WE ARE ALL HERE
A Weekend of Site-Specific Community Dance
facilitated by choreographer Marylee Hardenbergh
Apply to Be a Host City!
One of the joys of my life is to partner with community-based groups and share the process of creating a site-specific community-based dance performance. This process can be learned in just three days!
These weekend offerings represent teachings that have been distilled over decades of creating site-specific work. Many participants in my performances have shared their desire to recreate my approach and apply it in their own communities. Site-specific performance is a powerful way to bring community members together to honor an important site, celebrate a community event, or draw attention to a particular community concern.
I would be honored to be invited to work with you and your community. Over three days, we will walk through the step-by-step process of planning, producing, and performing a site-specific event, and on the third day we will present the performance for the public. Please read on for more details!
“Gathering a new and diverse group of dancers in an impressive urban landscape for one weekend only, weaving together groups and their creations of choreography in response to the “stories” of that landscape, and then offering a free public performance on the Sunday afternoon ……. I loved every moment!! It was Inspirational, Fun, Magical, Educational and a total privilege for my heart, mind, body and soul.”
Tricia, Moving Art in Action
What is required of Host Cities?
- These offerings are most successful when a local group or organization can serve as the designated Host for the weekend, and a specific person can be the point of contact.
- The Host will be responsible for gathering a group to participate. No previous dance or performance experience is required. A group of 8-20 people is ideal, but both smaller and larger groups are possible.
- Prior to the weekend, I will work with the Host organization to select a site for the performance. There are important considerations for choosing a site that is optimal for both performers and audience.
- Costumes: for the sake of simplicity, in most cases, “costumes” will mean wearing all white or all black. Variations on this are welcome.
- Sound: The Host organization will be responsible for providing some kind of sound amplification. In many cases a cell phone plugged into an amplifier works perfectly.
- The Host group/organization will benefit from publicizing the performance ahead of time through social media and word of mouth.
- Some Host communities have designated a photographer and/or videographer to document the workshop and performance. This is optional.
- It is appreciated if the Host organization is able to manage arrangements for my travel to the site and lodging for the weekend. This is not required, but is tremendously appreciated when possible.
- Requested teaching stipend for the weekend: $1,500 (negotiable)
Space Harmony: Portal to the Sacred
Ottawa, Canada
“Marylee facilitated an awesome weekend event “Space Harmony – Portal to the Sacred” in Ottawa, Canada that culminated in a performance piece at an historic location on the locks of the Rideau Canal in the downtown core. The participants embraced the process with mind, body and soul and at the end of the weekend the sense of the group was one of amazement for the entire experience…. the journey was deep and profound and layered in ways that continued long after the event itself.” Wendy, President, Sacred Dance Guild
How is the weekend structured?
Friday evening: We will start with group introductions, after which I will present a brief (~20 minute) overview of my work. Then we will move! I will lead the group through a series of explorations based on the principles of Space Harmony. Each participant will develop a brief movement sequence using a simple structure. These movements will be woven into the performance.
Saturday morning: We will do a tour of the pre-selected performance site, during which we will highlight and discuss aesthetic and practical considerations about the location. We will develop performance themes in groups at the site, with each participant contributing choreography for specific aspects of the site.
Saturday afternoon/early evening: We will finalize the performance sequences, polishing and rehearsing. We will also discuss the unique relationship between performers and audience in site-specific work.
Sunday morning: Rehearsal at the site. And, for those who are interested, I would be happy to do a Q&A session, during which I can share some examples of my site-specific work and answer questions participants might have about how to apply this performance model in different contexts. This is intended to spark ideas!
Sunday Afternoon: We will perform the dance with music and costumes. The event is free and open to the public. Rain or shine!
By the conclusion of the workshop, participants will have gained skill in:
- Analyzing practical and aesthetic aspects of potential performance sites in order to select optimal locations for site-specific performance events.
- Leading groups of participants in creating simple movement sequences, and weaving those sequences together to create meaningful choreography.
- Adapting and shaping the choreography in ways that harmonize the movement with elements of the performance site.
- Planning basic aspects of site-specific performance events, including date selection, publicity, costumes, and music/sound.
To schedule a weekend, or to find out additional information, please contact:
Marylee Hardenbergh
