On July 13-17, Dance Entropy held its 12th annual Summer Intensive, and for the first time, it was held virtually. This new container for space was a great success for the 13 students, and 6 teachers that were in attendance.
Valerie Green led the morning class, “Enter the Body: Choreography Class to Create Outside the Box”. This workshop was designed to share valuable creative movement exercises and tools that stimulate the mind and body to improvise and generate new ideas. This opportunity was made to dive deeply into one’s physical and emotional body to explore and create in a nurturing environment. As the students worked in a virtual container from home, they also investigated their bodies in response to their physical environment, and were guided to break old habits, find new pathways and discover their own movement conceptions. The students who participated were asked about their goals made upon signing up for this class, here are some:
Drawing Exercise for “Enter the Body: Choreography Class to Create Outside the Box”
“Throughout this process I found that I did grow to become more confident in creating. I sometimes fear when entering the creative process, and I think this is because I overthink and get stuck in my head. Practicing the exercises given during this intensive allowed me to get out of my head and flow in the moment.”
“My goal was to explore more creativity through different choreographers. I achieved my goal. The study I liked the most is the one where we choreographed through paintings.”
“My original goals were to become more confident and freeing in my movement...I was prompted to take risks and move outside of constantly thinking before I do movement. This was both liberating and very uncomfortable, which is a great thing. Without sticking to the box of 5-6-7-8 dance/movement, I was allowed to let my body lead my mind as opposed to overthinking and limiting myself to always letting my mind lead. My favorite prompt was the one lead by sensations, which is something that we often leave up to the choreographer, and not the other way around. I also loved the drawing dancing, it was a big release. It was a freeing experience.”
“In this time, I am reevaluating who I share space with, and how I feel seen, heard, and represented, especially recently spending so much time in a predominantly white, contemporary and ballet based space. I really appreciate being with a diverse group.”
“Thanks for warming me to dance as a serious study--my deep and fluent analytic self has overdefined me in the past, especially as others have seen me.”
HIP-HOP/STREET STYLES
This summer dance intensive also had an afternoon portion for Hip Hop/Street Styles, the first time offered in the summer intensive, taught by Dance Entropy Teaching artists. These upbeat classes specialized in various styles such as commercial hip-hop, house, afro beat, funk and house. Originating in New York in the 1970s, hip-hop’s energetic and expressive movements have had a global impact on dance and popular culture. We’d like to share with you some of the student reactions:
“The Hip Hop/Jazz classes have been the highlight of my week, and a nice balance to keeping me motivated. Thank you so much for this experience. I felt super prepared after my first intensive, and realized I had so much more knowledge than many of my peers. This time enhanced my growth.”
“My goal was to experience more quality movement, and to have confidence in black cultural dances. Being black, I don’t really have confidence...now through my experience, it made a difference, and I feel more confident.”
Wrapping up a wonderful Hip Hop session
“I enjoyed all of the classes and experiences, I absolutely loved each of the facilitators, their energy, the challenge of having to work fast, and I especially appreciated their in-depth knowledge of the dances they are doing, which is most important to me.”
“I felt like we were able to make mistakes and not feel ridiculed, but instead, encouraged. It’s a part of the learning process.”
“Loved all the different styles--I think this should be a staple in the intensive.”
And that’s a wrap for Dance Entropy/Green Space’s first virtual intensive! We could not be more pleased to continue offering this valuable annual programming during this challenging time.