Inside the calm, quiet space of Chapin's Black Box Theatre, a small group of girls are creating something uniquely beautiful.
Upper School Dance Ensemble, a FOCUS elective open to advanced dancers in Classes 10-12, is a course that offers students the chance to dig deep into the fascinating world of choreography. Led by Head of the Chapin Dance Department Sarah Rutledge, Dance Ensemble attracts creative students who are looking for a profound experience and the chance to perform as a group at the spring Dance Club concert.
"The creative process – the journey – is so meaningful to the students in so many ways. In fact, it's just as meaningful as the final product, and sometimes even more so," Ms. Rutledge explained.
The first few weeks of the course were focused on improvisation and composition exercises, allowing the students to build trust, understand each other's personal movement styles, and create a strong group dynamic.
"As a group, we have to trust one another before we can create something together," Ms. Rutledge remarked.
The students took turns selecting music the rest of the group had never heard before, and together they created thoughtful, on-the-spot choreography. Selections varied from the beautifully orchestral opening to the film The Theory of Everything to the unique and upbeat Ben Fold's song "Capable of Anything." Using both stationary and locomotor movements, the girls danced together, each doing their own unique movements, yet unified by the tone of the music.
"Since the song selections are a surprise, the girls don't know what's coming next or when the song is ending. It really forces them to be hyperaware of what's happening in the moment," Ms. Rutledge commented.
"I go into this place in my head where the music tells a story and the story inspires my movements," one student noted.
As the songs concluded, the group gathered together on the floor and reviewed video footage of their improvised dances on an iPad. They took turns sharing honest thoughts and emotions about what they saw.
"I really have no recollection of doing this," one student stated.
"That's good!" replied Ms. Rutledge. "That means that you really felt the music and let your body go."
In the second part of class, the students learned how text can be used as inspiration for movement.
The girls were instructed to bring a copy of a piece of writing that they liked. Their selections were thoughtful and varied:
1) "Fireflies in the Garden" by Robert Frost
2) A scene from the film "500 Days of Summer"
3) "Poem 303" by Emily Dickinson
4) The lyrics to the Taylor Swift song "Innocent"
5) A scene from the film "Kiki's Delivery Service"
"Now I want you to study your chosen text, not analytically but creatively," Ms. Rutledge explained. "You're going to find inspiration for your choreography by completing a word association exercise. Start from a literal place and move from there."
The students carefully read through their chosen texts and selected five words that they felt jumped off the page. These special words would be used to inspire the movements in their choreography.
"Don't overthink. Just let it flow," Ms. Rutledge urged.
This idea of letting go and doing what feels right in the moment is a theme that runs though the entire Dance Ensemble course and creates a safe space where the girls can create and explore without fear of judgment or failure. "It's a great place to air out creative ideas and draw inspiration from one another," Ms. Rutledge proudly explained. "These girls are so willing to experiment and try new things."
As the girls performed their short, text-inspired choreography for the class, their fellow students applauded in a show of support and shared how each performance made them feel.
"I got chills. It was so powerful, I could almost feel pain," one student observed. "I didn't want it to end," said another.
This in-depth improvisational work was all done in preparation for their return from winter recess, when Ms. Rutledge began leading the group in the creation of choreography for their April performance.
"When I come up with the performance theme, I'm influenced by things going on in my life as well as things that are happening in the world. The students influence a lot of it as well. We all really work together," Ms. Rutledge explained. "We brainstorm and collaborate and eventually cobble something together, like a puzzle."
The strong background the Dance Ensemble students have established in improvisation has brought them closer as a group and helps to generate ideas during the choreography process. As they begin assembling their performance for the upcoming Dance Club concert, these talented girls are excited to see the beauty they can create together.
Click HERE to see photos.
Watch a video of the Dance Ensemble's improv dance to "Capable of Anything" below: