Prospect

Here is one of the rooms in which I would like to dance/film for Prospect & Refuge. You will see collaborating choreographer/director Doug Lodge at the end of the clip.



I was a bit rabid when talking about it with the dancers at our last rehearsal. I do think they were more excited than frightened, even though I told them I wanted them to jump through a hole in the floor to the level below (roughly a two-story drop). Many ideas, only some will be doable, even fewer of those will work. We shall see what develops!

Joan

Locations

Doug and I scouted a couple locations for Prospect & Refuge while I was in Meadville these past two weeks. I am grateful to Mr. Jones and Mr. Tucker for allowing us to explore the old farm house and factory respectively.

The farm house is falling down, dangerous only if one is not aware of the surroundings, and otherwise totally seductive. The owner told us a few stories about the place and expressed difficulty in having the place torn down...

not because of logistics, but because it is a piece of history and it is difficult being the one responsible for eradicating it. At one time it was a lovely home. It currently sits in a pasture, providing storage for hay and a temptation to passers by. With Mr. Jones' permission, Doug and I gave in to temptation and explored.

I do not think it advisable to actually dance in the house. The structure itself could make for some great footage generally speaking, and the dancers could safely be placed within the structure. I continue to dream.

The factory was absolutely wonderful! There are many spaces that could easily be used for performance (with some rehab). One building in particular struck Doug and we explored it at length. A heart felt Thanks! to Mr. Tucker for giving us a tour, talking to us about the rehabilitation of old factory/warehouse facilities, and allowing us to explore further on our own.

I definitely want to go back to the factory with the dancers. Doug and I are hoping to do so in October when the Company is there to perform MOLT at Allegheny College.

What I found particularly enticing about both spaces is the manner in which nature is reclaiming the sites. In both cases plant life was in relative abundance (all it takes is a little moisture) and animal life had clearly taken up residence (just like the wood chuck in my garage and the skunk under my porch).

Ideas abound in such places and I am indebted to Doug for doing all of the leg work and making arrangements for us to see the spaces. Others were not accessible to us and the hunt continues in PA while, in OH, Antaeus Dance prepares for upcoming appearances in the Playhouse Square Dance Showcase, Tremont Arts & Culture Festival, and CPT's Pandemonium.

Joan

Photos by Joan Meggitt

Dance Intensive Wrap Up

The Allegheny Summer Dance Intensive finished up on Friday. Shanna, Sherri and I had a total of 31 students, up from the usual 16-18. I am so glad that we did not limit attendance to a smaller number. I met a lot of new people, worked again with returning students, and even taught a young man whom I first met when he was 11 (he originated a role in a dance that Holly Labbe Cole and I choreographed in 2001).

One of the wonderful things about Allegheny College is that, from the first (way back in 1988), I became part of a community, versus a class. I hope the incoming/returning students have a similar experience. I appreciate being able to meet the place and the people (what and who they are now) with who I am now. There is certainly a lot of nostalgia connected to the College for me - I began dancing there, I met my husband there, I learned from so many wonderful people who changed my life - but that relationship continues to evolve...so while I continue to dance there, meet my husband there (usually for an Antaeus Dance concert), and learn from great people, it is never the same road twice. For that I am grateful.

Joan

Photo of 2009 Allegheny Summer Dance Participants by Scott Choffel

Allegheny Summer Dance Intensive

The annual Summer Dance Intensive at Allegheny College is moving into its second week. Shanna, Sherri and I have been teaching classes in modern dance technique, improvisation and composition, yoga, and massage. In addition, I am working with nine participants who are learning a piece from my repertory. The dance will be performed at Allegheny College later this year.

There are 28 participants, all of of them energetic and willing to try just about anything we throw at them. When not teaching, I have enjoyed taking classes from Shanna and Sherri.

We are staying with a friend, fellow Alleghenian Scott Choffel, who has kindly opened up his home to us. We are having a delightful time on that front. We are 45 minutes away from the college by bike and have ridden our bikes to and from the studio every other day.

While I'm here I have also been in conversation with Doug Lodge about our new work, Prospect & Refuge. I've opened a huge can of worms...can't wait to dig in! Tomorrow we visit an abandoned farmhouse, a possible location for filming. Later in the week we visit an old factory. Look for photos from those excursions in future posts.

Joan

Antaeus Dance & MorrisonDance in Lincoln Park This Weekend

It's all done but the doing of it. Antaeus Dance had its final company rehearsal last night in preparation for this weekend's concert with MorrisonDance. I must admit to dragging a bit this morning, but I am enjoying moving with Shanna, Marissa and Heather nonetheless.

While we gear up for this concert, Shanna and I have also been preparing for the annual Allegheny Summer Dance Intensive. The enrollment is maxed out and we are looking forward to meeting new students and excited to see some familiar faces as well. I have been leading the intensive since 1999, so I have had the opportunity and the pleasure of seeing many students from the start to the finish of their time at Allegheny.

I have a few applications for venues and grants in the hopper, as well as course materials for my classes at Kent State University. It has been a lovely summer and I am looking forward to a year rich in dance. You will find AD's season to the right, as well as KSU concerts that include my work.

See you in the park!
Joan

Photo of Hidden Dialogue by Scott Radke