Sunday Discussion Group - Theory & Frameworks

Now that we are a few weeks into the programme and have had the opportunity to gather online for a number of Skype sessions, I think it's time for me to ask something.

Does anyone else feel as though our discussions (although very interesting) don't seem to really correspond with the topic listed on our calendar? 

I DO NOT mean this as a criticism as what has been discussed up to this point has been both intriguing and lovely. It's just that I read the title of the upcoming discussion in advance, I join the call and then... it happens. I'm confused! Not confused as in I can't follow the conversation, but confused because to me, it feels like the conversation has veered off of the set topic.

For example, this week we were to discuss Theory and Frameworks. We did start off with a brief conversation, speaking about monism/dualism and then touched on the mind/body connection while dancing. We then took off into a conversation about choreography/repertoire/direction and performance which lead us into expectation. 

Since Sunday, I have been replaying the call in my mind and rechecking the notes I took and this topic of expectation is resonating with me. Particularly since I can identify through reflection that I have been expecting one thing from the Skype discussions but I feel like I'm getting something else from them. Again, I'm not looking at this from a negative perspective, just an honest one. I sit and listen intently to the discussions. I have not yet found or created an opportunity to speak out. I have had many thoughts and ideas that would feel appropriate to add, but while waiting my turn, the conversation always seems to quickly flow into something else, making what I would have added no longer relevant. It's as Adesola said, an improvisation, and it moves quickly. You have but a fleeting moment to jump in (and you don't know if anyone else is also about to speak!) and add your thoughts! This is a process that I am hoping to get more used to.

Maybe I need to tune into these discussions with a different approach and less expectation? Just listen and accept where the conversation goes. For someone (like me!) who enjoys structure and layout, that's tough! I'm open to it though, so that is my new plan.

There was one area of the discussion from Sunday that,  in retrospect, I wish I had added to... the re-staging/re-setting of choreography.

This is important to me and as I see it, it all boils down to one word: INTEGRITY.

Re-staging or learning a past piece of choreography is an honour. Whether it's classical ballet repertoire, theatre dance or modern works, etc.,  it is a piece of artistic history that is being passed on and shared with the dancer. Keeping the integrity and intention of the original creation should be the main goal, in my opinion. I do agree that minor modifications can occur based on things such as the body structure and ability of the dancer, but the main objective should be to keep it as close to the original as possible. 

It then becomes up to the dancer to interpret, feel and perform it in her/his own way. The personal "stamp" put on the performance should be rooted in the dancer's connection to things like the music, the story, dance partners/fellow castmates, audience, energy... NOT by modifying the choreography.

Using the original choreography as a base, a dancer can then utilise their own "artistic license" to add to or deepen their performance. It's a case of having a solid foundation first, then developing beyond. Tapping into their "Je ne sais quoi"...

Now, back to trying to wrap my head around my AOLs!

Wishing everyone a lovely day...