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Preview – A Chance To Dance

August 10, 2012 by 4dancers

by Catherine L. Tully

I have to say, I’m intrigued.

I have had the chance to watch some of the footage for the upcoming series, A Chance To Dance on Ovation, and I think it will be an interesting show. Putting a dance company together in just 28 days (7 episodes) seems a little over the top, but then again, it’s television.

That said, there are a few things that set this show up for a good run, and I can share them with you here without giving anything away…

The backing.

The idea for the series comes from Nigel and Simon Lythgoe, Producers of So You Think You Can Dance. Basically, these guys have an idea of what works–don’t you think?

The location.

Much of the footage here is shot in an absolutely gorgeous location which already has a rich dance history–Jacob’s Pillow in the Berkshires. The outdoor stage and natural surroundings provide a scenic backdrop, and the one-on-one interviews echo the behind the scenes drama that makes Survivor such a popular show. This helps add a visual appeal to what would otherwise be many hours of studio footage, which although realistic, is not exactly visually stimulating.

The personalities.

The two judges, Michael Nunn and Billy Trevitt, both danced with The Royal Ballet in London  and have staged many popular productions over the past ten years. In addition to a strong dance background, they each contribute quite a bit of charisma as well.

Trevitt is very articulate when it comes to discussing his beliefs about dance and music and Nunn has a natural grace and humor about him that transforms what could be otherwise routine studio time into something special for the screen. They were both great picks for the show.

The premise.

Even if it is a familiar premise, it’s still a good one.

The judges travel to different places, auditioning dancers for the show. They are looking for dancers who are good–12 to be specific, to form a company that will perform at a New York Gala event, then continue on to be the opening act for the SYTYCD tour.

Who doesn’t want to see talented dancers who have been overlooked for one reason or another get their shot at the big time? The idea is so often used because it feels good.

I didn’t get to see much footage of the dancers actually dancing, but I’m looking forward to that part and hoping that they will do it well. There didn’t appear to be too much snark going on (at least not that I saw), which is actually a welcome relief. The show has promise without trying to manufacture any additional drama.

With the proliferation of dance shows on television as of late, it can be hard to know which ones are worth the time and which to skip.

I, for one, am going to give this show its “chance to dance”.

A Chance To Dance premieres August 17th at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT on Ovation.

Filed Under: Editorial Tagged With: a chance to dance, billy trevitt, dance show, jacob's pillow, michael nunn, nigel lythgoe, ovation, ovation tv, simeon lythgoe, So You Think You Can Dance, the royal ballet

Musings: Every Body Dances

April 4, 2012 by Kimberly Peterson

by Kimberly Peterson

When I first began college at Texas Woman’s University, there was a slogan – a motto of sorts for the department: Every Body Dances.

Not everybody dances, but Every Body Dances. The distinction is important – because it necessarily includes every body: type, shape, size, age, and ability. This belief is so integral to TWU’s Department of Dance, that it radically changed how I approached movement, creativity, my body and my journey as a dance artist.

Ability is something most dancers pride themselves on: the ability to execute movement well, the ability to perform, the ability to manipulate their bodies to do as they desire. However, ability is a spectrum – and the loss of an ability need not negate the ability of an entire body. And it certainly does not consume the identity of the person.

Adaptive dance seeks to allow for differences in ability while creating high caliber performances. In essence, it treats all dancers, regardless of ability, as dancers and works within whatever levels of technique, skills, performance they bring with them. It is a deceptively simple concept – and marvelous to behold!

Two fascinating examples of great work come from DV8 Physical Theater and AXIS Dance Company.

DV8 Physical Theater is a UK based movement troupe. The clips below are from their Film The Cost of Living and feature David Toole, who is a remarkable mover and actor.

What I find most engaging is that David Toole makes full use of his abilities. He’s not attempting to look like he has legs, he simply moves without them – furthering the creative development of movement within the pieces he dances in. I find the perspective shot from David’s level to be highly interesting, and find the movement his body attains extremely engaging. The perspective of these shots highlight the relationship between the dancers’ bodies and space which, in some instances, is much more interesting to me than the actual movement. (Video 2) David displays a level of physicality and commitment to his movement that is equally impressive!

AXIS Dance Company, who you may remember as a guest performance from So You Think You Can Dance, has stunning work involving a wheelchair.

The fantastic movement made with the bodies they have, highlights their ability rather than the differences between them. The movement varies in tempo and intensity, dynamically pushing the limits of what is “safe” into realms that are both interesting and captivating. I was especially excited to see that they utilized the full range of possibilities with the chair: using the chair off balance (1:27, 1:31, 2:16), utilizing weight sharing (:45-:51) from both partners (3:15), both physically initiating (1:14) and receiving partnering (1:20), and was especially excited to witness the chair in use for counter-balance (1:00) and the initiation of bodily momentum (3:00). The choreographer, Alex Ketley, really utilized Rodney Bell and engaged his whole body, which includes the use of a wheelchair.

However, there is no condescension, no “inspirational” tone. There are just artists, doing what they cannot help but do – dance beautifully. However, this lack of “inspiration” is important. While it is always enlightening and exhilarating to see amazing work, we do the dancers a disservice if we only focus on what ails them – or what makes them different. What is most important in a dance work, has to be what the work is saying to you, the communication and dialogue happening between you, the dancers and the choreographer. We take away the beauty and magic of that moment by reducing the whole to the sum of their parts.

Accepting that no body is the same, that no mind thinks alike, that no one interpretation of movement can encompass the whole of the experience – this is what makes our medium a lived art, an experience rather than a stagnant piece.

Every Body Dances.

Filed Under: 4dancers, Editorial, Musings Tagged With: axis dance company, dance, dancing, david toole, dv8 physical theater, So You Think You Can Dance, sytycd

So You Think You Can Dance? Audition!

December 5, 2011 by 4dancers

If you’ve always wanted to be on So You Think You Can Dance, you might want to check this out…

Auditions for this popular show are going to take place for season 9, starting in Atlanta, GA, January 5th at the historic FOX Theatre. They will continue on Friday, Jan. 13 at the McFarlin Memorial Auditorium in Dallas, TX; Monday, Jan. 23 at the Manhattan Center in New York, NY; Thursday, Feb. 23 at the Capitol Theatre in Salt Lake City, UT; and Friday, March 2 at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles, CA.

Those who shine during auditions are given a ticket to Las Vegas for callbacks, where they will work with top choreographers to learn and then be judged on multiple styles of dance. For more details on auditions for Season Nine, as well as eligibility requirements, go to www.fox.com/dance.

Here are the details: [Read more…]

Filed Under: 4dancers, SYTYCD Tagged With: auditions, So You Think You Can Dance, sytycd

Dance In The UK: Dance Shows Boost Popularity?

November 26, 2011 by 4dancers

by Jessica Wilson

Jessica Wilson

Having seen a huge influx of dance-related TV shows throughout 2011, a recent survey conducted by YouGov has revealed that just over 1 in 5 British adults (21%) have become interested in dancing as a result of shows such as Strictly Come Dancing and So You Think You Can Dance. The survey was completed in the prelude to the Dance Proms, a new festival which took place at the Royal Albert Hall in London on Sunday 13th November of this year. The Dance Proms featured twenty-four acts selected from a competition held to find the UK’s most talented dance students and representing all genres of dance. Dance Proms, a celebration of dance in all its forms, is organised by UK’s leading dance organisations: the International Dance Teachers’ Association (IDTA), Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD); and the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD).

The YouGov survey also revealed that roughly the same number of adults (1 in 5) currently participate in some form of dance, stretching across a vast range of styles, with just over 1 in 8 adults (13%) having taken part in a dance class in the last five years. This is sure to grow in the future, with the introduction of extremely popular “dance-fit” activities such as Zumba, the latest dance craze to sweep the US and Europe, and favoured among many celebrities including Wayne Rooney, Madonna and Jennifer Lopez. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Dance in the UK, SYTYCD Tagged With: dance in the uk, dance proms, imperial society of teachers of dancing, international dance teachers association, royal academy of dance, So You Think You Can Dance, strictly come dancing, sytycd

The Power of Choice: On Tools and Intelligence

August 7, 2011 by Kimberly Peterson

by Kimberly Peterson

Something has been irking me lately despite the vast improvement in critique – thanks largely in part to the guest judges – which is the role of a dancer as a tool vs. the dancer making active intelligent choices. I want to discuss the role of choice, how it relates to power and how the use of choice takes a dancer from a mere “tool of the trade” to an active participant utilizing their choice to make intelligent artistic decisions. To do this I want to walk through three very important distinctions: tools v. choice; choice inside creative process; and process with artistic intelligence. [Read more…]

Filed Under: 4dancers, 4teachers, SYTYCD Tagged With: choreography, mia michaels, So You Think You Can Dance, sytycd

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