Choreo Lab w/ Renuka Rajagopalan

Saturday, May 23

11 AM -2 PM 

Oak Cliff Cultural Center (223 Jefferson Blvd Dallas, TX 75208)

Sliding Scale $5 - $15

We'll work with the idea of the body as an archive, exploring what movement we carry without being asked, and what happens when a codified classical form meets bodies with entirely different relationships to it.
I'll bring specific Bharatanatyam (classical Indian dance) material--a gesture, a weight, a rhythm--which we'll work with through structured improvisation. This lab will ideally have 8-12 dancers with mixed training backgrounds. The diversity is the point!

Choreo Lab is an experiment in short-term, low-stakes creative processes that mutually benefit dancers and dancemakers. Led by a new choreographer each session, we create instant ensembles, giving the choreographer an opportunity to test out creative ideas on bodies other than their own and dancers the opportunity to meet collaborators, learn new movement styles, and be in a process-oriented environment. Dancemakers might ask participants to create their own material, play with spacing/facing, and engage with other compositional elements. 

Each session will start with a 15-30 min warm up depending on the needs of the process. Before each session participants will receive more details about what to expect including notes on apparel and other elements that might be involved like writing, speaking, and/or physical contact. A sliding scale of $5-15/person for each session will help cover the cost of studio space and admin. 

Choreo Lab was conceived by Lauren Kravitz with considerable support from Rai Barnard. Together, we’ll facilitate and develop this series.

Choreo Lab is supported by the City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture.