Today was an exciting day! We started off this morning with a Gaga class led by Douglas Letheren and then learned repertory from one of his favorite pieces; continuing what we worked on yesterday. What an awesome way to begin these chilly mornings. Something that Douglas has brought up more than once is the idea of "falling" and how we can use this feeling of falling to float. Floating is used often when practicing Gaga and instead of always thinking of the up floating sensation we can use this falling into the float idea. Some food for thought!
The day ended with a pow with our guest Ayo Jackson! Ayo received her BFA at North Carolina School of the Arts and was a former member of the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company. She has accomplished so much in her life and is still yet to continue on in her career! She brought so much laughter and joy into the room with her big smile, warm and welcoming heart, her passion for dance, and can not forget her rockin' music (BEYONCE). Definitely a good day!

Off to a great start!

All I can say is these two weeks are going to be phenomenal. Today we had our first GaGa class and after students participated in a Q&A to chat a little with Doug Letheren himself. Here are a couple of the ideas and terms he shared with the class today...

• Roping arms
• Snake of spine
• Full Cross- cross of two diagonals through the body
• Lala (lay-lah) the connection between the finger tips and heart 
• Groove- a force/ connected to passion to move but more playful/ connection to sexuality
• Natural generosity you have with your body

Below are a few pictures from Repertory. Enjoy!

"Gaga challenges multi-layer tasks. 
We are aware of the connection between effort and pleasure, we are aware of the distance between our body parts, we are aware of the friction between flesh and bones, we sense the weight of our body parts, yet, our form is not shaped by gravity... we are aware of where we hold unnecessary tension, we let go only to bring life and efficient movement to where we let go . . . We are turning on the volume of listening to our body, we appreciate small gestures, we are measuring and playing with the texture of our flesh and skin, we might be silly, we can laugh at ourselves. We connect to the sense of  "plenty of time”, especially when we move fast, We learn to love our sweat, we discover our passion to move and connect it to effort, We discover both the animal we are and the power of our imagination. we are "body builders with soft spine". We learn to appreciate understatement and exaggeration, We become more delicate and we recognize the importance of the flow of energy and information through our body in all directions. we learn to apply our force in an efficient way and we learn to use "other" forces. 
We discover the advantage of soft flesh and sensitive hands, we learn to connect to groove even when there is no music. We are aware of people in the room and we realize that we are not in the center of it all. We become more aware of our form since we never look at ourselves in a mirror; there are no mirrors. We connect to the sense of the endlessness of possibilities. 
Yielding is constant while we are ready to snap...
We explore multi-dimensional movement, we enjoy the burning sensation in our muscles, we are aware of our explosive power and sometimes we use it. We change our movement habits by finding new ones, we can be calm and alert at once. 
We become available . . ."

 - Ohad Naharin

Dance Study Cycles 2014 Winter Intensive Begins!

New Information Update!

Just Added: Gaga Open Studio Class Option

We invite professional dancers and non-UArts students in the Philadelphia area to join a series of specific Gaga Open Studio classes taking place during the Dance Study Cycles Winter Intensive. 

This Gaga class option includes eight non-credit sessions as follows, led by Douglas Letheren:
 

Monday, January 6	11:15 am - 12:30 pm
Tuesday, January 7	9:15 am - 10:30 am
Thursday, January 9	11:15 am - 12:30 pm
Friday, January 10	9:15 am - 10:30 am
Monday, January 13	11:15 am - 12:30 pm
Tuesday, January 14	9:15 am - 10:30 am
Thursday, January 16	11:15 am - 12:30 pm
Friday, January 17	11:15 am - 12:30 pm

Cost is $250 for the eight class series. Register online or submit the CE Spring 2014 Registration Form and note the course title: DSC Gaga Open Studio Series with payment in full.

Winter 2014 Intensive featuring Gaga and repertory focus led by Douglas Letheren

January 5 - 17, 2014 / Philadelphia

UArts Dance Study Cycles Winter 2014 Intensive is a uniquely focused cycle featuring Gaga and repertory led byDouglas Letheren (member of Ohad Naharin’s Batsheva Dance Company 2008-2012 and current member of Sharon Eyal’s company), alongside additional daily studio practice, conversations with artists and a culminating  showing of the Gaga repertory. Taking place at UArts, in the heart of Center City Philadelphia, UArts Dance Study Cycles Winter 2014 will be led by a team of internationally recognized artists including Doug Letheren,  Jesse Zaritt, Ayo Janeen Jackson, Ricardo Zayas and additional guest artists. Designed to provide individual mentorship alongside rigorous study, the strength of the UArts Dance Study Cycles is in its focused experiential study and capacity to serve artists with a program that truly moves, both in the studio and in the world. 
 

FEES

Tuition	$820
Program Fee	$55

Fees are used towards student activities, receptions, program support, performances, guest speakers, and other related activities.
 

Enrollment is limited.

HOW TO APPLY

Young artists who pursue the UArts Dance Study Cycles Winter 2014 Intensive must demonstrate a level of maturity indicating readiness for professional level work through the following required materials:

• Completed application form *
• Headshot or Photo
• Resume

For applicants who are not UArts students or alumni:

• Video link (3 minutes maximum, private YouTube of Vimeo link of applicant dancing)
   

NOTE: Applications are still being accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis for the two-week Winter Intensive. Acceptance is subject to space availability. Application items should be submitted to: ce@uarts.edu 
 

*Older software may not allow the writeable PDF of the application form to be saved. If you are having difficulty download the non-writeable application form
 

Application Deadline:  November 22, 2013

Acceptance Notification:  November 25, 2013

Tuition Due in full:  December 13, 2013
 

Affordable local housing options are available to accepted students. UArts does not provide housing on campus. 
 

Credits

UArts students seeking to earn 2 credits for this program should contact Bren Thomas in the School of Dance.

Phone: 215.717.6577

Email: bthomas@uarts.edu

SAMPLE DAILY SCHEDULE

9:15 am - 10:30 am	Gaga
10:45 am - 12:45 pm	Gaga Repertory
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm	Lunch
2:00 pm - 4/5:00 pm	Special Topic Workshop

New Information!

NEW APPLICATION DETAILS AND FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22ND DEADLINE!!!

VISIT THE DSC WEBSITE FOR UPDATED INFORMATION

http://cs.uarts.edu/dancecycles

Winter 2014 Intensive featuring Gaga and  repertory focus led by Douglas Letheren

January 5-17, 2014 / Philadelphia

UArts Dance Study Cycles Winter 2014 Intensive is a uniquely focused cycle featuring Gaga and repertory led byDouglas Letheren (member of Ohad Naharin’s Batsheva Dance Company 2008-2012 and current member of Sharon Eyal’s company), alongside additional daily studio practice, research and creation of choreographic work, conversations with artists, video viewings, critique sessions and a culminating studio showing. Taking place at UArts, in the heart of Center City Philadelphia, UArts Dance Study Cycles Winter 2014 will be led by a team of internationally recognized artistic mentors including Doug Letheren, Dawn Springer, Jonathan Windham, Jesse Zaritt  and additional guest artists TBA. Designed to provide individual mentorship alongside rigorous study,  the strength of the UArts Dance Study Cycles is in its focused experiential study and capacity to serve artists with a program that truly moves, both in the studio and in the world.  

ESTIMATED FEES

Tuition	$1500
Program Fee	$225

Enrollment is limited.

HOW TO APPLY

Young artists who pursue the UArts Dance Study Cycles Winter 2014 Intensive must demonstrate a level of maturity indicating readiness for professional level work through the following required materials:

• Completed application form
• Headshot or Photo
• Resume

For applicants who are not UArts students or alumni:

• Video link (3 minutes maximum, private YouTube of Vimeo link of applicant dancing)
   

Application items should be submitted to: ce@uarts.edu
 

Application Deadline:  November 22, 2013

Acceptance Notification:  November 25, 2013

Tuition Due in full:  December 13, 2013

Affordable local housing options are available to accepted students. UArts does not provide housing on campus.  For further details click here for a list of suggested housing options.

SAMPLE DAILY SCHEDULE

9:00 am - 11:00 am	Studio Practice
11:15 am - 1:15 pm	Studio Practice
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm	Lunch
2:30 pm - 3:45 pm	Improv/Comp or Special Topic Workshop
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm	Repertory/ Creative Lab
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm	Dinner

Evening sessions to include: participant rehearsals, showings + critique, as well as film screenings and discussions.

Dance Study Cycles: Winter Intensive 2014

We are at it again! The University of the Arts will be continuing the dance study cycles with a Winter opportunity!

Dance Study Cycles: WInter 2014

Winter 2014 Intensive featuring Gaga and  repertory focus led by Douglas Letheren

January 5-17, 2014 / Philadelphia

UArts Dance Study Cycles Winter 2014 Intensive is a uniquely focused cycle featuring Gaga and repertory led by Douglas Letheren (member of Ohad Naharin’s Batsheva Dance Company 2008-2012 and current member of Sharon Eyal’s company), alongside additional daily studio practice, research and creation of choreographic work, conversations with artists, video viewings, critique sessions and a culminating studio showing. Taking place at UArts, in the heart of Center City Philadelphia, UArts Dance Study Cycles Winter 2014 will be led by a team of internationally recognized artistic mentors including Doug Letheren, Dawn Springer,Jonathan Windham, Jesse Zaritt  and additional guest artists TBA. Designed to provide individual mentorship alongside rigorous study,  the strength of the UArts Dance Study Cyclesis in its focused experiential study and capacity to serve artists with a program that truly moves, both in the studio and in the world.  

 

ESTIMATED FEES

Tuition	$1500
Program Fee	$225

Enrollment is limited.

HOW TO APPLY

Young artists who pursue the Winter 2014 UArts Dance Study Cycles Winter 2014 Intensive must demonstrate a level of maturity indicating readiness for professional level work through the following required materials:

• Completed application form
• Statement of motivation
• Resume
• Headshot/Photo
• Video link (3 minutes maximum, private YouTube or Vimeo link)

Application items should be submitted to: ce@uarts.edu
 

Application Deadline:  November 8, 2013

Acceptance Notification:  November 15, 2013

Tuition Due in full:  December 6, 2013

Affordable local housing options are available to accepted students. For further details inquire with the Division of Continuing Studies.

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SAMPLE DAILY SCHEDULE

9:00 am - 11:00 am	Studio Practice
11:15 am - 1:15 pm	Studio Practice
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm	Lunch
2:30 pm - 3:45 pm	Improv/Comp or Special Topic Workshop
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm	Repertory/ Creative Lab
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm	Dinner

Evening sessions to include: participant rehearsals, showings + critique, as well as film screenings and discussions.

Process

Our time with Dance Study Cycles focused a great deal on the process rather than the product. Much of our days were spent in composition/improvisation classes that fostered the practice of arriving at an idea through a series of tasks. This method of choreography revolves around the notion that organically finding a movement pattern or set of gestures is often times more fruitful and almost always more rewarding. Susan Rethorst, a dance maker currently working with Group Motion Dance Company, emulates the idea of process rather than product. Susan undoubtedly provides a substantial product but while observing her methods in rehearsal and performance, since she has come to work in Philadelphia, has shown me this idea time and time again.

Here is a link to her work with Group Motion and some informative and thought provoking articles involving this same idea.
Susan Rethorst/Group Motion