25 words or less

OMG I have 8 followers on my blog!
It's been two years maybe, nearly.
That must be a record he he he.
Of course it's not about approval of the masses, it's about having something to say.
I know that!
I'm sure I know that???
Well in any case, what can I possibly say that's new to 8 people who have already read some of this blog. What can I add to a blog about a show that is waiting for it's next gig?

Well, how about 'Hello'?
How are you?
I hope this finds you well.
I'm sorry I haven't blogged for a while, so here's what's been happening:

I finished my cert 4 in vocational training and assessing - something I am also planning to do between gigs.
I trained a danceskill course to WA teachers and am now the only qualified person in wa to do so...
I had a development of new work earlier in the year and out of it came three potential works all connected to the main idea which is, in 25 words or less, about - "What it's like to stand in front of a mountain of learning and not at first cope..."
Part of that theme was explored in a way that is in fact an old teaching practice of mine where I bind the body in abnormal ways to change the experience of it as a performer...
Been doing it for 20 years, think it's about time I called it something, how about The Berlyn Method? LOL
Maybe not. Not yet anyways!

Anyhoo, from the development showing, 'Held Up' came an idea and the opportunity to make a duet for two dancers using this 'method'. I should clarify this by saying that I have used this restraint technique in class and workshop situations for performers since 1990 but only recently have I started to use it in performance.
So I'm making a work, 'Shackle' for the Strut's Short Cuts season: new contemporary dance works at King Street Arts Centre, see strutdance.org.au
What's it about?
25 words or less: retraining the body in rehearsal and performance, as a way to make, modify and perform choreography...
The season at KSAC is almost sold out, yay!
No freebies peeps, box office is how dancers are getting paid.

So I'm trying to finish my piece b4 I go off to Sydney for a month to make a work with a choreographer there Sue. That gig came out of my trip to APAM. She is actually an old dance lecturer of mine from uni (last century) and Tawdry gave her a very long appointment at APAM. (So fun, thanks Sue! Oh that's right, she's not one of my special 8 ;-) )

I've been really enjoying working with Stefan and Russell; amazing dancers/collaborators.
I think it's been going pretty well, but one of them has come down crook, he didn't sound at all well today. Get well!
Think I'm now officially running out of time.
I'm leaving for Sydney next week, which is two weeks b4 the season so the work has to be finished.
And I will need to reschedule rehearsals but studios are rare as coz it's
Short Cuts and it's bigger than Ben Hur this year, and everyone is making a work.
Hence no spare studios, nor dancers for that matter.

The other two shows out of the development are in meeting and planning stage but have had some good response to the ideas thus far.

What else?
Finally, did my tax and paid a chunk off the evil credit card debt, but I'm still getting air con for flat. Yahooooo!
I'll be stuffed if im doing summer here again without it, and it already feels like it's gonna be a long hot one this year too.

BF has a puppy Beau... Tox I have bonded and he knows it. Dunno if he cares. Beau that is.

Did some grant-writing training for some emerging dance artists and went on about being able to simply and clearly articulate their practices. "If you can't say it in 25 words of less then how are you gonna keep track of the basics, let alone make something that others can feasibly get a grasp of in one viewing?"
It seems clearer to me with each thing I try to make or on each project where I am a collaborator that it's easy to do it badly, really easy. Much harder to do it well. Being clear about what it is I'm trying to do, seems to give me a better shot and making something or doing it well and if not well then, to the best of my abilities.
Doesn't guarantee it by any means, but it helps massively.
So my 8 trusty readers, give it a whirl sometime. Try saying to yourself this: "In 25 words or less, what the hell am I trying to do here?"
Enjoy!
TH