Dance Intensive: Embodiment through Improvisation and Performance (DAN2354.01)

Elena Demyanenko

This course is for students who have a serious interest in dance or desire to explore embodied practice and cognition, whether or not you have previous dance experience. We will consider many aspects of dance making, embodiment, and performance. We will work towards constantly evolving ways to be one’s own teacher—recognizing patterns, heightening awareness of observation, and selecting easier, more efficient, and effective movement options. Improvisational structures will test and inform our making and moving via screening/reading/composing. We will look at the tools needed for developing and performing our own work and feeling more comfortable in our bodies. Students’ experiments will be regularly drafted, viewed, discussed and edited, opening up conversations about technique, structure, organization, and disorganization (to understand a range of perspectives). In order to expand the process, we will develop some complementary practices of creating through writing, drawing, and storytelling.

Collaborative and solo projects will be developed throughout the term and will include a showing in Dance Workshop or in the end-of-term Studio Concert.


Learning Outcomes:
-gain an introductory understanding of contemporary scholarship on dance that incorporates critical analyses and cultural context into our understanding of dance forms.
-explore approaches to dance technique, structure, improvisation and performance from a broad range of cultural, historic and artistic perspectives.
-develop self-directed learning strategies, such as recognizing patterns, heightening awareness of observation, and practicing intention and agency in selecting effective movement options.
-build familiarity with multiple somatic practices and awareness.
-develop and perform their own work.
-gain confidence in different ways of providing and receiving feedback on their creative work.





Delivery Method: Fully in-person
Corequisites: Attendance at Dance Workshop on Thursday evenings; Dance or Drama Lab Assignment if students are registered for 4 or more credits in Dance.

Course Level: 2000-level
Credits: 4
M/Th 3:40PM - 5:30PM (Full-term)
Maximum Enrollment: 16
Course Frequency: Once a year

Categories: 2000 , All courses , Dance , Four Credit , Fully In-Person
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