An Update from Shana Simmons Dance!

The pressure is on.

One common difficulty in sustaining a project based dance company is rehearsal scheduling and conflicts. As most choreographers can't afford to pay salaried wages to their dancers these days, we have to allow the freedom for the dancers to make a living in whatever way they see fit. Conflicts arise, rehearsals are canceled. 

This is a recent problem for the current choreographic process for Elevate. We are about half way through the piece, with really only 2-3 rehearsals left. My approach has been experimental, working with the dancers on different tasks and movements, observing what spoke to me and which direction I wanted to the piece to go in. I find an organic approach to choreography through observation and reflection helps define the work in the act of it being created. The foundation for concept and movement has been laid before us, but we have yet to layer these experiences into a final product. <--This also means REHEARSAL of the final product!

Ten minutes. It is NOT a lot of time to express a succinct idea and the concept of empowerment can have a variety of outcomes. As I'm still "IN IT" mentally, it is hard to say how the pieces of the puzzle will come together. I feel off balance, reaching for the best, and worried about the final push. All in all, we shall see what happens come April 17 for our NYC debut of Elevate!
-Written by Shana Simmons, www.shanasimmonsdance.com

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