Over the past week or so we have heard from three choreographers that will be participating in COLEctive Notions – a choreography showcase in Chicago November 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Today we hear from Margi Cole, Artistic Director and Founder of The Dance COLEctive (TDC) as she gives her perspective on how things are coming together…

Being transparent about the creative process…

Best laid plans. You start out with what you think is a good idea. Sometimes those ideas fail altogether and sometimes the experience shouts, “Whoa! Stop the car!”

As a result of our need to stop the car, TDC will invite the audience to participate in the creative process, sharing material with them and inviting them to inform it with a few choices of their own. In an effort to be transparent about the creative process please read about our experience around developing a 10-minute dance. Who knew it could be so complicated?!

Can you tell us a little bit about your new piece?

The new duet began as an exercise in what happens when two personalities collide around a task and how they negotiate accomplishing it. The task is to perform a 10-minute dance. The task is to accomplish performing choreographic material that is presented to them to assemble in sequence right before they perform it. The task is to tell their partner what they need while they perform the material. Then, once they have all the information, they must negotiate in the moment while performing the material. Sounds simple, right?

How did you come up with the idea for it? [Read more…]