The core themes: inequality, intolerance, prejudice, and racism. The backdrop: immigration, poverty, gang identity and distrust of others. The action: bullying, hatred and violence. We see these conflicts each day on our daily news feed.
This semester, we’re studying and performing Twyla Tharp’s The One Hundreds, which begins with two dancers performing one hundred 11-count phrases in unison. Then five dancers simultaneously perform their own twenty 11-count phrases of the previously performed one hundred. And finally, one hundred dancers each perform one of the 11-count phrases at the same time…. Read more »
We were challenged to meet students where they were and bring a touch of movement into their day. Of course, the best place to meet other students is none other than Starbucks. All of us were challenged to teach one of the sixteen phrases we had learned to one student. We also handed out flyers… Read more »
When I lived in Mumbai, India, I’d wake up elated one early morning each March. The key was to wake up before my cousins smeared pink or red or green powder all over my face—so I could get to them first.
When I first registered for this class, I wasn’t really sure what to expect. I knew it was a dance class, and I knew it had something to do with Twyla Tharp. Other than that, I had no idea! I have a friend that knew about the plans for the class, and told me I’d… Read more »
In Twyla’s “Torelli,” there are nine phrases, each of which is quite distinct from the other. My favorite phrase is collapse. Before Shawn, our teacher, showed us the video of collapse for the first time, I thought the phrase would be difficult for me; I anticipated it would take me a long time to learn… Read more »
I was so excited about what happened in class Thursday: we skyped Twyla into our class, and she taught the dance portion of our class and held a Q & A with us! In the past few weeks, we have been reading her book, The Creative Habit, and we watched a film she choreographed, Hair,… Read more »
Today we had our first chance to perform what we’ve learned of the “Torelli” for the public. We were invited to perform it as a work-in-progress at IU’s First Thursdays, a monthly event showcasing IU’s various arts and cultural projects. Five of us were able to participate in the performance, and we were really excited… Read more »
Over the course of this semester, I have noticed several changes in myself as a direct result of this class. I am more present in feeling my posture. Posture is something that I know I should be working on, even when I’m standing in line at the grocery store. After working on it so much… Read more »
Opening your eyes does not really show that you’re awake. Even getting out of bed and starting to get ready for the day does not define “awake” either. My threshold for wakefulness is when I can really react, interact, and respond to something new when it crops up in an otherwise set routine. The mornings… Read more »
