Each week following an artist's post, reflection questions and research ideas will get posted. These are aimed towards college level courses (senior seminar, composition, dance education, and more), but of course anyone can read the postscript and find thought-provoking questions and activities.
Research: Creach/Koester
Gain a little window into Stephen's work with his company Creach/Koester. Here is an article from a past performance in Philadelphia:
http://articles.philly.com/1993-02-13/entertainment/25955881_1_partnering-dances-spartacus
Discuss: Young Choreographers Getting Their Work Out There
Stephen emphasized just getting your work out there, regardless of whether you have a company. In your early years as a choreographer, it is so important to have your work simply seen, and seen in multiple venues. In a college course, discuss, brainstorm, and research a variety of performance options outside of the university setting. Consider festivals, mixed bill performance opportunities, high school dance departments, and more. If students don't know where to begin this research, then consider first contacting your local arts council or dance service organization to help get started. For example, in the SF Bay Area the organization Dancers' Group is the main way to find out about performance opportunities (via their weekly ebulletin and also its printed newspaper).
Self-Assess: Your Skills as a Dancer
When answering the question, as to what Stephen looks for in a dancer for his own work, he shared a lot of important ideas. Re-read the paragraph again, and then consider your own skills. What do you want to work on in the near future? Stephen wrote:
Certainly more than technical ability though I honor this. I want someone who will allow me to see my ideas in new ways. I want a team-player, someone who is committed to process and willing to give of themselves in rehearsal. Someone who will be an integral part in the development of the movement. I want someone who is interesting both in the way they move and also in the life experiences they have had and their outlook on life. I want someone who isn’t afraid of dance and has fun. I look for abandon and risk in one’s dancing. I look for someone who is able to transcend in dance, who can fully live in the moment by losing themselves in the moment.
Comments