How to get and give the input you need to grow your dancing, choreography, and the art form?
I am pleased to announce a special dance criticism workshop taking place at:
West Hawai’i Dance Theatre in Kailua-Kona, Hawai’i
& online on Zoom
Wednesday, April 30th
6:4–7:40pm
Register at whdt.org
Classy Critique
This workshop will equip dancers and choreographers with tools to distinguish constructive, empowering criticism, helping them dodge hate and instead appreciate and advocate for performing arts.
Practice describing and evaluating dance works in a way that supports creative growth, develops artistic voice, and draws audiences.
Dodging Hate
We need feedback from others to learn and improve as dancers and choreographers, but often we are told to have a “thick skin” and expect harsh judgement of our dances and dancing. Some of this input may be helpful, some destructive. Especially online, we may encounter trolls who do not have our best interests in mind.
The skills of seeking and providing input about dancers and dancing that builds skill and artistry rather than tearing them down are learnable!
Apply specific and productive comments, let disempowering words roll off like water from a duck’s back.
Advocating Dance
Our aim is to offer and get criticism that accurately and evocatively describes the performance and it’s impact on the audience. Frameworks such as The Field’s Fieldwork structure, Liz Lehrmann’s Critical Response Process, Coaching Tools, and the Feldman Model of Criticism can support our dancing and dancemaking.
Rich words reflecting back our experiences of dance can help artists create their vision more effectively. We can also provide reviews of dance works which promote the art of dance and grow audiences.
Workshop Structure
In this workshop, dancers will learn tools to solicit, evaluate, and provide high-quality critique, practice distinctions, and come away with supportive structures that can be applied to future dancemaking.
Workshop Host
The Fine Feedback workshop will be hosted by Blythe C. Stephens, MFA in Dance, Certified Coaching Graduate, YTT200, Bliss Catalyst & Creator of A Blythe Coach.
Hawai’i-raised and Cologne, Germany-based, Blythe collaborates with students and clients in-studio and online and would love to connect on social media @ablythecoach They also offer valuable free resources on the A Blythe Coach YouTube Channel and weekly email newsletter.
Questions for Reflection
- What is the most impactful feedback you have received?
- How to evaluate input to determine whether and how to apply it to your dancing and/or choreography?
- How might we offer criticism in a way that promotes the development of artists and the performing arts?
For those of you outside Hawai’i or unable to tune in online, stay tuned for opportunities to participate in other locations, as well as further workshops and special events.
Thank you for reading, for being, and for dancing with me, in spirit or in fact!
Love,
Blythe Stephens, MFA & Bliss Catalyst
they/them or she/her
Creator of A Blythe Coach @ablythecoach
helping multi-passionate creatives dance through their difficulties,
taking leaps of faith into fulfillment through coaching, yoga & dance education