Contact Improvisation

with Andrew Wass

Thursdays, 19:45–21:15
Open Level

 

Asymmetric Autonomies – a technical approach to Improvisation
with Andrew Wass

This class looks at the relationship between the torso and the limbs, spatial/corporeal initiation, and improvisational movement scores. Solo body exercises will explore the intra-relationship of the anatomy, the medial and the distal parts of the body, and how they influence and inform each other. Drawing on Paxton’s Material for the Spine, Flying Low, and somatic-based material, we will investigate how to propel ourselves through space at different levels and speeds, while initiating movement from different parts of the bodies. Concepts such as momentum, duration, repetition, speed, and loft will also be addressed.  Improvisational scores will be used as points of departure to investigate listening and multiple forms of flow – mechanical, cognitive, and empathic. Each class will end with open dancing allowing the information to transition from focal to tacit levels of understanding, thereby allowing the students to progress from through the three stages of improvisation: listening, flow, improvising.