TECHNIQUE. IMPROVISATION. INTERPRETATION.
November 23 – 25, 2012
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. – Technique class
12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. – Improvisation
3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. – Coaching
Dovehouse Dance Ballroom
Dovercourt House, 2nd floor, 805 Dovercourt Road
Full price $235 • Early bird $118 to $212
Register by contacting: atc@series808.ca
This workshop is open to all professional and pre-professional dance artists.
Technique class:
Marc Boivin offers a comprehensive contemporary dance class composed from the pedagogical material of the Limón technique and some principals of ballet. Using the traditional progression of a center class, the dancer is challenged to develop an equilibrium between strength and the free released weight of momentum; the clarity of impulse within, and the outward relationship to space through form and focus. In the process, technique is defined as the appropriation of tools in order to physically articulate the artistic contribution of the dancer through her/his choices.
Through the technical work participants focus on understanding and articulating the mechanics of movement within their own physical systems, as well, in relation to the science of this chosen traditional and contemporary work. The work has many purposes among which:
- The safety and health of the body as it is developed beyond it’s daily use to a higher level of efficiency and expressivity;
- The understanding of a personal physical system inherent to our dancing, something to be first accepted, then challenged and developed;
- The appropriation of a mode of expression in all its parameters;
- An expanded range of possibilities and a higher sensitivity through a heightened vitality within the body.
Improvisation (with a focus on interpretation elements):
- How are the body and the mind of the dancer prepared for the creative process and set on stage?
- How best can perspective and sensitivity be translated into a kinaesthetic experience?
- What are the performance tools of the interpreter/improviser?
Through a series of improvisation exercises drawn from various sources the dancer is called upon to investigate his/her performing choices and the possibilities that present themselves more and more. As these options are investigated, the process of artistic contribution of the performer in the creative process is examined, either for improvisational or choreographic contexts.
Coaching class:
Using repertory from previous works by Boivin and a document originally written for the EDAM summer intensive the participants will be led through an analysis of concepts and ideas relating to both the technical and the interpretative work of the dancer. This coaching session will be used to generate an exchange between dancers on both concrete, physical notions as well as conceptual and imagery based ideas, all leading to articulating the art that is specific to the role of the dancer, in class, in the studio, on stage.
Dancers are welcomed to participate in one or all three daily sessions. It is possible to attend one session without having done the preceding however continuity during the week is encouraged as links are drawn between each of the three sessions.
Dancer, improviser, teacher and choreographer, Marc Boivin began his dance career at Le Groupe de la Place Royale in Ottawa under the directorship of Peter Boneham and in 1985 joined Ginette Laurin and her newly formed company O Vertigo Danse. Since 1991 he has worked as an independent dancer, performing mainly for Louise Bédard, Sylvain Emard, Jean-Pierre Perreault, Catherine Tardif, Tedd Robinson and most recently in some of his own works, R.A.F.T. 70 and Impact. Affiliated with L’école de danse contemporaine de Montréal since 1987 Boivin regularly guest teaches and choreographs in schools and professional organizations across Canada. He has been president of the Fondation Jean-Pierre Perreault since 2006, president of the RQD (Regroupement québécois de la danse) since October 2010 and sat on the board of the Montreal Arts Council from 2005 to 2010.
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