Workshop 1: Dance Choreography and Production
From Concept to Performance (Sharmila Biswas)
10-11 April, 10-12.30pm GMT/ 11am - 1.30pm BST
About
Choreography starts with a just a wish or a seed idea. It churns inside, gradually taking shapes, colours and expressions. Ancient texts and contemporary studies provide us with a guide when making dances.
The process of creating a dance piece or full production includes concept development, performance script, characterisation, creation of music and movements, use of sets and props, costume design and most importantly refining layers of interpretation.
We will take a short song of Rabindranath Thakur, interpret it by using texts to support us, add elements of Odishi, Carnatic and Hindustani Music, work on movements, props, and finally aim for a concrete shape.
This workshop will teach a step by step method for creating dance. While learning the skills, through interactions, each participant will create her own individual performance script, with details on theme, content, flow, layers, movements, space, music, props etc.
Participants will be given simple guiding notes, 48 hours before the workshop to chose themes and prepare.
Each participant leaves with a concrete shape of her own choreography, and lots of information for future use.
Dancers/actors from any style can participate.Participants will be given detailed notes, music and will be suggested simple simple props they can bring and work with.
the Artist
Sharmila Biswas is one of the most popular dancer, choreographer and teacher in the field of classical Indian dance. Most of her productions are based on research on traditional performing arts forms of Odisha, and on ancient texts. Through her dance she strives to connect the past with the present contemporary situations.
Her institution, Odissi Movement Vision, is one of the most well known for training research and performances. Sharmila, with her repertory company performs extensively in India and abroad. For her contribution to odissi dance, she has received the Presidential award in 2012.