SECOND STORY REHEARSAL #34

May 17, 2017

ONE PART REHEARSAL, THREE PARTS FUN!

​From start to finish, Eliza and Sebastian have a BLAST today!  They fill the rehearsal with shrieks of joy and non-stop laughter, run around the studio, manipulate every object that’s not tied down, imitate their parents’ dance moves, engage in imaginative play, and take flying leaps onto their prone parents.  Their sunny moods are infectious; the dancers are laughing, chatting, and thoroughly enjoying themselves.  Hmmm…is something in the air?  A taste of summer, perhaps?

The team begins the session today with lots of conversation…helping Jonathan brainstorm possible solutions to a work challenge…discussing potential photographers/videographers for our upcoming events as well as headshot and video needs…sharing Mother’s Day stories.

The dancers consider just stretching and chatting for the rest of the morning, but ultimately decide to warm-up – while still laughing!  After a brief sequence with Eliza and Sebastian in their parents’ arms, Jonathan senses the time is right to substitute a yin yoga class for the usual ballet and modern dance-driven warm-ups.  He takes Mandy and Lorena through a series of 8 poses, each one held for 3 minutes.  Jonathan explains that each pose targets a specific meridian and allows the fascia to expand, thereby facilitating circulation.  Yin yoga is considered to be a passive practice designed to complement more vigorous exercise.  Practitioners are encouraged to allow, not force, the stretches to happen and to accept the presence of the feelings that inevitably surface.  Jonathan reminds the dancers of the spiritual and psychological benefits of this practice and predicts that they will feel physically and psychically energized by the end.  In the process, they are able to stretch and open up the sternum, hip flexors, glutes, hamstrings, quads, groin, and shoulders.  They conclude the class with a pose of deep relaxation.

Throughout the yin yoga class, the kids crawl over their parents and “ride” them like ponies, squealing in delight.  The parent-child interactions give new meaning to the term “shared experience!” 

So…should we dance?  Jonathan throws on Justin Timberlake’s latest hit, and everyone – big and little – dances freestyle.  We are all having a great time!

Shall we do a little work today?  Mandy and Lorena decide to run through the duet while Jonathan takes notes.   We see Jonathan using his body to test out movement ideas.  He first works with Mandy on the following qualitative details:

• Begin with more legato, fluid arm movements.
• As the arms travel up and down on the legs, make the motions asymmetrical.
• Timing adjustments.
• Employ more pull through the ribs during a particular phrase.
• Provide greater contrast in height levels.
• Execute more circular changes of direction.
• Make the agitated gestures even more contorted.
• Lead rotations with the chest.

Jonathan then shares notes with Lorena.  Highlights include:

• Early movement phrase needs to begin on the floor.  Jonathan and Lorena work together to figure out the most effective choreography for this segment.
• Timing adjustments.
• Jonathan demonstrates how he would like Lorena to “dance through” the steps so they do not appear to be superfluous.
• Resolve the upper body and prepare it for the next phrase.

We wrap up today’s rehearsal with diaper changes and further discussion about future showings…possibly offering organizations, studios, and arts councils hybrid shows featuring performances, process exploration, and teaching some of the repertory...waiting until we have sufficient new material to do another self-produced show…partnering with organizations and participating in established festivals that produce and promote shows, attended primarily by their own audiences.

​So…15 minutes of actual rehearsal out of 3 hours of studio time.  Not bad!