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VIEWING AND TALKING ABOUT DANCE

The personal narrations which accompany acclaimed dances in the repertory and new films are the core of the platform, spoken by alumni, current dancers, and outside guests. We gain insight into what goes through a performer’s head while watching, from the vantage point of “now”, and from the perspective of “then,” what was going through their heads at that time. As well as insights into the world of choreography and the theater. With the special guests’ commentaries (featured on the Dances and Dance Films pages) there is an objectivity, as these artists have no history, background, or connection with the works. As such, we are privy to hearing how someone “reads dance.” Unfolding in real time and unscripted, these monologues comprise hours of footage. 

IN THE STUDIO

This footage from the In The Studio series, a four-part weekly event which occurred in the summer of 2009 at Manhattan’s New York City Center, brings the viewer directly into the studio, part of the Company’s mission to demystify and deconstruct concert dance. The programming reveals the underpinnings of how dance is composed, how dancers work, and the various meanings dance can convey.

HEAR FROM COMPANY DANCERS

To hear thoughts about viewing dance from the Company dancers, visit the Dancer Interviews page.

INTERPRETING MODERN DANCE

Learning to view and speak about dance is a skill that comes with practice. Observation is the first step. In this video about Modern Dance you can watch and listen to some of the ways that one can view, analyze, and interpret dance.

HOW DANCERS WORK TOGETHER AND APART

In this brief film, Pine Forest, there is the opportunity to view how dancers move from working in unison to creating their own timing. The dancers are following the same choreography but varying the speed and duration of the movements. Your eye can track how the dancers are making their part of the dance specific to them, complete with an improvised finished position.

Learn more about viewing and talking about dance on the Writing About Dance page, where acclaimed dance reviewer Elizabeth Zimmer shares what she thinks about when she watches dance.