Posted by: Levi Hanes
I had the opportunity to attend the STREB workshop this morning. My fears of potential forced participation were alleviated as I stammered something about being with the PICA Press Corp. Thanks to PICA’s Eugenie I was ushered to the side of the mat just as Elizabeth Streb began her introduction. I have watched some dance rehersals while in college and have been to a few performances so although I move like a spasmodic on the dance floor I can appreciate what the participants’ experience. Streb’s teaching approach was relaxed, congratulatory, and encouraging with an emphasis on the dancer finding their own means to perform the actions. Some notes on the difference from other dance forms I have seen is the STREB’s emphasis on surprise. Rather than leading into a move Streb emphasized muscle tension and quick motions. The body was encouraged to move as full planes, face parallel with shoulders, hips, etc. Instead of the head turning towards the direction the body was to move or the arms swinging into motion, or a crouch to launch a jump, the motions had a taught, muscular snap of a spring set loose.
Talking to PICA volunteer Alexis after the session she pointed out that the impact of the moves took some getting used to. Imagine the body in positions of planes landing with impressive thumps on mats.
The STREB workshop was definitely aimed at participants who had previous dance experience or just a crap load of gumption (neither of which I have), but I felt I gathered a unique insight into tomorrow’s performance. Had I participated I think the experience would have been far richer. A tip for tomorrow: don’t blink. There are some seriously quick moves of near impossible feats and the STREB folks intend to give you no warning.
See you there.
Urban Honking
is a community of writers, visual artists, musicians, filmmakers, and other great humans.
-
Recent Posts
@p_i_c_a
-
58 mins ago
T @edibleportland: Thank you @P_I_C_A for chance to try out wild salmon grilling. Lola needed a little time to get used to those coals! ht… -
4 hours ago
cmonlanguage continues tomorrow with 1st of Craycroft's weekly events—1st up is #TBA11 alum Ohad Meromi's Flat Dance http://t.co/PmqOgubR0a
-
58 mins ago
resourceroom.tumblr
Recent Comments
- Marty Kinsella on A Taxonomy of Chairs
- laura becker on A Taxonomy of Chairs
- Rosine Evans on A Taxonomy of Chairs
- Rosine Evans on Bookmarks
- Bryan Markovitz on Nature Theater of Oklahoma
Archives
- March 2013
- February 2013
- September 2012
- August 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- November 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- October 2008
- September 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- October 2007
- September 2007
- August 2007
- May 2007
- April 2007
- February 2007
- January 2007
- October 2006
- September 2006
- August 2006
- July 2006
- April 2006
- November 2005
- October 2005
- September 2005
- August 2005
- July 2005
- June 2005
Categories
Meta