Sunday, February 13, 2011

Leaping into Technology

I remember way back when tape cassettes held all my dance music.  Editing music began with finding a pencil to wind the tape to where the clear part of the tape no longer touched the little felt square, then pressing play and pause on one side of my stereo, and pressing pause, play, and record on the other.
I also remember doing community outreach and having to carry a boom box twice my size.  I couldn't even imagine trying to bring a video recorder with me.  They were huge back then!  Not to forget the big book of CDs that I used to carry to every class I taught.  

But today, in my medium sized messenger bag, I was able to carry my laptop, a video camera, my iphone, dance clothes, a book, and other small items that require me to get through the day of directing, teaching, and dancing.  And on my back, these items, although they may seem heavy, weigh less because it makes my job so much easier.  

My laptop is the 7th member of Project. B.  Just like my dancers, I am so thankful for its efficiency.  Choreographing and working out movement, recording what we've accomplished in that day, giving my dancers the opportunity to see video by uploading the material, helps in the transition of rehearsing from week to week.

The concept of Moveable Feast is to create the same piece three times to three different types of music as well as changing the casting for each repetition.  Can you imagine how many possibilities are floating around in my head?  It doesn't always make for clear directing.  But I am always so amazed at how much we get done in 2 hours because of all the technology that makes everything so much more efficient.  I don't have to waste time on the dancers to see if prospective music will work with the choreography.  All I have to do is watch the video on imovie and presto chango!  I can try out a new musical choice.  I can see the composition of the piece and see what it is I do like and don't like and brainstorm on new changes or ideas before I even get into the studio.  My dancers won't have to repeat the movement 50 times until I come up with inspiration or some kind of idea.  Instead, we are able to move on and manifest ideas that I've already thought about.

However, my dancers still give me a lot of inspiration.  There are definitely many times during the process that they spark where the piece may go.  This weekend's rehearsal, I found a lot of potential on a men's duet.  Kelly and Bruce look great together.  

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