Thursday, December 2, 2010

Nov. 13 Orchesis Showing

To ensure that the Orchesis Student Dance Concert is a continual learning experience for both the cast and choreographer, the students involved are all participating in three different showings to share, discuss and receive feedback on each piece. Two respondents who are immersed in the dance world were invited to MSU and gave feedback to the choreographers and dancers at the first showing which took place on November 13. Alison Woerner, a visiting assistant professor of dance at Oakland University, and Heather Vaughan-Southard, a dance professor at Everette High School in Lansing and previous choreographer for MSU Repertory concerts, provided feedback at the showing. Through the use of constructive feedback they challenged the students to ask themselves questions about what is or what is not working in their piece. They told choreographers what they saw and gave them things to think about for the future rehearsals.

Rehearsals for this concert started in September and the dances have been continually evolving. These showings are just one aspect of the choreographic process of the concert. For many of the choreographers (myself included) this is the first time we have crafted a dance. The feedback provides us with a fresh pair of eyes to view the dance and give thought provoking ideas and questions to ask ourselves. A second showing took place December 5 and the last showing will take place January 22. This is the first year that three showings have been utilized in the completion of the concert.

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