Death

Our VERY Late Blog!

Sorry this is late! We have had a busy couple of days.

------------------
That, and the following blog, was written almost two weeks ago! Oh my goodness, how busy we have become! I am sitting in rehearsal trying to get caught up on everything while Tosha works with Ursula. The blog is now tardy beyond all reason! While we haven't been posting, we have certainly been rehearsing. We have a lot to catch you up on! Well, here we go!
--------------------
On Thursday (that would be 6.24), we worked with Nathan and Corinne on a new section. Using a basin turned over, a man's jacket, and a bouquet of flowers we created a grave. (You can take a look at some video from it on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Bmvz6LRk08.

Working on this section, and Nathan's solo the previous week, we have found ourselves developing movement in a more imagistic way. Our usual level of choreographic complexity has given way to a movement vocabulary that is simple and more basic. We are finding that the movements and steps aren't the most important thing... it is how the actions are performed and the intent behind them that makes the story.

Working on 'Death' with Nathan and Corinne, we started with a movement vocabulary that was heavy and weighted. Using each other for support and impetus, the movement needed to be thick and deliberate.

Towards the end of the process, we felt that the weighted quality of the movement needed to change and we felt the need for more dynamics. Using movement that was faster, we added some fighting and asked the dancers to struggle with one another until they were tired. Tagging this onto the end of the section, we both felt that it was the right choice; however, it came out of no where.

Watching this last addition to the dance changed how we viewed everything that came before it. While the sense of heaviness and weight still seemed important, we now saw that we needed a more gradual build into the struggle and fight. Suddenly, thanks to the end, the beginning made more sense. Our next rehearsal will be our time to 'rough' things up a bit. Finding places to add that struggle and to build a sense of tension culminating in the full on struggle at the end.