Prague Dance Days
1 week / 2 workshops
for dancers, performers, theatre and dance makers of all levels.
4 day contact improv/tango partnering workshop (August 5th to 8th)
3 day choreographic workshop - from improvisation to composition with props (August 9th to 11th)
Contact improv/argentine tango partnering - 4 day workshop
In this 4 hour a day 4 day workshop we will delve into 2 seemingly incompatible techniques to see how they can be applied in our dance/movement practice.
Contact improvisation principles will be used to develop a spontaneous physical dialogue between dancers. We will explore the concept of lead and follow, giving and receiving weight, focus on push and pull, resistance, rolling and impulses with the objective of creating authentic movement encouraging spontaneity.
In the Argentine tango segment we will focus on leading and following principles typical for this technique with a special emphasis on footwork, the dynamics and quality of the walk to see how this translates into partnering. A greater awareness of our axis and centre of gravity combined with different types of embrace will enhance spatial awareness and improve the understanding of our partner.
Finally we will fuse the two techniques in improvisation sequences in duets.
From improvisation to composition with props - 3 day workshop.
In the 5 hour a day 3 day workshop we wil go through the choreographic process of creating a short duet with the help of props.
During the first part we will focus on the process of generating movement spontaneously with the help of improvisation principles in a way that is relevant to each individual.
This will be followed by the composition segment when we will employ props as a part of the choreographic story. We will create short duets to which both partners will contribute equally. Finally we will play with the quality of music and explore how music influences perception.
From dolls, to straight razors to shoes, whips and handbags... I've used them all
About the workshop leaders:
Mirka Eliasova - dancer, teacher, choreographer, improvisor
After graduating from choreographic studies at the HAMU ( Musical Academy of Performing Arts in Prague ), Mirka started focusing on the use of improvisation in contemporary dance, having developed a number of improvisation projects and concepts. She studied improvisation with Randy Warshoe, Kirstie Simson, Lisa Nelson, Daniel Lepkof, Ivan Wolf, Julyen Hamilton and David Zambrano among others. She currently teaches improvisation at HAMU and in independent workshops. She is the author of more than 20 original choreographies, has worked on operas at Prague National Theatre and Opera Ústí nad Labem and collaborated on 4 dance films. She received the Prix de Intellect 2000 and dance film prize at the Písek Festival. Since 2008 she has collaborated on site specific performances with the Berg Orchestra to live music of contemporary composers. Her work was performed at international dance festivals in the Czech Republic and Europe. She teaches improvisation workshops internationally.
Regina Hofmanová - choreographer, movement director, filmmaker
Regina received an MA from the Interpreting and Translation Department at Charles’University in Prague and later graduated from Choreographic Studies at the Dance Department of HAMU. Since then she has worked as choreographer and movement director with a number of renowned opera directors such as David Pountney, Thaddeus Strassberger, Roman Hovenbitzer, she has produced a number of independent dance projects, video installations and short films including the successful Steadfast screened at a dozen festivals worldwide including the prestigious Sans Souci Festival of Dance Cinema and San Francisco Dance Film Festival. Regina started studying and dancing Argentine tango more than 20 years ago visiting Buenos Aires several times to study tango technique with famous maestros such as Aurora Lubiz, Claudia Bozzo, Andrea Misse, at the DNI studio and others. She often combines Argentine tango with contemporary dance in her choreographies (Tango for 5, in operas Candide, Man and Boy Dada etc.). Most recently in Après Rasage for the NDM Ballet in Ostrava.
www.reginahofmanova.com
Cost for participants:
Early bird before July 22nd: one workshop 110 EUR, two workshops 200 EUR
After July 22nd: one workshop 140 EUR, two workshops 250 EUR
The number of places is limited!
