Contact Improvisation: Tools for Life (DAN2356.01)

Tal Shibi, MFA Teaching Fellow

In this course we will enliven both our individual and our partnering dance work, while learning the vocabulary that helps make Contact Improvisation an engaging non-verbal conversation. The ongoing learning process of Contact Improvisation involves developing skills related to weight sharing, jumping and rolling, sliding and gliding, finding a solo inside a duet, using the floor as a partner and discovering the breath as an ally. This form enhances body tone and the skin’s sensitivity to different qualities of touch, advancing body intelligence overall. How do we support another person’s weight safely; how do we give our own weight while still allowing softness in our body? What are the tactics we can use to create a sense of “flow” in our dancing? How do we communicate the skillful application of touch through dancing and moving? This class supports and encourages diversity, different points of view, approaches, and experience while it supports the students in finding their own unique movement voice and style.


Learning Outcomes:
Learn the fundamentals of Contact Improvisation
Gain a broad understanding of concepts and practices used in Contact Improvisation technique
Work to turn the body into a weight bearing and a weight giving entity
Experience fluidity, breath, and improvisational intelligence
Experiment with solo and group scores




Delivery Method: Fully in-person
Corequisites: Corequisites: Dance or Drama Lab Assignment if students are registered for 4 or more credits in Dance.
Course Level: 2000-level
Credits: 2
T/F 10:30AM - 12:20PM (Full-term)
Maximum Enrollment: 20
Course Frequency: One time only

Categories: All courses , Dance , Fully In-Person
Tags: , ,