How to Watch Contemporary Dance by Entering Through the Stage Door

​With the myriad of forms and styles of dance these days, watching dance may feel alienating. Are you one of those people who feel you don’t “understand” dance? In this Olio, we will demystify the art form not only through lecture and video watching, but also by making dances ourselves. Don’t worry! You don’t have to have any dance experience or even be in particularly good shape. As long you don’t mind taking your shoes off, you are good to go. Once you learn a few ways to manipulate physical movement into a structured form or two, you will find watching dance more accessible and enjoyable.

Choreographer and master teacher Nicole Pierce will lead short improvisational exercises to generate, see, and define movement. We will then use this movement to compose “mini dances.” By focusing your eye on detail and nuance, you will find that movement and dance is everywhere – on the street, in the grocery store, even in your own kitchen. After making a few dances ourselves we will then sit down for lecture, video watching and discussion.

Video footage will span centuries starting with classical ballet and then working chronologically by touching on the modern dance pioneers such as Isadora Duncan and Martha Graham. From there we will look at the work of Merce Cunningham and the Judson Church Movement and conclude with footage from choreographers alive and well and working today. The whole Olio experience will last three hours.