Hi Framers!
We are crowdsourcing the title of our May concert and we want your input. Vote here! Today is the very last day to vote.
This will be our 5th Anniversary Concert and we are very excited to celebrate with you. Let the good times roll.
by Sarah Wildes Arnett
1. Dance is not a terminal field, even though the MFA is. Most dancers (and performers in general) know and accept this as truth – dancers are students their entire lives. There is always a way to improve and become better as our bodies change and as the field evolves. I accepted this long before making the decision to go back to school. What I did not realize until much later was that this applies to my creative work as well. As I went into my thesis work and now, as a professional and in setting choreography on my students, I started the process of reworking old choreography. I’ve now taken what was originally a sextet and translated it into a duet (which works much better that way) that has been reworked at least five times on different dancers, each time finding out new information about the piece. The piece has evolved from a general exploration of rhythms and patterns to being about a simple relationship to death and the afterlife. I’m pretty sure it’s not perfect yet.
2. It’s ok to beat a dead horse (figuratively). Not every piece has to be a masterpiece and you don’t have to make work about something new and different every time. Some things are worth investigating again and again. Just because you tried something once doesn’t mean you are done and that you cannot do it again.
3. Age is just a number. I went to school with people from all walks of life, including those in my MFA program and the undergraduates working on their BFA and BA degrees. I truly believe that there are things to be learned from each other, no matter what the age as everyone brings in their own experiences and ideas. One of the best collaborators I ever worked with in graduate school (and best friends I’ve ever made) was an undergraduate student, Megen Burgess. We still work together and talk weekly about dancing ideas even though we live 9 hours away from each other.
4. Not every rehearsal has to be in a studio. Megen and I created an entire duet (and mind you, a very physically challenging duet) without managing to spend but maybe a total of 4 hours dancing. Sometimes you just need to have rehearsal at El Carreton. Sometimes you just have to draw a dance.
5. Write everything down. I cannot tell you the number of brilliant ideas (and I mean brilliant – I should be Trisha Brown by now) that I have forgotten because I didn’t write them down. Continue reading
Week 3 in our series that came from our installation at Fresh Arts. The piece was called The Black Space, and included these tiny silent dances meant to be seen on your smart phones.
The Black Space: Tiny Dance 3 from Frame Dance Productions on Vimeo.
We start our first day back with the Little Framers and the MultiGen class today. I am beyond thrilled to begin this semester with them, continue to develop modern dance technique, and build a new piece with them and the company.
Biggest Surprises of Grad Schoolby Amanda Diorio
I thought when I went back to school to get my MFA that I would be entering an uptight academic environment. I was so preoccupied with the idea of school and relocating my life that I forgot I would be entering a community of like-minded peers. In undergrad, even among dance majors, I was considered the “dance nerd,” In grad school I was surrounded by not only dancers but specifically “dance nerds,” people who wanted to explore, dissect and reveal as much about the art as I did. This community turned out to be a vital support group throughout the process of completing my degree. Having others to bitch to, socialize, laugh, and share my fledgling art with became essential for my survival during this stressful time. These bonds were not only a lifeline during the process but created many long lasting friendships and an excellent network that stands strong long after graduation.
When you enter a graduate program you have already passed a test in the eyes of the faculty. You have already completed one major academic step and have decided to continue onto another. There are fewer grad students for them to keep track of and you yourself are probably a much better student. For me this reduced a lot of the intimidationI felt with my undergraduate professors. Continue reading
Do you agree with their list? Do you have a tip of your own?
Leave a comment below!
Last week for submissions to the Frame Dance Music Composition Competition!
We’re calling all composers to submit to our annual music competition to find a collaborator for one of our live dances, and/or one of our dance films. We’ll be using the winner’s music in one of our pieces for the Spring season.
We do not accept works previously licensed to third-party publishing companies. This requirement, of course, does not limit works that are self-published where the composer has not entered into a licensing relationship with a third party.
The entry fee is $15.00. Composers may submit one, two, or three pieces for the single entry fee.
Submission Guidelines
Works may be written for solo, duet, trio, quartet, or quintet.
Acoustic works that utilize electronic playback are also acceptable.
Electronic music is accepted and encouraged.
Deadline is January 9, 2015
Winner will be announced January 30, 2015
It’s rainy here, and that’s the only thing that could have made this Friday any better. So very happy friday to all of you.
Our link this week is to fill you in on the next big Frame Dance thing: our MultiGen dance class and choreographic project. Read more here.
Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!
Here are some fun recipes to help you get ready for the holidays!
http://www.blisstree.com/2012/12/08/food/happy-healthy-hanukkah-recipes-celebrations-food/
Looking for fun and quick dishes to make for that upcoming Christmas party or family gathering?
Check out this amazing site full of appetizers, cocktails, desserts and more!
http://www.freefunchristmas.com/christmas-recipes/
