Stay On Your Toes
WEEK ONE:
The Evening of Dance has been an event at Keene State College for years, and this year things are a bit different. The passion and entertainment are the same, but have you ever tried to the social distance while dancing? It is not meant to be a distanced activity, let alone with masks on. Cynthia, the choreographer, and her dancers turn this setback and mold it into part of their piece. The storyline includes meaningful messages that bring together the strength and persistence we have experienced over the past year in a matter of minutes.
I was lucky enough to have been able to speak to Cynthia McLaughlin and discuss some inspiration and history behind the thought process of her piece. The theme of this production as a whole is RE(MEMBER). Such a fascinating title and something to ponder over while watching the performance. Cynthia explained how her piece was about the mind and body disconnection and connection. Giving our audience a complimenting contrast of a blend of emotions. It’s no secret COVID-19 has given the arts a huge setback, but for Cynthia, she is using it to her advantage, but don’t take my word for it go see it yourself!
The dancers did a lot of improvisation to spark different emotions and movements for the pieces. They were given different props to represent different playground toys to connect to their imagination from their childhood. It was so interesting to watch them use these two simple props to move and manipulate them to their advantage. The rope was used by many of the dancers as a way to represent a relationship between two people, and each one I saw had a different story just based on a single step. It is incredible to see what performers can create just by their imagination, and how they differ and complement one another.
After the improvisation, I had the pleasure to be able to see some of the pieces in progress for their rehearsal. The dancers move so swiftly and beautifully together, as a writer sometimes I even got distracted from taking my notes. Honestly, the dancers spoke for themselves, something I can’t capture on paper. When the dancers would transition into the next song I was able to see how smoothly their emotions, facial expressions, and embodiment changes just based on lyrics and rhythm. It reminded me as well how they had to do this during COVID-19, and how well they adapted to it for the sake of their art. A true passion that I cannot show in just my own words, so I was able to get a few of their opinions on it.
“Touching each other is such a big part of the dance and not having that is harder to get used to” -Analisa Palla
“It’s hard but after a while but you adapt to it, the masks are restricting but you get used to it after a while, you get to find connections in different ways” -Rachell Gamache
WEEK TWO:
March 3, 2021:
Today the dancers started by stretching beforehand with another conversation to explore the thoughts of the dancers to be used within the pieces. Since these dancers are students they needed to find a way to transition into dancing from school, just like anybody else does during transitioning from anything to another. It was interesting to be able to see how performers are just like anybody else. Especially coming from my perspective as a performer I understood the importance of taking a second and stretching to efficiently proceed to the rehearsal process in a healthy way.
After this, the dancers shared stories about vulnerability, including myself as well. I think this was not only helpful to the dancers but also to myself. I was able to be vulnerable with these dancers and they were able to be more vulnerable with me. This made it easier to observe and connect to what they are feeling or presenting during the piece or exercises.
As the rehearsal progressed I was able to see how the different lyrics and rhythms brought out different emotions and body languages from the dancers. It is so interesting being on the floor level during the pieces. It is a whole new perspective on the piece or exercise being done. Especially being able to see everyone at once. I am able to compare and contrast their motions and movements as well as see what compliments one another just by accidental chance.
I thoroughly believe being able to share that perspective of being on both sides of things will benefit everyone reading. It truly is a different experience behind the curtain or in the front row, which is an uncommon perspective. As a writer, I believe this can help make connections to the writing piece and performance piece and will create deeper connections between myself and the dancers.
I thoroughly enjoyed that each dancer took “exchanging energy” in their own unique form. Some even mimicked one another and others used each other to contradict each other’s movements and almost find a solution purely through thoughts and emotions through their movement choices. These then turned into short pieces focusing on transitioning movement and then teaching them to the other dancers. Watching them teach one another their own pieces was so intriguing and I think I even learned some of them. It was a great way to watch them expand their dancing abilities through one another, and progress as a whole.
WEEK THREE:
After this conversation, Cynthia had the dancers start a new exercise. As someone watching this exercise, it was very interesting and intriguing. Cynthia had the dancers use their belongings as an offering. They were able to place them wherever and however they wanted Although, this seemed like a simple task. I think it was a very intuitive task to make connections between yourself and the people around you. Everyone used their items and positioned them in their ways, none of them the same. Then the dancers had to switch to visit the other people’s offerings and how they connected to them through their ways of motion, which I think brought every message and learning experience in this exercise full circle.
The dancers then went right back into their piece they were learning. It is so interesting seeing them go right back into it. It is almost as if there was no time lapse in between, they just pick up right where they left off. Along with this, the dancers learned a new piece. This piece was so interesting to observe because it consisted of movements that were different from each dancer, but complemented everyone in the same way. In some sections of the dance, the dancers were completely still while some were moving, creating an interesting effect for a viewing perspective. For some of the sections of the dance they were in a straight line and it looked similar to a domino effect. Every other dance I have seen the dancers were completely in sync so this was a fresh way of looking at the pieces. I thought it worked well, especially bringing the dancers back in sync at one point. It was a successful change and brought more attention to the dancers as a whole and individually!
WEEK FOUR:
Another week, another rehearsal leading up to this breathtaking production! This rehearsal started out with some stretches like usual with some stretching and light conversation. We were all able to see the set as a group, including me. Seeing the set made it all come together with the pieces and movement, along with it from a viewing perspective. The first exercise for today started on the floor and the dancers gradually made their way up. Each dancer had the same task but was totally different. Although, I did notice a lot more movement from the legs than the arms. It almost seemed like a comfort zone because the dancers knew that legs would support them. This being said there were some different ways some dancers used, this included using their feet almost to lift themselves into a floating position and arms to push themselves up gradually. Each dancer using their own bodies in their own specific ways to complete this task. It was incredible how such a simple task can be sculpted into something completely different by each individual.
After this, the dancers went back to their own little pieces that they taught one another. I was able to see them do it so much faster and filled with more passion and confidence. It was so interesting to see such a change from when they first started to now and how I was specifically able to experience that. Cynthia then put the dancers in a line instead of in various spread-out places. Being able to see all of the dancers lined up in a line doing the same dance movement was so visually pleasing and the dance and motions looked so crisp. You could distinctly tell that their energy was being fed off one another in this line of continuous motions.
Today Cynthia showed the dancers and me the same song we have heard for weeks now, except with a twist. We were able to hear this song in a different key change. You could tell the dancers were intrigued, as was I. This was such an interesting change from hearing it in a completely different key throughout this process. The dancers also applied their own created little pieces that were used throughout this rehearsal process to this song. The way the dances coincided with one another through their different movements and purposes was absolutely mesmerizing to be able to experience.
I was able to see so much growth this week in so many different forms. Not only in the movement but the confidence of the dancers. They know a lot more than they did last week or the week before and it shows in their passion and choices. This leads me to be able to see more of Cynthia’s relationship to the dancers and her piece this week, which I thought was a beautiful connection. I was able to see Cynthia’s purpose of this piece shining through these dancers. You could clearly see old connections as well as new ones forming. As a group, they are very serious but know when and how to laugh and have a good time which I thought really defined their relationships as a whole.
WEEK FIVE:
Today consisted of the very first costume try on. It felt a bit surreal seeing clothes to match the music. Rachell and Analisa were the models of these costumes which was so interesting to observe. These costumes were a bit larger on the dancers, which was comical to see after seeing them dancing gracefully with a delicate body every week. Rachell was very upset to notice that the pockets were indeed fake, but still excited for what was to come next.
Cynthia had the dancers transition into their familiar improvisation exercise to use the props given and their own imagination throughout the dance floor. We were all able to experience the rhythm and groovy tone of the song Cynthia showed us all and the dancers swayed to the song. They began switching the bottom of their feet so their heels lifted off the ground and moved them in a patterned motion flowing gently into the repetitive movements.
Cynthia explained to feel something nourishing and compared it to water. She then discussed how this does not mean the same for everyone. This then began a chain of a variety of different movements. I noticed a lot of use of the shoulders in the beginning. This was a jolting motion causing the arms to flail a bit, almost giving this ocean wave effect as I observed all of their arms in the air at once. Grace Lonergan was very focused on her relationship to the sky and her finger. She stayed up there a while repeating the same motions, but slightly changed the way her body moved. Samantha Parks used more of her body as a whole but still established her relationship to the sky with herself. She used her body by using different positions in her relationship to the sky and what that meant to her. The dancers then eventually made their way to the floor and began using their whole body. I could see everyone became less tense as well, and their motions showed that their body felt increasingly lighter and less restricted. It was incredible to see what each dancer came up with and what their body expressed through this exercise.
The piece then shifted to the dancer’s devotional piece. Each of them took the time to refresh their memory. Rachell and Grace spent some quick time and quickly recalled their muscle memory together, to make sure each movement matched. Cynthia then spent some one-on-one time with Samantha Witham and I was able to observe her repeating Cynthia’s movements. Each movement was so smooth and confident and in sync. It was like watching a mirror effect from the choreographer to the dancer.
As the dancers went further into this process we were able to see the variety of movements and emotions Cynthia included. I especially noticed Rachell and her relationship to the imagination of her own emotion in each movement she took. Using her fingers to hold these imaginary pieces of string that connected to her body. She continued this to make her joints move gently to the rhythm. Although I could not physically see her face and what she was emoting, I could feel the emotion and passion she was putting into it.
The dancers then began to learn a new dance and caught on so quickly as usual. I was able to see this mix of gentle but powerful movements. The knees were a softer tension as well as the delicate positioning of the fingers. Their toes were used as support but also a dainty point to add to these new movements. The dancers also learned a movement that consisted of a lot of balance. They had to maintain their weight as they swayed and kept the balance in the soles of their feet while their arms swayed back and forth without being too tense. After this, though they had to let all of that balance go and fall into another dance move while making sure not to fall. It was intriguing to watch the relationship between the balanced and unbalanced human body. Cynthia continued to teach the dance as her dancers followed, they learned a lot of new movement in such a little time span. Cynthia and the dancers have such an amazing relationship and they always shock me how quickly and efficiently they are able to get what needs to be done completed. It is inspiring to see what a productive and passionate ensemble they have all created.
WEEK SIX:
This week I really wanted to focus on the process as a whole. As well as taking a second to have a "fresh eye" for this whole experience. I am a firm believer in approaching art in intervals to be able to have an open mind and new perspective each time. I thought this was a great time for a personal reflection of this experience as a whole. During this experience I was able to bond with the dancers and Cynthia through deep conversations and interactions. I was even able to bond between the unspoken words in some of the pieces. Sitting and watching these pieces come to life some of them really spoke to me as a person and emotionally resonated. Some of the pieces the music really connected to the steps. This even happened during pieces that were just exercises or songs not necessarily used in the final product. One of these was the movements and lyrics of the song Butterflies by Jacob Collier. I thought the song was so soothing and beautiful and really represented love shining through in the mysterious rhythm and tone of the song. I was absolutely mesmerized by what the dancers felt to this song, and I could see it in Cynthia as well!
Not only was I able to create experiences in the dance studio through the songs, movements, and people but I was able to explore my blog through my own perspective. This blog has been such an amazing experience being able to explore different styles and tones of writing that fits me as a writer as well as the dancers and Cynthia as people. It is all a work in progress, but it has come a long way. Just like the dancer. We are all on our own journey and I hope all of you readers continue to explore it with us. Please comment if you want to see anything on the blog specifically. I would love to try new things and provide you with new discoveries and art throughout this blog!
WEEK SIX:
A fresh new atmosphere for this week’s rehearsal as the dancers use the main stage for their rehearsal this week! The dancers began this rehearsal by starting in their godly poses that they were working on two weeks ago. Samantha Parks looked so graceful and gentle approach to the piece. Her body looked like it fell naturally into this pose. The other dancers also looked very graceful as well. Grace was actually out of my view from where I was but she looked so relaxed and light that my eye was caught by her posture as well. Transiting into what needed to be done today, I was able to see more of Cynthia teaching the dancers today. It was very nice to be able to see this after watching just the dancers for so long since they are all so much further in this process. I was able to see their relationships as an ensemble and choreographer and dancer much more clearly.
Cynthia and the dancers started to continue to a piece that I was able to see a lot of two weeks ago. They started with Grace’s solo and worked from there. In Grace’s solo, she uses her arms a lot to guide her through the solo as a whole. From there the dancers meet together using their own arms to guide them into an invisible connection of their energies between one another and their fingertips. Then the dancers and Cynthia formed a circular gathering where they each did the same moves but in different directions and perspectives. Lindsay and Grace were in the front for all of this so I was able to see the dancers from the front and back and it formed this special dimension in the piece. Originally Cynthia had them opposite but then she decided to make them the same and it made an interesting effect from where each dancer was placed and how they fit into the piece. One dance movement inspired me greatly. In one of the parts, the dancers had this motion of digging their feet into the floor as if they were running but they were not going anywhere but they continued running. It gave me a feeling of inspiration especially during the pandemic and how we all persist through.
Continuing with this motion of digging their feet into the floor I was able to see how the dancers transitioned into such graceful movements into a more jolted aspect. One of these included a graceful spin into an aggressive shoulder release to the ground. I was able to see Grace and Annalisa and their beautiful light footing and have it turn into this giant release of tension to the floor. The entirety of the movement ended in this light bouncing motion directed with the shoulders and embodied throughout the entire body. It was a beautiful blend of different parts of the body coming together as one. I was also able to see Samantha P’s solo and it was beautiful how the other dancers orbited her but she was able to stay prominent. Her movements were quick and she transitioned her body delicately. She would have her arms in the air at one moment and then down to the floor at another. She was in a constant state of motion throughout her solo and gently transitioned into each section and each new part of her body being used.
This process continued as the dancers repeated this dance to be able to perfect it with the music accompanying it as well. The rehearsal concluded by going over everything they had learned or went over this week. The dancers practiced on the wings of the stage until it was their turn to go on stage and it really reflected on the hard work they had put in. It was intriguing to see the dances I have seen for weeks now and how far they have come. I cannot wait to be able to experience more growth and improvement firsthand!
WEEK SEVEN:
This week was a little different. I had to watch the dancers from a recorded rehearsal and observe through a screen. Although it was similar to the rest of my life and how COVID has changed how we view things, it was not the same as seeing these dancers in person and feeling their passion and energy. Every rehearsal I feel completely invested and a part of everything happening, especially since I am observing at the safest and closest distance and being able to hear their breath and see their facial expression. It is something a simple electronic cannot capture. Nonetheless, the dancers still gave an amazing performance that I was able to still be a part of while experiencing it from my home.
In the first piece, I noticed right away how Cynthia split the dancers into groups of 2 at a time. This was so intriguing to watch them switch off with different movements while switching at the same speed and rhythms. Lindsay used her body in a vigorous but also controlled way to capture these movements. I noticed her smooth transitions from her shoulders to her normal posture as she walked off the stage. Although I enjoyed watching the dancers thrive in their ways I always enjoyed watching them as a group, even while they each did a different dance move. They all compliment each other so beautifully with different levels and positions. During all of this, I noticed Samantha Parks pointed toes from each transition. I was so impressed by her way of jolted movements into graceful delicate pointed toes. Overall I enjoyed this piece. Especially how it was broken into groups, individuals, and the whole ensemble and how the placements of the dancers shifted together so well with one another.
I was intrigued by the movements of Lindsay and Grace and how their arms swayed in opposite waves of each other while the front dancer was centered. It created a beautiful effect for the audience. The opposite movements forming into in-sync movements was such a beautiful transition and the dancers blended well with one another. I also noticed how the dance started as a two to one ratio and eventually became the three of them together. Not only was this visually pleasing to see I also think it had some great messages to it as well especially pertaining to the world as a whole in this pandemic.
The last three pieces were very focused on the dancers as individuals. Yes, they did end up in sync at times but each one stood out to me in their own ways. Especially in the parts of their pieces that consisted of all of them as an ensemble. The beginning of one of the pieces where Samantha Parks, Samantha Witham, and Annalisa all were stepping backward in different periods looked like each dancer was telling their own story, and this continued as the piece continued and other pieces were introduced. I loved the concept of adding new faces to the pieces. Some of the dancers were turned around so their bodies were known on stage but the faces were not shown, which gave a mystery aspect that the audience was able to have revealed later. The dancers then did a domino effect of repetition slowly after one another starting with Annalisa in the front starting it and Grace ending it. These motions consisted of all different levels, movements, and body parts used. One of the motions was a bent arm and bent knee slowly leaning and another one was the dancers' knees bent in a sitting position while their arms reached out to touch the floor. This captured the diversity and different components of this piece.
Overall this week’s progress was phenomenal, although I wasn't able to see it in person. Watching the dancers perform each week amazes me with their progress and devotion. Especially when I see new pieces that the dancers have already learned before I even knew they existed. Although watching the videos was a different experience I was still able to get a lot from it. Unlike in person, I was able to rewind to look at the dancers' faces, movements, and to observe what just happened and put it into words as best as I can!
WEEK EIGHT :
Rehearsal started today with a lot of energy in sporadic conversations throughout the group, immediately I was excited to watch that transform into their work on stage. The rehearsal then transitioned to a more organized group discussion led by Cynthia discussing some of the tasks needing to be done today as well as having a productive conversation on the previous rehearsal.
The dancers were introduced to a new prop today which was a large orange TV with a blue outline surrounding the resembling screen. Grace practiced putting it on and off and the other dancers, Cynthia, and I were quite amused. It was so interesting being able to see the piece and everything I have read about it thus far coming to life. I was aware of the TV head concept but seeing it physically in person brought everything full circle. Right from the beginning of this rehearsal, I was able to see the clear relationship between Samantha Witham and Grace as they began this part of the piece. Their arms were slightly bent but being graceful as they pointed their elbows at the floor in opposite directions of one another.
As we began the full run of the show it was so interesting to see the group walk out on stage to the transition of Samantha Witham by herself on her knees on the ground. This image was impeccable, but yet so simple. Samantha was on her knees with little to no movement at first and then slowly started using her back muscles to the audience as a form of movement which then turned into different hand motions but still no face. The movements started to become more violent and then became calm as she transitioned into the full group of dancers with an in-sync piece. Then this designed teal, yellow, and orange piece came down over the dancers' heads completely covering their faces and being able to see nothing but their torso.
Once this large prop piece was lifted away from the stage the dancers' faces were revealed but they positioned themselves on the floor. Continuing with this they each went into their solos and then I was able to see Grace and Samantha Witham’s relationship come back in during the song again as they both used their arms and hands opposite of one another and transitioned back into their domino effect portion of the piece. As well, as again after when they motioned their hands and heads to take out each other’s brains. This relationship continued throughout the whole show, which was something very beautiful to be aware of and keep coming back to as the audience.
Another prop introduced was a large wood plank on wheels that carried out Rachell, Lindsay, and Samantha Witham. This was such a unique look because each dancer had a different position on this piece of wood and then it transitioned into Grace wearing the TV monitor and then slowly removing it from her body and dragging it off stage, and transitioning into her solo. Sounds difficult? Imagine doing it in heels!
I was able to watch some of the pieces while hearing Cynthia speak about all of the important quick calls that needed to take place. It was such a complex experience to be able to experience the show while hearing about all of the technical and backstage conversations as it was happening. I felt a part of the process and almost like I was getting a backstage and front row experience all in one! Knowing even more was going to appear on stage other than what is there right now along with costumes, makes me so intrigued to see how the set will progress and how that will affect the pieces and dancers. I am excited to see it all come together, especially being able to see the prop covering their faces today.
WEEK NINE :
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