Life as a Modern Dancer

Category: Improvisational Practices

  • Movement Poem #23

    zig zag a movement poem for April 6, 2020 by Jill Randall   marble chase Yosemite switchback sumi-e brush painting   back + forth sequentially progressing subtle changes of direction be patient   here, gentle shifts side to side or forward and back head – shoulders – ribs – pelvis – thighs – knees –…

  • 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…

  • Movement Poem #22 (small dance)

      small dance a movement poem for April 5, 2020 by Jill Randall   go smaller less to 20%   one hand two hands torso leg lift walk turn float suspend —— As of late, I have been loving playing with range and size. Small, medium, large. Extra large. Extra small. -Today's music selection is:…

  • 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…

  • Movement Poem #21 (exterior/exit)

    exterior/exit a movement poem for April 4, 2020 by Jill Randall   shiver brush off remove yourself   next page   next chapter   new day, morning   peel yourself off the floor rain boots on zipped up, contained   forward motion   then meander   attempting a new route, for today   To download…

  • Movement Poem #20 (eyes)

    eyes a movement poem for April 3, 2020 by Jill Randall   soft focus taking images in colors surroundings   What is next to me?   Near me?   So far off?   capture in sight one particular thing — I move away from it   another capture — moving towards this point this color…

  • Movement Poem #19 (simplicity)

    simplicity A movement poem for April 2, 2020 by Jill Randall   slow rise slow fall roll strongly stand   rise, fall, roll, stand.   verticality roundness curves, lines, skin, muscles, bones   spiraling swirling emanating inward + outward many directions all at once   To download and print out the poem: Download Simplicity poem…

  • Movement Poem #18 (Seeking a Daydream)

    Seeking a Daydream A movement poem for April 1, 2020 by Jill Randall   I'm floating an endless walk light on feet trampoline jumps   light tap light touch light lift light lean   release of head     hands     knees     ankles   floating     water     air     cloud     over there  …

  • Movement Poem #17 (Bookends)

    Bookends A movement poem for March 31, 2020 by Jill Randall   Big exhale   Whole body yawning   Extended arms   Reaching legs   Spacious ribs, pelvis   Soft focus Soft throat Soft back of the neck, turning   Spacious ribs, pelvis   Reaching legs   Extended arms   Whole body yawning   Big…

  • Movement Poem #16 (Distill)

    Distill A movement poem for March 30, 2020 by Jill Randall   Today's movement puzzle Has 5 words   Yes, there is order & sequence on this page   Paper words sometimes fall short   Please take my offering play try out try on   Any order you like Any duration of your time  …