Classes & Information

Instructor: Helena Fernandino

In this workshop, we will take time to investigate boundaries from a unique perspective: our
body. Borders that we establish in the encounter with ourselves, with each other, with the
physical and social environment. To what extent are these micro borders influenced by
territorial, cultural, social macro borders? To what extent are these micro borders causing
macro borders? The body, understood as a pair body-mind: micro, but perhaps the most
relevant aspect to understand boundaries in a macro sense.

Reflecting on the subject matters of body borders, identity and communication, we will be
analyzing boarders between the private, the public and the social space. How questioning the
one own limits can open a reflection about borders in meeting the other.

The workshop will be divided into technical classes and choreographic composition. Starting
especially from explorations of movement based on Body Mind CenteringTM, we will revisit
technical exercises, seeking an organic and conscious execution of the movement. To the
movement inputs will be added for artistic creation and composition. Both movement and
composition, aiming to offer a safe place for each one’s unique artistic expression.

Instructor: Yo-El Cassell

“Dance like nobody’s watching.” -Satchel Paige

Like an instrument, the body is an expressive channel for our inner landscape—our thoughts, our imagination, our intentions and our sensations. When we move, we reveal.

Based on the J.O.Y Technique developed by Yo-EL Cassell, Head of Movement at Boston University School of Theatre, this dance practicum will treat each practitioner’s body as the solution to embrace a Journey Of Youth mindset allowing each practitioner to begin with their curiosity to embrace their creative and imaginative potential.

Fusing a variety of different movement/dance approaches—mostly via the mindset of a child, the practicum—with live music- will be structured like a creative lab broken up into the following components:

The Curiosity Warm-Up:
This component will be a warm-up opening up stream of consciousness/awareness and activating the body to support as an expressive instrument—building mind, body connection, alignment, suppleness, centeredness as well as being off-balance, musicality (visualizing the music), and dynamic clarity—focusing on bringing attention to one’s inner thoughts and channeling.

The Creative Component:
Inspired by the process of Creative Doodling, much like a child working at playing, this component will allow the practitioner to embrace their instrument like an instrumentalist, curiously following creative prompts to unlock their creative potential.

The Imaginative Coda:
Fusing elements explored in practicum, particularly from discoveries made during the creative component; the practitioners will collaborate in a rehearsal developmental process of creating a piece for presentation.

The progression of the practicum throughout the process will follow a 3 E’s and a D progression—Engaging the body, Exploring the potential of the body, Enriching possibilities of the body to invite more specificity and Discovering the inner instrumentalist.

“Everything in life has a rhythm, everything dances.”-Maya Angelou

“Dance is the only art of which we ourselves are the stuff of which it is made.”– Ted Shawn