The Movement Project’s

choreographer’s workshop

FREE 2-day workshop for university dance programs


Now more than ever, collegiate dance programs are facing major barriers when it comes to providing resources to their students. Decreased funding opportunities, budget cuts, and faculty reduction continue to plague university dance programs on a daily basis, making it increasingly difficult to prepare students for the ever changing field awaiting them post-graduation. Faculty are stretched thin, working around the clock to ensure needs are met.

OUR COMMITMENT TO SUPPORTING THE NEXT GENERATION

The Movement Project is aiming to significantly course correct the trending trajectory for artists in Ohio who are entering the field, leveraging our resources and skills to support university dance programs in their commitment to providing the best education for their students. Through a generous grant from Ohio Arts Council, The Movement Project is able to offer FREE 2-day choreographic workshops to university programs located in Ohio. The Movement Project will work directly with each university to identify areas affected by lack of funding, designing a workshop filling those needs. In addition, the workshop will be free and open to the local community, providing opportunities for current students to connect with the dance communities within the area.

CHOREOGRAPHER’S WORKSHOP

TMP's Choreographer’s Workshop is a 2-day immersive experience investing in collaborative, creative, and sustainable practices for the next generation of choreographers. Participants “choose their path” for the 2-day workshop, engaging as choreographers, movers, or solo work. Artists work closely with TMP choreographers and guest artists in expanding and refining their choreographic and collaborative voices through led explorations of each artist’s choreographic process, while preparing artists on how to create sustainable practices post-graduation.  

NEXT STEPS

Connect with our operations coordinator Liz Conway to bring The Movement Project to your school.

  • Email: liz@themovementproject.org


CLASS OFFERINGS & DESCRIPTIONS

IMPROVISATIONAL PRACTICIES

Dancers will explore choreographic concepts used to develop unique and innovative movement vocabularies in real-time. From this base, dancers will develop movement material into spontaneous, performable dances through improvisational structures and scores. Throw all your improv fears out the window, as this class will empower you to feel confident and in control with improvisation.

ACTIVATING ARTISTS SERIES

This series focuses on the process of self-producing and how we as artists can cultivate and activate sustainable creative practices that meet our growing needs.

  • FUNDING & COMMUNITY RESOURCES

    • Grants 101

    • How to leverage community organizational support systems

    • How to make, fund, and execute a project

  • DIGITAL SELF-MARKETING

    • maintaining a digital portfolio

      • bio, resume/CV, artist statement, reels, website, social media

  • PRODUCTION & DESIGN

    • prioritizing choreographic elements of lighting, sound, and costume design

    • investing in collaborative partners

    • leveraging production skills

MAKERS SPACE SERIES

Participating artists can select 1 of 3 ways they would like to engage with the Makers Space Series.

  1. Choreographer: Participants identifying as choreographers will be paired with a group of dancers with whom they will collaborate and create work with during the 2 days.

  2. Mover: Participants identifying as movers will be paired with a lead choreographer and additional movers with whom they will collaborate and create work with during the 2 days.

  3. Solo Choreographer: Participants identifying as a solo choreographer will collaborate and engage with fellow choreographers and movers, but will focus on self-choreographed/performed solo work during the 2 days.

Over the 2 days, members of TMP will facilitate a space to explore practices and processes of dance making and editing. Artists will identify, explore, and refine choreographic concepts used to develop unique and innovative movement vocabularies and choreographic structures through the use of improvisational practices and compositional studies. The work explored and established during the Makers Space Series will be shared during the choreographic showing and feedback session at the end of day 2.

LIZ LERMAN’S CRITICAL RESPONSE PROCESS

Prior to the choreographic showing, artists will discuss Liz Lerman’s Critical Response Process to help provide direction to the feedback portion. This process is a multi-step, group system for giving and receiving useful feedback on creative processes and artistic works-in-progress.

CHOREOGRAPHIC SHOWING & GROUP DISCUSSION

Artists will have the opportunity to share their work developed over the past 2 days at an informal showing with fellow choreographers, movers, and teaching artists. TMP will help facilitate a group discussion, providing feedback and support to artists for their future creative practices.

*Additional class offerings are available. We are here to help fill the gap and provide resources to support your programs needs.


Sample Workshop schedule

*Workshops are designed to fit the needs & schedules for each university. Workshops are typically held on a Friday/Saturday or Saturday/Sunday.

DAY 1

9:30 - 11:00 am IMPROVISATIONAL PRACTICES

11:00 - 12:00 pm ACTIVATING ARTISTS: FUNDING & COMMUNITY RESOURCES

12:00 - 12:45 pm LUNCH BREAK

12:45 - 2:45 pm MAKERS SPACE: PART 1

2:45 - 3:00 pm BREAK

3:00 - 4:30 pm MAKERS SPACE: PART 2

4:30 - 5:30 pm ACTIVATING ARTISTS: DIGITAL SELF-MARKETING

DAY 2

9:30 - 11:00 am IMPROVISATIONAL PRACTICES

11:00 - 11:45 pm ACTIVATING ARTISTS: PRODUCTION & DESIGN

11:45 - 12:30 pm LUNCH BREAK

12:30 - 2:30 pm MAKERS SPACE: PART 3

2:30 - 2:45 pm BREAK

2:45 - 3:45 pm LIZ LERMAN’S CRITICAL RESPONSE PROCESS

3:45 - 6:00 pm CHOREOGRAPHIC SHOWING & FEEDBACK SESSION


The Movement Project

TEACHING ARTISTS

Megan L. Gargano

Artistic Director & Founder

Elyse Morckel

Associate Director & Company Member

Liz Conway

Operations Coordinator & Company Member


FUNDERS

The Choreographer’s Workshop is made possible thanks to Ohio Arts Council!