SECOND STORY REHEARSAL #9

September 21, 2016

Leading into the 9th Session

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• In discussions with Sherri, Jonathan identifies some preconceived ideas that tend to lead to anxiety and self-denigration.  As he becomes immersed in his artistic pursuits, he generates many ideas for the growth of these endeavors.  However, along with the excitement of imagining new possibilities comes the “requirements” he has internalized and an “all or nothing” perspective.  He expects himself to have every aspect of the initiative figured out in advance and berates himself when, inevitably, he cannot fulfill this requirement.  Furthermore, he worries that unless he says “yes” to everything that is proposed/offered, he will end up with nothing.
• Jonathan and Steffi Nossen’s executive director discuss possible collaborations.

• Jonathan drives to rehearsal today feeling stressed about a number of dynamics:

1. He is still affected by the anxiety he experienced during and after the last session.
2. He is worried that he is not making sufficient progress on his piece.
3. Various questions and doubts about his duet have been surfacing.

• Fortunately, he is able to self-talk:

1. He realizes that he typically questions his work mid-process.
2. He reminds himself that he only has one session a week to work on his duet; there is only so much he can accomplish in this short period of time.
3. He focuses on how much he loves getting together with his colleagues, creating work, and doing something he feels is important. 

9th Session

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• Jonathan still has no Wednesday child care coverage, so he must leave an hour early today to pick up Edgar from preschool.
• Lorena sprained her ankle so her movements are significantly limited.
• In the beginning of the session, Sebastian and Parker play contentedly with each other’s toys.  Everyone wonders how long this will last.
• Eliza only wants to be held by her dad as she is still not feeling well.  Sounds like what we all want when we’re sick!
• Jonathan shares with the team his discussion with Steffi Nossen’s executive director and asks for feedback on the proposed collaborations.  There is some concern about the viability of a company class that involves a significant amount of caregiving due to the presence of the children.  On the other hand, it might be a great way for other dancer-parents to bring their children to class.  The group wonders what a residency might look like.  Some members suggest holding showings of our work.
• Jonathan leads warm-up, offering notes on technique.
• The dancers warily keep one eye on their children in anticipation of having to respond to their needs.  There are a few stretches of time where most of the dancers can focus on their exercises.  Before long, however, Jonathan and Lorena are dancing with Eliza and Sebastian in their arms, and Parker seeks to engage Lauren.
• Lorena changes Sebastian’s diaper and gets his bottle ready while the rest of the group continues the warm-up.
• We see Jonathan’s big ear-to-ear grin again when Lorena offers to hold Eliza so Jonathan can do the exercises full-out.
• The kids are alternately content and fussy.
• Lauren explains that she is in “re-entry” mode as she is returning to teaching dance after a post- baby hiatus.  She looks forward to the Second Story warm-up period as a way to recover her technique and stamina.
• Mindful of Jonathan’s limited rehearsal time today, the group begins with his piece.
• Jonathan works with Mandy on refining leg movements, rhythmic clarifications, and finding musical cues.  Jonathan suggests that Mandy play with adding head rolls and certain upper body movements as he cannot work on them himself while holding Eliza. 
• Lorena joins in briefly while Sebastian is distracted.
• Once Jonathan leaves to pick up Edgar from preschool, Lorena and Mandy work on Lorena’s piece.
• Mandy reviews her solo portion of Lorena’s duet and consults last week’s video for clarifications.
• Lorena creates in her head while listening to the music and finds the rhythm in her feet, all while holding Sebastian.
• Mandy repeatedly runs through a particular segment while Lorena watches.
• Lorena contemplates changing certain movements, so she tests out a few ideas, discarding some and considering others.
• Lorena notes that the musical accent is on the first count of each bar and clarifies particular arm and leg movements.
• With Sebastian in her arms, Lorena works out adjustments in movements and timing in her own body as she dances with Mandy.
• Lorena soon finds it necessary to focus primarily on leg choreography since she is holding Sebastian.
• After a while, Mandy holds Sebastian so Lorena can work out arm movements in her own body.
• Before long, though, Lorena’s ankle injury makes it impossible to dance, so she tries to verbally describe the movements she wants Mandy to execute.
• As Mandy tries out each change, Lorena evaluates whether it works choreographically.
• Lorena tries one more time to make adjustments through dancing while Mandy again holds Sebastian.  But the pain is too great.  Lorena is understandably frustrated and stops trying to change the material.
• Lorena asks Mandy to run through the segment one last time and says she will try to create some material during the week, if time permits.
• Lorena informs the group that a former colleague from her tenure with Rioult may join Second Story with her 18-month old child.

Following the 9th Session

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• As Jonathan reflects on today’s session, he has several realizations:

1. He is now familiar with starting late, leaving early, and how much “cushion” time he has until he must be out the door.  These dynamics don’t “throw” him today as they did last week.
2. He reaffirms that Second Story is about the people and the creation.
3. He is better able to access the “joy and love” that flow from the collaboration.
4. He reminds himself that he doesn’t need to come to rehearsal with a strict agenda.
5. He wants to make sure that the kids are a priority.
6. He recognizes that the work will eventually get done.
7. He tries not to stress about each element of the rehearsals.
8. He fully enjoyed himself today.  In fact, he feels “grateful and blessed.”

• Jonathan discusses with Sherri his desire to “reclaim” the joy he regularly experienced when he was younger.  Sherri notes that the context in which he operated as a child/adolescent/young adult is quite different from his current circumstances.  His life today is far more complex, both internally and externally.  So, the ways in which he accesses and experiences joy today will not be the same.  Plugging in to his core to get information about his needs and inclinations will increase the likelihood of making authentic choices – and deriving a sense of aliveness from those experiences.