Where: Greenwich Dance Academy
When: 22nd-26th August 2011
Teacher: Rob McNeill
Alongside being a core member of Punchdrunk for the last 7 years, Rob has performed in a range of settings. Devising and performing work for The National Theatre, Young Vic, ENO, Glyndbourne, ART/Harvard and Sadlers Wells. Recently he has choreographed ‘Les Enfants Terribles’ an Opera by Phillip Glass and he continues to develop his approach to Interactive and site-sensitive immersive performance.
The class: The class takes a choreological perspective on movement. Exploring the divergence between the ‘choreutic’ and the ‘eukinetic’ elements of space. We will use Improvisation and contact based exercises to develop the dancers range in both movement and expression. The main principles of the class revolved around somatic considerations of the body beginning with partner manipulation; phrases that moved into and out of the floor with considerable speed; combinations combining elements of improvisation and finally; contact improvisation itself.
My verdict: The size of the class changed considerably to last week! A much smaller, more intimate space was created, and I found this a much more effective platform for me to get back in touch with my body, allowing it to move again.
There was an organic development to this class which I found calming and somatically pleasing. Sporadically working with counts, the combinations of this class meant folding into and out of the floor, wrapping the body up in itself then extending through space. There was little aerial work involved, but this class seemed to align similarly with what I needed at the time (an aspect of making artistic choices a lifestyle I’m trying out…).
This class made me realise that I’m a little out of practice with contact improvisation… it’s a practice that is well worth time and effort and can be a incredibly satisfying. It’s a way to connect with your own body’s movements, and sensitizing yourself to the movement of another. Developing this kinaesthetic sense can aid all other aspects of dance. Note to self: discover more contact improvisation opportunities here… anyone know of any?