habit, technique, memory

I’m working on anew piece called “Cheek To The Light” that looks into the relationship I had with classical training as a child. I want to excavate that relationship with dance at its most heated point. I can remember feeling most connected to it when I was about 14 years old, rehearsing for a Tchaikovsky piece at Chicago Festival Ballet….and it’s so odd, I’ve never felt that passionate about a lover or artistic undertaking since. Now, ten years later, I want to answer some questions:
What about that prescribed technique MOVED me so much?
Why, besides the obvious repetition did classicism work its way so deeply into my body? into my heart?

I’m interested in technical integrity, yes. Also, I’m interested in ritual (especially the twisting of hair into a bun for some reason. it is an image that sticks with me)….and HABIT. What about bad habits makes them BAD? There’s a difference between dangerous/unhealthy habits in dance and mere affectation or anatomical limits. I want to use the affectations and anatomical limits I struggled with (and those of my dancers) to establish a new vocabulary that will turn into something good, interesting, honest, beautiful. I also want to look into images teachers and choreographers use in class and rehearsal (cheek to the light, like balancing a tea cup on your heel, like you have jewels on your chest, so a water droplet could drip from your shoulder to your fingertips).

For some reason, I am married to the idea that at least part of this piece is performed to “class music.” The kind of piano music an accompaniest plays in class, sometimes drawn from ballet and opera scores, sometimes original compositions. The music is often so stark, it allows for much interpretation.

My dancers will also be speaking in this work. Yay! I’m letting my two worlds collide here, and i hope the result speals well.

At any rate, TrioDance Collective will be presenting “Cheek To The Light” in December, paired with new pieces by Jessie and Emily, and we have our final audition for the upcoming season today. I’m excited to know the bodies and people I have to work with! It’s always hard for me to start work on a piece when I don’t know who I’m using.

We have an informal showing of “Cheek to the Light” in process at the STEPS on Broadway performance lab ib August 14, so I need to get on this piece very soon. Rehearsal footage and information about out new cast of TDC dancers to come.