“I looked around me and my fellow dancers were all laughing as well. It is as though we had all stopped worrying about what we couldn’t achieve and just enjoying what we could.” EncoreEast dancer
EncoreEast / RMDC choreographic project – Reflections from Stage 2: ‘live’ rehearsals
Photo (c) Roswitha Cheshire
In September and October 2021 RMDC company dancers Edd Arnold and Alethia Antonia have been working with the EncoreEast dancers in intensive two-day blocks to create their new choreography Focus based on Silent Lines. Some of the dancers have shared their insights from this second stage of the project as they reflect on the process as part of Stella Eldon’s ethnographic research…
“The incorporation of technique into the creative without too much conflict is probably the biggest breakthrough of the weekend. I became more aware and accepting of my weaknesses and strengths, but unwilling to surrender to them.”
EncoreEast dancer
“As much as anyone else, I can self-edit, become apologetic and condemn my less-brilliant movement attempts. Edd and Alethia made me realise that such a response is not necessary or helpful, rather it seems a bit frivolous, certainly a waste of time and energy and only serves to draw attention to the mistake or failure. They showed, rather than talked this approach. It was non-verbal, authentic and compelling.” EncoreEast Dancer