Chavela Vargas has often been called “la voz de México”. An iconoclastic figure, a publicly queer woman singing rancheras and comporting with radical artists and activists, her life is a study in refusing to submit to social norms and embracing the power of art as an act of solidarity, resistance and love.
In this course, students will participate in a rehearsal process that will result in a dance performance work anchored in the music, history and impact of Chavela Vargas. This course is an opportunity to engage in the active creative research of the instructor, to learn technically demanding movement material, and to explore improvisation and other means to contribute to the process of making work. Through this course we will create an original dance work that will be performed in the Works in Progress dance concert towards the end of the term.
This course is intended for students who want to engage with physically complex and rigorous dancing, who are interested in improvisation, who want to further explore the creative process in making dance work, and who have some experience in the translation of technical and aesthetic ideas into performance.
IMPORTANT: This course may include movement material that involves touch and weight sharing with partners. If you have any concerns about this aspect of the course, please reach out to the instructor prior to enrolling to discuss.
Learning Outcomes:
Students will:
• learn technically challenging movement material.
• learn set and improvised choreography that will be performed at the end of the term.
• gain experience in performing contemporary dance work rooted in research of a historical figure.
• gain experience in participating in a focused and intensive rehearsal process.
Delivery Method: Fully in-person
Prerequisites:
Students should submit a letter articulating their previous experience with performance and their interest in the course to levigonzalez@bennington.edu by November 18 for priority consideration. Priority will be given to students with prior experience in dance and movement based performance.
Corequisites: Dance or Drama Lab Assignment if students are registered for 4 or more credits in designated dance courses.
Course Level: 4000-level
Credits: 2
Tu/F 4:10PM - 6:00PM (Full-term)
Maximum Enrollment: 12
Course Frequency: One time only
Categories: 4000 , All courses , Cancelled Courses , Fully In-Person , Two Credit , Updates
Tags: choreography , dance , latinidad , performance , technique