Ponderosa Ongoing Research Collaboration Happenings
Kathleen Hermesdorf, Jen Polins, Abby Crain, Stephanie Maher, Peter Pleyer, Mike Vargas & Guests.
For the aspiring pro
fessional: dancers, improvisers, movement artists, and performers who are interested in a physical discourse engaging methods of contemporary dance training, somatic investigation and improvisational forms.
P.O.R.C.H. Module 1 is collaboratively facilitated by Stephanie Maher and Kathleen Hermesdorf, with weekly international guest artists. As co-curators, conspirators, teachers, and directors, Maher and Hermesdorf offer a contained, yet open structure for the serious practitioner.
The focus is on the body and contemporary movement forms, as well as the individual co-existing with others and in nature. The work is a bridge between classic and contemporary modalities that meets at the intersection of precision in technique and technology and freedom in improvisation and natural spaces. The practices are grounded in the body and it's intuition, inquiry and instincts, incorporating artistic and life/survival practices, professional development and theoretical concerns around embodiment. Each week, a guest teacher will also lead sessions, allowing us to explore a more broad range of perspectives on how we can experience the contemporary body in motion and in art making today, while also offering direct exchange in cultural and field research.
PORCH Module 1 is the longest and the most physically demanding. It requires an active body and eclectic mind to be available for all aspects of movement practices, as well as tracking yourself energetically and in relationship. It is an intensive survey of the body as informer, educator, author and medium, and provokes discussions and questions around life practice and embodiment, motion and performance. We are dancing, improvising and partnering 6-10 hours daily from Monday-Friday with evening discussions, jams, saunas, performances, gardening and countryside walks in between and on the weekends. We also undertake a work project that affects or influences the land and collective in Stolzenhagen. Each individual is expected to work at their full potential, understand their limits, and be prepared for spontaneous events during the 4 weeks.
Curriculum: Contemporary Release Techniques/ Somatics/ Contact Improvisation/Spontaneous Composition/Alignment/ Authentic Movement/ Voice /Klein Technique/Contemplative Practice/Image Making/Books into Moving / Partnering/Critical/ Yoga/Body Mind Centering/ Theory/Bodywork/States & Frequencies/Energy work/ Durational & Art Installations/Land/Work/Play/Site specific/ Theatrical Tasks & Games/Improvisation as a life tool/ Awareness of Social Manifestations/Partnering/Creative Process/Performance Actions/ Foreign Dialogues in Dance Theory/Networking/International Histories/ Understanding and Questioning Pedagogy /Diverging and Developing Feedback Dialogues/
This module provokes discussions and questions around life practice and embodiment, motion and performance. We create direct action. We affect the contemporary dance field around us and you will be taking part in the shaping of art in contemporary culture as well, by your participation.
P.O.R.C.H./AC honors the wisdom of experience in our intergenerational mentor program and inspires participants to learn communally and independently. Our international program and networking opportunities will give you many opportunities to discover new friendships, collaborations and a look into the contemporary art scene of Berlin.
P.O.R.C.H. collaborates with Alternative Conservatory for Module 1 via Kathleen Hermesdorf. She has been a part of Ponderosa & PORCH since their inceptions. Alternative Conservatory is a modular, mobile, immersive & intensive international training & meeting ground in dance & related forms. It is the educational aspect of la ALTERNATIVA, an apparatus for deeply integrated dance & music directed by Hermesdorf with Albert Mathias, based in San Francisco at KUNST-STOFF arts & offering intensives, workshops & encounters in SF, the US, Europe & Mexico.
P.O.R.C.H. / AC Guest Workshops:
Our guests teachers have some special requirements for the work they will be offering. We will have a clear working process for each class. If you are unsure if, from the experience you bring, you have the required skills for a particular guest workshop, we will discuss this with you and, if necessary, tailor a suitable alternative for you during a visiting guest workshop. In bringing in the Guest Workshops we allow a way to dialogue and get new input from outside visitors. Be prepared to deal with spontaneous events during our 4 week training program.
Module Schedule will be announced a month before.
To Apply Send CV and Letter of Interest to: info@ponderosa-dance.de
** P.O.R.C.H Training Module fee: 995 €, for Food and housing add 790€ **
** Registration before June 1st you receive 10% discount on the module fee!
Click here for more info about registration and payment details.
We highly recommend committing to all three P.O.R.C.H. Modules for an expansive range of body based techniques and compositional forms, to enliven your work as a performer, improviser or teacher.