Collaborative Choreography

October 23, 2008—Collaborative choreography for company members and young dancers
As a new member of Jane Franklin Dance, I am learning what it’s like to do collaborative choreography. Each dancer has their own style so in any given rehearsal we might do ten different styles of movement. Jane leads us through the concepts she has and gets us to move in the ways she envisions (hopefully we are anyway). Then Jane watches us dance and molds all the movement into dance pieces. There is never a dull moment. We might have to change the way we are facing, the speed, the direction, cut this part, add that one, do the movement on the floor, in the air, or take solo movement and do it with a partner instead. We have to be ready for anything!
Recently we started a project with young dancers. I was surprised the first day we had rehearsal at how well the elementary school-aged dancers improvised and how interesting their movements were. I thought they would have a hard time following Jane’s instructions and remembering the choreography, but they are doing very well. They’re also good at reminding me how fun dancing can be. We are putting together a piece for “The Music Made me do it” at the TJ Community Center. I am excited to see how it all comes together with the live chorus singers from HB Woodlawn Chamber Chorus.

–Andrea Ligon