The "Underscore" is a dance improvisation structure developed by Nancy Stark Smith. It has been evolving since 1990 and is practiced all over the globe.

What: Underscore

When: Thu 12/03 from 6-9pm

Where: German Cultural Center (230 Plymouth St.)

Cost: $15-$30 sliding scale

The Underscore is a vehicle for incorporating Contact Improvisation into a broader arena of improvisational dance practice; for developing greater ease dancing in spherical space—alone and with others; and for integrating kinesthetic and compositional concerns while improvising. It allows for a full spectrum of energetic and physical expressions, embodying a range of forms and changing states. Its practice is familiar yet unpredictable.

The practice progresses through a broad range of dynamic states, including periods of very small, private, and quiet internal activity and other times of higher energy and interactive dancing.

There are some twenty possible phases which create a general map for the dancers. Within that frame, dancers are free to create their own movements, dynamics, and relationships—with themselves, each other, the group, the music, and the environment.

To participate in an Underscore, one should have some experience of Contact Improvisation and attend a talk-through of the Underscore if doing it for the first time, which often takes about an hour. Talk-throughs are done in-person, because there is an embodied transmission through the oral tradition. The Underscore is not led with verbal cues; the idea is that everyone has had the orientation and are coming together to learn, explore, andshare the practice. Participants come on time and stay for the duration of the event.

Note: For those very familiar with it, the talk-through is optional and you may arrive at 6:55pm.

Schedule:

6:00 Talk-through

7:00 Underscore

8:50 Closing Circle

9:00 Goodnight!

** If you've never done an Underscore before you MUST arrive at 6pm promptly for the talk-through!

Some basic contact experience is necessary. Please wear something comfortable to move in (no jeans, belt buckles, big jewelry, etc.) and bring a water bottle.