Doubles

Two sessions of Viewpoints and Suzuki today – just wiped me out. I can only imagine what tomorrow will bring. Its interesting to see how the training is changing as we get more and more familiar with the vocabulary and the concepts. Viewpoints was largely about perception and architecture today. Refining ides we have already explored. Suzuki was about refinement of specific ideas this morning and then a review of all the basic movements – a great was to set these in our bodies. We are familiar enough with them that we can start to work on specific moments. I have discovered that there is a bit of a weakness in my right hip – which get set off when all my weight in on my right leg. My fix at this point is to take a huge breath and pull all my energy to center – which helps support.

They are also starting to work more with us with text, so needing to have that breath and be ready to speak at any time. It really does create a fantastic well of energy to draw on. Apparently we are reaching the stage of training where our bodies start to break down a bit more. It, as we are told, tends to trigger an emotional release as well – so classes next week may be somewhat of a wild ride. I can already see the physical changes – moving a bit slower, sitting out certain movements, nursing particular injuries. It’s to be expected with something so demanding. So far I have been able to mostly patch myself back together at the end or beginning of each day, but each day brings new and interesting things to patch. I think we are all looking forward to getting through tomorrow and getting on a bus to go see the Doug Verone Dance Company. Hey – as long as they sell beer I should be fine.

Had rehearsal tonight and while we went in with a clear direction, that direction changed a couple of times before we settled on the last last thing. Totally different dynamic with this one. The first piece was largely about space and about how four people could find a way to collaborate. With the given space this time there is still a dialogue, but in a very different way. Also the addition of a director means that we can spend a lot of time talking sort of waiting for someone else to make a decision. It’s a tough role to be in because you don’t want to overstep, but at the same time you don’t want to not assert. A tough call. But I think we have and idea we can all live with and a sense of how it would work in the space.