This week’s progress report.
Over the past couple of weeks we have held two auditions. The auditioning process is fraught for all involved. From my side as the director it forces me to examine who my ideal dancer is and how far away from ideal can a dancer be and still be a good match for MUV? On the side of the women who come in to audition there can be anxiety about the whole process including wondering are we looking for a specific “type” or “look” to apprehension about what they will be asked to do? Auditions are kind of like a blind date and the SAT mashed up into one uncomfortable, physically strenuous encounter. I try to run the MUVauditions in as low key and humane a way as possible. I guess I am succeeding because I often get thank you notes and feedback that our auditions are actually, “fun!” This cycle of auditions attracted a wonderfully varied group of 20 or so women a handful of whom we have invited to join us and a good number of others who we certainly could have invited. The decision to invite or not is never easy and is often as much about vibe as it is about training, experience or choreographic recall. Rehearsals resume later this month and I can’t wait to introduce you to the newest members of MUV.
Obviously this blog was born this week, it is another part of my ongoing plan to stay better connected and grow up a village around the UrbanVillage. I am also taking a three week workshop called Strategies for Internet Outreach taught by Jaki Levy of www.arrowrootmedia.com and offered by my favorite artist service organization, the field. I expect that I will learn many useful things in this workshop including how to make this blog so gorgeous and wonderful that you will all want to read it.
On the creative front I am working on a solo… I am confessing it here because now I will have all who are reading this wondering and watching and waiting for the evidence of my efforts to be revealed. I am developing it in a fieldwork group and in my journal and on random subway platforms (I often get this strange urge to dance while waiting for the subway…). Beyond that I think the less said about it the better because it is still very young and I have a few different ideas and themes kicking around. Wish me luck!
peaceLOVElight
Shalewa
