Humanities Arts Cultural Stu 0201 - Contact Improvisation

Contact Improvisation is a duet form of movement improvisation where two people move together in a playful physical dialogue, communicating through the language of touch, momentum, balance and weight support. From this seemingly simple premise arise rich embodied investigations of such issues as trust, touch, support, focus, permission, initiation, safety, verbal and non-verbal communication and shared power. This dance form also invites equal access to people of all physical capacities, it is usually practiced in leaderless/democratic structures, and it remains continually curious about different movement vocabularies and possibilities. Ever since its inception in the 1970's, Contact has significantly influenced modern/contemporary dance. This course will serve as a research laboratory in which students will study the practice, evolution and philosophy of this contemporary dance form in motion in the studio. They will work to develop awareness of inner sensation, which is key to finding spontaneous fluidity of movement in relation to a partner, and they will practice basic components of the form such as rolling, falling, spiraling, playing with balance, counter-balance, jumping, and weight-sharing. No previous dance experience is necessary.

Sarah Coffin is the Smith Grad Student who will be teaching the course This is a variable credit course. Concert Tickets $30.