During
my time at the training center at iO West, I felt the need to dig in to the
physical aspect of my improvisational work. Of course the training center at iO
didn’t include any physical work as part of its core curriculum. There were the
occasional workshops offered, but not often enough to scratch the itch I was
feeling.
I
remember one day, the morning of the Del Close Awards in 2012, that I had a
dream that I had stage dived from the main stage at the theatre. That night,
after getting done with my intern shift there was a dance and it was
incredible. By that I mean that I couldn’t believe that so many folks had so much
dancing freedom! There were dozens more (maybe most of the attendees) who would
rather schmooze in the bar, but the groove on the dance floor was deep and
everyone was in the pocket. From a Harold nerd’s perspective, what was
happening was essentially a giant group game, moved by the flow of the DJ.
Then
there came the stage dives, and I got to live the dream I’d woken with that
morning.
At
the time I’d imagined working with dancers on an improv comedy form. I’d seen so
many talking heads scenes over the previous few years that I was eager to break
new ground. At Camp Hollywood, an annual swing dance competition that I’ve
attended for over a decade, I’d imagined a way to do a completely improvised
swing dance routine to music that we generated from singing of the audience. To
say that was an ambitious notion would be an understatement, but I knew that
the ideas revolving around improvised dance would need to be realized.
I’ve
taught improvisation for dancers in the Lindy Hop world since the turn of the
century. Most of my exercises were inspired by things I learned in my earlier
days of improvisation. So when I started my level 7 class at iO, during which
our class would workshop an entirely new form, the notions that had been
swelling in my head for months or years were ready to be born. I’d have to save
those ideas for later since our class worked on a great form called The Quark,
but that meant I’d have time to recruit players and a coach and find space for
us all to play!
I
called the form The Stagedive. We rehearsed with coach Stacy Rumaker (and once
with George Caleodis) until I was pulled away from Southern California for
family reasons. We got a good couple of months of practice and what I think
were some good shows under our belts. I was sorry to leave the group behind,
but I was needed in Kansas City.
The
following are the email correspondences I sent to the Stagedive group. I’m
finding it valuable to revisit these ideas because they’re still boiling for
me.
Email
1
Here are some new clips to check out. This week I was interested
in the heightened world of dance:
Black Coffee
This metaphor is pretty much on the nose.
Step Up 3 - Red Hook
http://youtu.be/Tistx28WpJU
Another video of two tribes. Seems like a common theme in dance movies.
Adriano Celentano - Prisencolen...
I can't even explain this one. I find it infectious.
I've got tons more clips, but just three for now. Thanks a ton for your time!
Email
2
Hey y'all,
There's a lot to say about what music means for a dancer. I've got
some links here which you may interesting or may seem pretty heady. If you find
your brain pounding then I advise you to put the reading down. We'll explore
musicality more in rehearsal this week.
In the follow-up email, I'll have an exercise for you to try and
more videos for that "ooh, pretty" feeling.
So, musicality... In the sense that I'm bringing up
here, let's consider the word a few ways. How does a dancer feel
music? How then can the dancer use those feelings to find movement? And
eventually how does this work with a group? How do a group of surfers ride the
same wave?
The first link is from my dance blog. These are all the links that
specifically relate to musicality.
http://lindygroovetechnique.blogspot.com/search/label/Musicality?m=0
The next link is from Swungover. It's an interview with a deaf
dancer named Tim Vail. There's a lot about how music moves a person who can't
use their ears to hear it.
http://swungover.wordpress.com/2011/08/16/interview-with-tim-vail-deaf-lindy-hopper/
I followed the included links yesterday. One of those that hits me
really hard is the link to "Whip My Hands," video by Adrean Clark.
When I first watched this I wanted to hear the music she danced
to. Then I thought "oh..."
This could get pretty deep. If you have any questions I welcome
them! Thanks for your time.
Email
3
One of the things I've been considering lately is the way I listen
to music. We talked about lyrics in rehearsal last weekend and I remember that
for me lyrics are usually the last thing that hit. Usually I don't hear lyrics
until the second or third time through and usually only remember them if
they're exceptionally clever or bold enough to stick in my head. For me music
is usually what's underneath the words. For me a singer's voice is one
instrument among many.
Maybe it wasn't always that way for me. I remember in a dance
class at the Edge years back, when the instructor stopped us cold. He told us
to stop counting (bear in mind I haven't asked us to start counting) and listen to the music. He asked us to pick out
one instrument and dance to that. That minute's worth of work was a crucial one
for me! So I'd like for you to have a similar experience.
Here's a song from Lake Street Dive:
Clear a Space
Here's the exercise:
1) Listen to the song. Please don't read parts 2 forward until
after you've heard the song once.
****
****
****
****
****
2) Listen to the song again. This time pick out the BASS - It's
fairly prominent in the song.
3) Once you've found the bass, hum along with it. Try to make the
same sounds you hear. If you're sensitive to which parts of your body vibrates
when you sing then make note but there's no pressure to think on that much. If
you don't notice anything them just hum along for now.
4) Dance to the bass-line. It might just be a simple foot tapping.
A head bop counts as dancing in my book! Whatever feels like moving, let it
move.
5) Listen to the song again picking out a different instrument.
There are only four instruments total including the singer. Sing along and
dance with that instrument.
6) Try the exercise again with a song of your choice!
Questions: Where in your body does
music turn into dancing? How is
listening in this way similar or different from the kind of listening you use
in the world or onstage?
The exercise above is a musical exploration of sensitivity to tone. Later we'll explore how structure works in songs and how we can
become more sensitive to that as dancers and as players.
I promised videos. Here are some videos!
Videos
*Jammin'
the Blues
This
is one of my favorite jazz clips, shot by one of my favorite photographers,
Gjon Mili. It's a good transition in the discussion of music and dancing.
*Amelia
- Lalala Human Steps
I've
lost count how many times I've watched this. I find it completely hypnotic.
This is the first section of a longer feature film from Lalala Human Steps.
*Weightless
- Erika Janunger
Man,
I don't know what this is but it's gorgeous.
Okay, that's plenty of stuff. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks for your time!
Email
4
Great rehearsal last weekend! Aw man, I have to give it up to
Kelsey McCowan for coming in to teach for the first hour! I've been working on
that tap section. And I have to thank you all for just playing your asses off!
This week I'll be teaching a Lindy Hop lesson. We're going to
learn the roles of lead and follow and build some ideas about what that means
in partnership. Since we're a little gender-uneven I'll be inviting some extra
ladies to join us for that first hour. If you know anyone who'd like a free
lesson please send me a line!
We'll be guest coached this weekend by George Caleodis, alumnus of
the Second City mainstage and a man who performs with at least 12 Harold teams
each week. I'm excited for him to work with us!
Some related READING -
USS Rock 'n Roll - Dance Lessons part 1 & 2
http://ussrocknroll.com/?p=6907
http://ussrocknroll.com/?p=6911
RockStepTriple - Lindy Hop vs. Improv Comedy
http://rocksteptriple.wordpress.com/2012/02/17/lindy-hop-vs-improv-comedy/
A slew of VIDEOS -
Groovie Movie
Fifteen years ago this movie changed my life. Most of my basic
philosophy of life can be found here.
Hellzapoppin'
This is one of the most memorable scenes from an ahead of its time
sketch comedy film.
I Love Lucy - from Lucy Gets an Eye Exam
http://youtu.be/frLNbUWG524 (*unfortunately now removed from YouTube*)
Lucy danced with one of my heroes from the Groovie Movie, Arthur
Walsh
Living it Up - Jerry Lewis & Dean Martin
Jerry Lewis backed up by some of southern Californias legendary
swing dancers.
The Retro Kids Show - Everybody Eats When They Come to My House
Hey, I'm in this one!
Okay, that's plenty for now. Send a line if you have any
questions. Thanks for your time!
Email
5
Just one video today - Bobby McFerrin
I'd love to play an audience like he does.
