Improvisation jam

On the last week of term before Christmas all three years of dance students and the tutors came together to perform an improvisation jam, which was really fun! It allowed us to come together with other students I had not moved with before, and just experiment and explore with contact and relationships while moving. This was particularly fun and interesting as there was no expectations or criteria, we were just able to play around with movement without taking it too seriously or being graded etc.

We started by all moving individually in the space, as the sore gradually built up layers. We experimented with levels, direction, quality of movement, and then relationships and contact. Different types of music were also introduced to the score, which changed the levels of energy and atmosphere in the space. I found that I responded differently to different music, and sometimes my movement and mood completely contrasted depending on the music and energy of other movers.

Elements of the score I responded well to:

• Considering all parts of the space, such as the walls, and even the far edges of the space not just the middle. This was also useful for moments of pausing and/or witnessing.
• Brushing down others in the space. This could then lead to rolling, a change of level, following the person that brushed, or just an acknowledgement of another dancer that we may not have moved with before.
• All starting and finishing in the space together, which made me feel more comfortable and ready to move.

Overall this was a fun way to end the term, and just move how we wanted after a very tiring week during performance week :)   

The challenges of using speach during 'Walking piece'

I found it challenging at first to incorporate the use of speech within performance, as I have not done this before, so I had to work on my use of projection and letting go of fear of talking in front of an audience.


During one section we had to take it in turns to say a word from this list in order, while using a stomping action, jumping on the window ledge, and getting faster..

SPRIGHTLY
TIGHTLY
SLIGHTLY
NIGHTLY
SIGHTLY
BRIGHTLY
RIGHTLY
POLITELY

In another section we had to make out way around the corner, while brushing each other down and taking it in turns to say a tongue twister, then pass it on to another person in the group who then had to repeat it as fast and as clear as possible..

'SHE SIFTED THISTLES WITH HER THISTLE SIFTER'
'PLAIN BUN, PLUM BUN, BUN WITHOUT PLUM'
'RED LORRY, YELLOW LORRY'
'WHICH WRIST WATCHES ARE SWISS WRIST WATCHES'
'SIX SLEEK SWANS SWAM SWIFTLY SOUTHWARDS'
'ELLEVEN BENEVOLENT ELEPHANTS'

In another section we had to describe objects while moving in a turn table motion on different levels as part of the loops, and during the second time of doing so we had 'evolving walk' short moments- mine was a jump reaching back to touch my toes. Some of the objects were...

Cake
Car
Apple
Lift
Grass
Door
Hair straighteners
Socks
Table
Paper
etc..

A few Images of the rehearsal process

The 'here and there' section

coming down from the lift

'over the rooftops' walking on the walls

turn tables section

'sprightly' section

Brushing down, and tongue twisters

'here and there' section

the lift

Things to remember during performance

• Invite being seen
• keep seeing active in the room
• Each performance is an experience- keep learning no matter how small
• Get what I need from each performance, and don't settle for any less
• clear voice
• Taking time to do each section clearly and fully- not rushing
• laugh at my own serious intentions, even when those intentions are serious
• Be myself throughout- not trying to put on an act for the audience
• Enjoy each performance, and challenge myself throughout!

Final score.. Loop 2

Here is a score of the second loop performed as part of 'Walking piece'.

Final score.. Loop 1

Here is a score of the first loop we perform as part of  'Walking piece'.

Improvisation in collaboration with musisians

During our technique improvisation class we were given the opportunity to collaborate with music students, who would perform and work along side us during the session. This was a first time experience for me which was very exciting! During the session we were put into groups containing both dancers and musicians and carried out a series of tasks together, where dancers would improvise movement in response to the live sounds, and the musicians would create scores and improvise rhythms in response to the movement using instruments, voice and clapping.

I found that using the live music created a whole new atmosphere in the room and therefore a new way of moving and experimenting with rhythms, which I really enjoyed.

The last part of the session involved all of us in a circle around the room and holding an improvisation jam. The musicians could play their instruments/sing/clap at changing rhythms while the dancers came in and out of the space moving as we wanted. The movement and atmosphere was really alive, and the relationship between movement and music was an interesting idea that I could go on to explore in more depth.