Dancers With Needs
So over the past week, we have had our first sets of eyes in the studio. Having people look at the piece has been intense, but really necessary. Everybody who has come in has mentioned Deborah Hay which I find rather funny. I read "My Body, the Buddhist" and it didn't really resonate with me, so, in all honesty, I have been somewhat disinterested in her methodologies. I am also not really a huge fan of the "performance score" methodology and how it is often bandied about. It often just refers to performers who don't really know what they are doing,(which isn't necessarily the worst thing) but "score" seems to glorify the attempt.
However, one of our observers mentioned her maxim "where I am is what I need". I guess the underlying principle is that there is validity to taking on the next choice you make decisively and with commitment. Anna and I have been looking at that statement in terms of its application to our process.
For me, "where I am is what I need" has been really helpful in starting to set material insofar as it doesn't really require you to pin things down or set things in a way that is restrictive. If you look at each step as "what do I need here?" as opposed to "what would be the best possible next step?" it is rather liberating. Also, it encourages one to fulfill the need. Rather than leaving it because you're antsy or over-indulging it, you can move on once where you are is no longer what you need.
But the questions persist as always. What is the relationship between the satisfaction of the performers and the quality of the dance? Is there a relationship between the needs of the performers and the needs of the audience? Additionally, I wonder if this methodology of fulfillment encourages one to stay within one's comfort zone. Compelling drama seems to be, on some level, about what goes unfulfilled. I don't have answers on this one yet. I'll report back.
Posted by
Jacob Peter Kovner on April 21, 2008 6:19 PM
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I wonder if this methodology of fulfillment encourages one to stay within one's comfort zone
Absolutely. Doing what feels right and good is not necessarily fulfilling thought. Sometimes a dancer needs to be pushed outside their comfort zone. There is something quite fulfilling in that too.