Study 349

The Spiel Uhr show on Oct 18/19 went quite well. We got lots of great feedback on 'Study 349' – "interesting use of character and abstraction" – and the dancers seemed to enjoy themselves. This is the project on Flow theory that I've been working on and in this phase I was able to introduce some methods like repetitive movement and Viewpoints. Unfortunately our rehearsal period was so short that we hardly scratched the surface. In some ways it boiled down to standard rehearsals – shaping choreography, getting the details, etc.. So I'd like to get back into the studio with the dancers and really have an extended lab around the Flow state.

photo by Bill Hebert. dancers: Jodi Obeid and Sara Narva

The Next Project

I'm working on a new project wherein I, with Ring dancers, am investigating Flow Theory. Flow is the state of consciousness that is achieved through a practice of total attention and absorption in an activity. Major research was conducted on Flow Theory by Professor Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi and later published for the layperson in his book, Flow: the Psychology of Optimal Experience. It is from this book that I will be basing my experiments on the intersection of the choreographic process and the Flow state.

I have two methods for entering this state and am relying on the group process and feedback at each rehearsal to modify add or delete any aspects of these. The first is Viewpoints which is a technique of improvisation that provides a vocabulary for thinking about and creating movement for the stage. Viewpoints separates the various components of stage action into nine categories: spatial relationship, tempo, kinesthetic response, shape, duration, gesture, repetition, architecture and topography. The practitioner is to stay aware of what category he/she is operating in in any given moment. Thus it is an exercise for mental clarity.

The other method is a movement score involving the extended repetition of a Qi Qong movement. I call this the Swing Score and it is one simple movement performed right and left for 15-20 minutes as a kind of meditation. The repetition activates a different part of the brain, taking us out of analytical thinking and putting us into a calm, receptive presence.

I'm relying on these two methods to bring us into a Flow state from which we will generate and shape movement material into a new piece which I am currently calling "Out of Play". We will be performing the first draft of this as guests at Group Motion's concert, Spiel Uhr, at the Community Education Center, October 18-19.

Michelle Stortz/Ring Dance Theater

photo by Wolfgang Bellwinkel

I've just created this performance company, Ring Dance Theater. I'm using the word 'ring' because I like the image of the circle especially when it applies to a group of people coming together for a common purpose like making dance and theater art. Ring also refers to sound and sound waves rippling out into the world. I like to think that what we create in the studio and on the stage sends out positive, inspirational, groovy, thought-provoking, sexy and robust ripples into the cosmos.

Our premier performance, 'Dissaray', will be in this year's Philly Fringe. We'll be at the Tower Gallery in Northern Liberties, on September 5th and 6th, 6pm. Dancers include: Karin Bookbinder, Lindsay Browning and Erin Foreman-Murray. We're sharing the bill with NYC's Tindance, directed by Kristin Hapke. More info soon.