Dance Improvisation Workshop

Kirstie Simson
Michael Schumacher
Monday 14th – Friday 18th May 2012
The Universal Hall, Findhorn

Two of the world’s most inspirational and generous dance improvisors

Kirstie Simson: Improvisation and Listening(10am – 12.30pm)

Kirstie Simson has been a continuous explosion in the contemporary dance scene, bringing audiences into contact with the vitality of pure creation in moment after moment of virtuoso improvisation. Called “a force of nature” by the New York Times, she is an award-winning dancer and teacher who has “immeasurably enriched and expanded the boundaries of New Dance” (Time Out Magazine, London).

Classes draw from Kirstie’s knowledge of contact improvisation, dance techniques, Aikido and her extensive experience of improvisation in performance.
The focus will be on exploring uninhibitedly the huge potential of the body’s response to the primal urge to move, inspired by deep energies released through human interaction, physical challenge and through the excitement of discovering new territory, new sensations and a daring to go beyond inherent ideas of limitation.
In recent years Kirstie’s focus has been directed towards the art of deep listening within her practice of improvisation. During this workshop she will be sharing her insights and understanding of the essential quality of listening within the art of improvisation, and how this pertains to her experience of improvisation in performance.

Michael Schumacher: Improvisation and Instant Composition (2 – 4.30pm)

The versatile dance-artist Michael Schumacher is a master of improvisation. He has danced with Frankfurt Ballet, Twyla Tharp Dance, the Feld Ballet and the Pretty Ugly Dance Co and currently performs with the Magpie Music Dance Company.

The aim of this workshop is to develop conscious presence while improvising in a performance. Each session begins with exercises that explore relationships between thought, movement and presence in the immediate environment. By promoting a greater awareness of sensory input, the performer becomes better equipped to interact with their internal and external impulses.
The session continues with examples of both fixed and open structures in which the participants improvise with such elements as dance, music, text and light. Through practice and theory, participants explore a process by which they collectively experience spontaneously created compositions.

Price: Independent Artists/Students £160, Waged and Supported Artists £220
A vegetarian evening meal is available each day for £7

Click here for how to book.