PHOENIX DANCE THEATRE - RESIDENCY W/C 19TH SEPTEMBER - TRACY WITNEY

First of all I would like to say how great last week was, both myself and Pauline were delighted with the level of commitment and enthusiasm of the students (and other artists) during the sessions. It was also very benefitial for both of us to view other artists work and consider new ideas and ways of developing the dance work further in conjunction with the stories, film work and visual art.

For those that were not there to experience the Phoenix double act here is a breif summary of areas which were covered.

As mentioned in my previous entry the first week of dance workshops were aimed to introduce some basic dance skills in realation to each groups later work without delving to deeply into the Jabberwocky story or pictures.

Class 3:
Mirroring
Levels
Pathways
Balances – on own / with partner
This group were fantastic at travelling and working with a partner, it was great to have the opportunity to teach a sole dance session and a combined session with Caroline.

Our ideas have now developed to exploring 'fantasy animals' with amazing names like 'joggerjumpers' and 'rollingtwirlers' which will create a dance piece which will begin in the classroom and travel into the hall. I have discussed with Caroline the idea of creating masks and a soundtrack of noises / chants.

Class 3 /4:
Key Elements:
Mirroring
Levels
Pathways
Balances – on own / with partner

This group showed their ability to use different pathways and work effectively with a partner and once agan we were able to combine some of the work with Caroline ans started to explore the different plants that live in the 'Tulgey Wood'. It was great to see the ideas spilling out as the children created both physically and through pictures their 'fantasy plants'. Again both myself and Pauline have thought about how we can develop this through dance and would lke to introduce the character of the night who cuts through the plants in the wood but will the plants let him pass?

Class 4/5:
Mirroring
Levels
Working within confined spaces – hula hoops etc
Facial expression
Balances – on own / with partner

This group had worked really hard and had a great time using facial expressions, we explored the concept of confined space (using a hula hoop) and asked the children to create human statues in an art gallery. All the students showed great understanding of working with and aiding a partner as they had to help design and choreograph each others sequences within the hoops.

After discussions with Caroline and joining in a movement session we are now looking at creating a narrative which through movement and spoken word will recreate scenes from the children's Jabberwocky stories. We will still incorporate the idea of the art gallery but each picture will be in a different room in the school so the audience will have to follow the narrator or work out the rhyme to find the next picture.

Class 5 / 6

Mirroring
Levels
Pathways
Dynamics
Word association

This group worked in a more abstract way and used words to create movement sequences. we looked at movement dynamics and travelling across the space with a partner.

We will develop this work further with Lorraine when we make the film and animations of words, as the group showed solid team working skills it would be nice to introduce further partner work and maybe some lifts in their dance film.

We are also thinking of using this film to project onto year 6's 'Jabberwocky' choreography, which will fully integrate the work between the two year groups!!

Class 6:
Mirroring
Levels
Pathways
Balances – on own / with partner
Stretching (expanding) & enclosing

Again we were completely blown away by the groups commitment, there partner / contact work was well executed and very thoughfully performed. It was really good to see young people concentrate so hard and perform some very intricate movements.

Both myself and Pauline are very excited about creating this groups piece using pliable fabric and a structure which will hopefully be created by Terry as a representation of the Jabberwocky. The fabric will also have images projected onto it compiled from the year 5/6's dance film.

The whole week has been fantastic and I have enjoyed every minute of it, both myself and Pauline commented on the positive role models that the class teachers gave across by taking part in the dance sessions (something that teachers usually run away from).

Our only sadness this week has been the unnecessary and blatant vandalism of the woods and the destruction of all Terry and the childrens hard work. I hope Terry can get back on track and that the actions of one person do not destroy the magic of the woodland trail for so many others.

I am looking forward to the planning day and will start jotting more ideas down with Pauline!!!