Contact Improv & Culture

4.0 credits

Rooted in dance, the martial arts and studies of body development and awareness, students will use weight, momentum, and inertia to move each other freely through space. Solo and duet skills such as rolling, falling, balance, counter-balance, jumping, weight sharing, and spirals will be explored to facilitate open dancing. Reading and writing assignments will explore the history and practice of contact improvisation and how it deals with physical ability, gender, social connection, and the students relationship to their own culture. Classes will primarily involve physical movement, but some time will be spent on discussion of the class exercises, readings, and personal experiences. In addition to regular class time, additional labs or jams will be scheduled approximately biweekly.