Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Buckle up!

Today is our last rehearsal. Today we will finish the dance. March will be spent preparing for other projects; and in April we return to MOLT and prepare for its premiere. The dance is finally starting to make sense to me and I have so many ideas that I think, perhaps, there are several additional dances in the making. Heartfelt thanks go to Amy Notley for helping to bring everything in to focus!

Even though we have had an extremely gracious period of time with which to create MOLT, I am still finding the last bits and pieces of choreography difficult to complete. One of two things tends to happen for me at this point in the process: 1) I show a clear-sightedness and focus that carries me resolutely to the conclusion; or 2) I experience a combination of extreme nervousness and excitement that prevents me from thinking clearly (even though everything that I need is directly in front of me), language and the ability to move with any coherence escapes me, and the dancers buckle up for the ride. My hope, of course, if for the former; but I have been living with the nervous energy of the latter for the better part of a week now. Best to buckle up ladies!

Much of the clear-sightedness of which I speak is really the dancers beginning to make sense of the work, as a whole and in the connections that I see them making between one another. In watching them make choices I am enlightened.

I look forward to this evening's work with great anticipation.

Joan


MOLT photo by Scott Radke: Jenita hugs Shanna

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

This Just In!

Artist James Longs delivered the first installation of the MOLT set: a big chair. It measures about nine feet in height and has enough room on the seat for the entire cast. This evening the dancers explored the possibilities!

Pictured: Marissa in the big chair

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Solos Feature: Shanna Sheline

Read Donald Rosenberg's article in today's Plain Dealer Arts about Shanna Sheline, a founding member of Antaeus Dance who will be performing in the Company's April 30 - May 3 premiere of MOLT at Cleveland Public Theatre / Dance Works 09.

See video by Lonnie Timmons III of Shanna Sheline, featuring new music by Greg D'Alessio.

MOLT photo by Bob Christy: Shanna