eat Crow was choreographed using a process that I call "Historical Collaboration with a Dance Luminary"
Historical collaborations with dance artists from our past create new possibilities for choreography. We know there is much to learn from the historic struggles and creative artistry of the many dance luminaries who have come before us. How can we make dance history relevant to performers, expose them to distinctive styles and dances from significant contributors to history and teach them about collaborating with, rather than appropriating from, other artists? This process fosters choreographic collaboration with a past artist, opportunities to “work with" and understand the artist, and a means to continue and contribute to our rich dance history.
This choreographic process involves intensive, sequential study of an exceptional artist in an attempt to fully "converse" and collaborate with the artist.
1. Study of the artist, including biographical information and historical period (societal, economical issues, dance genres and other performers). Resources include newspaper articles, books, documentaries and videos.
2. Study of the artist's full, chronological body of dance/performance works. The essence, intent and impact of the works are analyzed. I explore descriptions, adjectives and images rather than appropriating sequences of dance steps.
3. Study of the dance genres, trends, shows and performers during the period in which the artist worked.
4. Choreography of dance phrases that endeavor to continue the legacy of the artist, rather than replicating the artist's work.
5. Audition of dancers.
6. Immersion of dancers into the artistry, contributions and life of the chosen artist.
7. Collaboration with dancers to bring their artistry into the legacy of the choreography. This process includes improvisation exercises that continue the exploration begun in step 2; rehearsal of choreography; performer development of distinct characters for the new dance work; continued discussion of the artist as part of our process.
Performers/collaborators from eat Crow premier, Hofstra University:
Back row from left: Sam Giordano, Jonny Cohen, Tori Colon-Succi, Gisselle Vazquez, Kevin Williams, Annik Spencer, Mary-Kate O'Toole,
Erin Caster (Assistant to the Choreographer), Maggie Carter, Teairra Price
Front row from left: Julia Macchio (Assistant to the Choreographer), Billy Cohen, Heidi Walter, Janelle Oppenheim, Miranda Muench
Historical collaborations with dance artists from our past create new possibilities for choreography. We know there is much to learn from the historic struggles and creative artistry of the many dance luminaries who have come before us. How can we make dance history relevant to performers, expose them to distinctive styles and dances from significant contributors to history and teach them about collaborating with, rather than appropriating from, other artists? This process fosters choreographic collaboration with a past artist, opportunities to “work with" and understand the artist, and a means to continue and contribute to our rich dance history.
This choreographic process involves intensive, sequential study of an exceptional artist in an attempt to fully "converse" and collaborate with the artist.
1. Study of the artist, including biographical information and historical period (societal, economical issues, dance genres and other performers). Resources include newspaper articles, books, documentaries and videos.
2. Study of the artist's full, chronological body of dance/performance works. The essence, intent and impact of the works are analyzed. I explore descriptions, adjectives and images rather than appropriating sequences of dance steps.
3. Study of the dance genres, trends, shows and performers during the period in which the artist worked.
4. Choreography of dance phrases that endeavor to continue the legacy of the artist, rather than replicating the artist's work.
5. Audition of dancers.
6. Immersion of dancers into the artistry, contributions and life of the chosen artist.
7. Collaboration with dancers to bring their artistry into the legacy of the choreography. This process includes improvisation exercises that continue the exploration begun in step 2; rehearsal of choreography; performer development of distinct characters for the new dance work; continued discussion of the artist as part of our process.
Performers/collaborators from eat Crow premier, Hofstra University:
Back row from left: Sam Giordano, Jonny Cohen, Tori Colon-Succi, Gisselle Vazquez, Kevin Williams, Annik Spencer, Mary-Kate O'Toole,
Erin Caster (Assistant to the Choreographer), Maggie Carter, Teairra Price
Front row from left: Julia Macchio (Assistant to the Choreographer), Billy Cohen, Heidi Walter, Janelle Oppenheim, Miranda Muench
