Life as a Modern Dancer

Category: Blog Series: “Why improv?”

  • Blog Series: “Why improv?” (with Bhumi B Patel)

    Photo: Shinichi Iova-Koga  finding tiny freedoms By Bhumi B Patel I often begin my studio time by pulling a tarot card to guide my improvised practice – the deck depends on the day, but there are three that are in my rotation. Sure, I have prompts, parameters, progressions that I am interested in, but the…

  • Blog Series: “Why improv?” (with Mitsuko Clarke-Verdery)

    Photo: Jeremiah Cumberbatch   Improvisation as Sustainability By Mitsuko Clarke-Verdery   I was introduced to Jazz in Pittsburgh, at the late CJs Lounge thanks to an old partner of mine. Every Thursday night, committed local Jazz lovers would turn out to hear some incredible musicians perform. It was such a vibrant community of people, energy,…

  • Blog Series: “Why improv?” (with Molly Rose-Williams)

    Molly Rose-Williams. Photo by Matt Haber. Improvising in Practice:  reflections from my workshop with Jesse Zaritt in a time of COVID-19 By Molly Rose-Williams   In January, I attended a week-long workshop with Jesse Zaritt. The workshop was part of the FRESH Festival, an annual meeting for dance and creative exchange produced by ALTERNATIVA (dance…

  • Blog Series: “Why improv?” (with Audrey Johnson)

    Audrey Johnson. Photo by Houssam Mchaimech from “towards.” 6 improvisation scores (or, archives of making a solo through improvisational process) by Audrey Johnson   1. I walk into the studio. (I have been here before.) Mirrors confirm my here-ness: cue a two hour duet with myself. (rehearsal)   2. You may take this as a…

  • Blog Series: “Why improv?” (with Molly Heller)

    Heartland Collective. Molly Heller, center. Photo by Hillary Goidell.   FINDING (HEART): Practices in Improvisation (& Practices in Improvisational Writing) By Molly Heller   (watching) Self: Sometimes improvisation is an opener, and often it requires that I push back. It is a way of life. No fixed point or arrival, always FINDING. Offering permission (s)…

  • Blog Series: “Why improv?” (with Melecio Estrella)

    Melecio Estrella. Photo by Jessica Swanson.   Where We Find Ourselves Memories of Improvisations  By Melecio Estrella   1998 Physically negotiating and communicating through touch, weight grounded in our feet, spines are organized, leg power recruited to do the heavy lifting, hands gripping metal and plastic… It takes six of us to get the generator,…

  • Blog Series: “Why improv?” (with Ellen Slatkin)

    Ellen Slatkin. Photo by Robert Flynt (Brussels 2019).   Rigor + Anarchy in Improvisation By Ellen Slatkin   I’ll start with a couple of relevant definitions. I think a lot gets lost in translation when we talk about improvisation because we’re not clear about what we’re referring to. When I use the word “improvisation,” I…

  • Launching a New Blog Series: “Why improv?”

    Jill Randall. Photo by Tony Nguyen. Even before Shelter in Place, improvisational practices have been on my mind this year and a big curiosity as of late. This week, I am thrilled to share essays and musings from around the globe. We will hear from Ellen Slatkin, Anya Clarke and Mitsuko Verdery of MICHIYAYA, Melecio…