyes, suddenly the environment is frightening, unfamiliar and feels unsafe. Additionally, eyes closed moving in a group of people -even just walking around- means that their will be accidental touches that occur. An additional source of discomfort. This group, however, was open-minded and brave. They embraced the opportunity to dive into a new way of learning about movement, took risks, and were generous with their energy. Their reactions to movement ran the typical gamut of emotions from fear to relief, from a desire to connect with another, to a desire to remain apart. This group is open-minded, great listeners with a body-self familiarity that exists less when dancers are trained in specific techniques only. For example, ballet trained dancers can be absolute and amazing masters of the ballet technique and yet, in an environment where they are free move in any manner, the lack of form reveals a dancer who has not developed self-confidence as a mover outside of the movement of ballet.
These dancers moved so quickly through "water technique" and embraced EMP full-heartedly.
The students here are mostly modern trained movers, which makes teaching them what I call "water technique" amazingly easy. In one hour we covered what could have taken two days.. understanding the theory of fall & recovery (Doris Humphrey) and release technique.
EMP:
Then we spent the second hour working with EMP... eyes closed following open-ended imagery to inform the movement choices. This is an amazing process. Much like Dance Therapy and Authentic Movement, EMP begins with a leader who guides the group (or individual) through familiarizing themselves with eyes-closed movement. It is a difficult task because culturally we are such a visually oriented society. When one closed their eyes, suddenly the environment is frightening, unfamiliar and feels unsafe. Additionally, eyes closed moving in a group of people -even just walking around- means that their will be accidental touches that occur. An additional source of discomfort. This group, however, was open-minded and brave. They embraced the opportunity to dive into a new way of learning about movement, took risks, and were generous with their energy. Their reactions to movement ran the typical gamut of emotions from fear to relief, from a desire to connect with another, to a desire to remain apart. This group is open-minded, great listeners with a body-self familiarity that exists less when dancers are trained in specific techniques only. For example, ballet trained dancers can be absolute and amazing masters of the ballet technique and yet, in an environment where they are free move in any manner, the lack of form reveals a dancer who has not developed self-confidence as a mover outside of the movement of ballet.
These dancers moved so quickly through "water technique" and embraced EMP full-heartedly.
Choreography for the Company:
After the workshop I rehearsed with the company. These dancers are fearless risk takers (which I LOVE). They understand their body to the point where they can take "safe" physical risks, and they have enough confidence as performers to dive into the emotional risk. This didn't take place without the laughter that reveals discomfort. Sometimes the exercises would hit a nerve and the discomfort would show it's head, but the dancers moved through it and the dance we are setting showcases their strength as performers, as well as dancers!
I have begun setting a new version of the dance "Whispers, Silence, Rumors". This version will have it's own title as it is exploring a different angle, but it is performed to the same music as the two previous versions of the dance.
The dancers are employing the same process as the two previous versions... calling on their own inner resources to explore movements that come from subconsciously guided decision making. An example of this is one section of the dance that explores movement that entangle the dancers bodies, swooping in and out of each other's way, in an intricate timing that, if missed, could lead to the slamming of bodies together in manners that are not advised! With this direction, three couples have created their own choreographic phrases that interlock, the intersection of which creates a backdrop of chaotic humanity that is as of yet without interpretation. Within the next week we will fill in the movement blanks to finish the dance under the guidance of decision making that engages the subconscious. The end of this process will reveal a dance that will have meaning which will be revealed to us in time. When the meaning is revealed, we as a group will understand something about ourselves that our subconscious has dictated for us to see at this time in our lives.
I can't wait to understand what it will be!
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