Apr 2 / Blanche Evan's Improvisational Methods: Rehearsing

 

 

Unit: Blanche Evan's Improvisational Methods

Theme: Rehearsing

 

I

Introduction

Continuing with our unit on Blanche Evan's methodology, today, we will explore rehearsing. For the dancer in general, rehearsing means to practise a play, a piece of music, a dance, etc. in order to prepare it for public performance.

 

II 

Learning Objectives

 

• Understand the ideas behind rehearsing while improvising
• Explain the ideas, memories and feelings expressed during rehearsing
• Gain awareness of the use of rehearsing when using ideas, memories and feelings while improvising
• Experience group dance improv using the concept of rehearsing
• Reflect on the creative process at the end of the lesson

III

 

Main Lesson

 1

Rehearsing

Rehearsing refers to an improvisation in which alternative responses are created and practiced in order to prepare for dance and movement changes outside the studio.

Question 1

After reading Evan's ideas about rehearsing, briefly describe in writing which have been the alternative responses that you have created and practiced for the final?   

 

 2

Activity

Today we are addressing  rehearsing, which is about creating and practicing alternative responses to the movement choices you have explored so far.

So, now let us again delve fully into body movement and creative dance improvisation using the alternative responses to the movement choices you have made so far.

Follow the following order:

Explore: Movement exploration to begin to feel feelings (2 min)

Identify: Identify those feelings when they are felt (2 min)

Express: Express these feelings in movement metaphors (2 min)

Connect: Find the connection between your movement metaphors
               and the theme you chose (2 min)

Choose 8 moves and create your dance or movement phrase.

 Question 2

a) Write a brief reflection of your creative process.

b) Record and post your movement phrase for today. 

 

3

 

Dancing Age: Rethinking Age(ing) in and through Improvisation Practice and Performance

Approaching Dance Trough Improvisation (Page 20) 

Susanne Martin

https://www.google.com/books/edition/Dancing_Age_ing/bggxDgAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Dance+Improvisation&printsec=frontcover

Martin Susanne (2017). Dancing Age: Rethinking Age(ing) in and through Improvisation Practice and Performance. Transcript Verlag

 

Question 3

Summarize the content on page 20.

IV

 A Note to Remember

 For the dancer in general, rehearsing means to practise a play, a piece of music, a dance, etc. in order to prepare it for public performance.

 

V

 Case Studies

1

Kelli Forman's UCSB Improvisation Rehearsal

Question 3

Write a brief response to this video. 

 

How does it relate to your own experience as a dancer rehearsing  alternative ideas and responses.

  

 2

Inspirational Video

https://youtu.be/lwcHNHyJMyo?si=gSP1XC4AYyf4ywti

 

Waves - Contemporary Dance Improvisation

 

  Question 4

a) Which movements in this dance resonate with you? Why?
b) Would you use them as alternative movement choices to your dance improvisation? Why?

VI

Journaling

 

VII

Glossary

 

VIII

Sources

 

IX

Students' Work Sample from Previous Semester

 Lauren Trentacoste

Question 5

 

How do you think the site-specific improvisation dance Lauren Trentacoste created affects her movement choices?

 

  X

Students' Work 

Academic

 

William Brodsky

Question 1: Alternative responses I have created and practiced for the final

 
Throughout the final project rehearsals, I’ve created and explored several alternative responses. One response was shifting between tension and softness more fluidly—starting a gesture with a strong, sharp energy, then letting it dissolve mid-movement. Another was allowing stillness to interrupt momentum, rather than always continuing through space. I also practiced letting emotional states subtly dictate movement texture: nervousness became small, jittery footwork; confidence became expansive, lifted arms. Exploring these alternatives kept my movement from feeling repetitive and made it feel more alive and spontaneous.

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Question 2: Response to Kelli Forman's UCSB Improvisation Rehearsal Video

 
Watching Kelli Forman’s rehearsal showed me how improvisation can be both structured and experimental at the same time. The dancers were clearly working within specific frameworks, but they allowed surprises and personal interpretations to guide their exploration. It reminded me that rehearsal in improvisation isn’t about memorizing steps—it’s about deepening awareness of possibilities. This parallels my experience rehearsing for the final: I’m not setting my movement in stone, but I'm familiarizing myself with the textures, choices, and emotional qualities that might emerge.

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Question 3: Reflection on my creative process

 
Rehearsing alternative responses forced me to stay alert and flexible. I explored new movement pathways based on shifts in emotion, tempo, and body parts leading the movement. For example, starting a movement phrase with the head instead of the feet totally changed the flow. Identifying feelings mid-movement—like sudden hesitation or a burst of energy—helped me express metaphors more clearly. It was exciting (and a little intimidating) to realize that there’s never one “right” choice in improvisation. The more I practiced, the more confident I became in trusting whatever response emerged.

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Question 4: Response to Waves – Contemporary Dance Improvisation Video
a) Which movements resonate with you? Why?

 
The rolling, fluid torso waves really resonated with me. They felt so organic and unforced, almost like breathing made visible. I appreciated how the dancers used momentum and gravity to create seamless transitions rather than abrupt stops. It reminded me that improvisation can be continuous even when the dynamics shift.

b) Would you use them as alternative movement choices? Why?

 
Yes, absolutely. I would use these wave-like movements as alternatives because they offer a way to stay connected to breath and flow, especially during moments when I might otherwise freeze or overthink. Incorporating rolling motions could help me stay more physically and emotionally fluid during my final improvisation.

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Final Reflection:

 
Working on rehearsal in improvisation taught me that preparation doesn't kill spontaneity—it enriches it. Exploring multiple options gave me a deeper vocabulary of movement, while also helping me remain open to what the moment might demand. Blanche Evan’s methodology encouraged me to see rehearsal not as restriction, but as freedom: the more I prepared my sensitivity to possibilities, the more genuinely I could dance in real time.

 

 

  Gigi Mangieri

1. As a dancer, for years I have practiced rehearsing dance. Oftentimes, it would be in preparation for a competition or recital. I believe practice helps refine movement and create a true masterpiece of art. 

2. After watching the video, I can recognize the similarities I have with these dancers. It truly takes repetition to hear all the different sounds and feelings the music has. It also takes time to put together a performance that displays the message you are trying to tell.

3. When trying to mindfully choose the movement I wanted to present, I wanted to make sure I did not overthink the phrase I was creating because I wanted it to strictly be my emotions taking over my body.

4. I resonate with the flowy movements. My favorite style of dance is contemporary which involves a lot of flow, so when I dance I like to incorporate moves like that in my dances.