• DESCRIBE YOUR EXPERIENCE - FREE WRITE
My experience with VICKI was one like no other. Previously in my short dance career, or rather mere training, I have not taken any improvisation classes. Accustomed to being given a combination or choreography, VICKI really challenged my perceptions of dance, how my body moves, and how I respond to my body at VICKI’s commands. It was a great training program that allowed me as a dancer to think outside the box. I never realized how one word or command could be expressed in so many ways. Also, I realized how I’ve grown too codependent on the combinations and choreography of others. It was a pleasure learning what movements I and my body enjoy expressing. I hope to work with VICKI in the near future.
• EXPLAIN HOW THE COMMANDS AFFECTED YOU.
Initially, the commands were very overwhelming. I never realized how simple words or commands could create such mental tension. Words like “hand” or “arc” were said by VICKI. In that moment, what did that word mean? Yes, I have hands, but how to move them? “Arc.” Does that mean my body arcs in the space or does that mean a single body part is isolated in the shape of an arc? The possibilities were endless. As more time was spent with VICKI, the tension and over analyzation of VICKI’s simple commands decreased as I began to explore my possibilities. It became more of an adventure, hence the concept of improvisation was discovered during this program. VICKI’s commands were great for direction. It kept me focused and concentrated on my body, yet free enough to just let my body journey into the multifarious manipulations of the word.
• HOW DID THE WORDING OF THE COMMANDS STIMULATE YOU?
The wording of the commands simulated me to explore the many different ways of movement. It made me really think outside- the- box as to how the word should be interpreted in my dance movement. The wording stimulated a curiosity in my movements.
• DID YOU FEEL SUCCESSFUL? IF SO WHEN? PLEASE EXPLAIN.
At the end of the exercise I felt successful. I felt successful in being able to create movement that was an expression of me. Although no great works were produced during this time, I felt like the time spent with VICKI was successful by being able to teach me more about my dancing and my body.
DID YOU FEEL UNSUCCESSFUL? IF SO WHEN? PLEASE EXPLAIN.
Initially, I felt unsuccessful. I felt unsuccessful in being able to move, to just let my body be free in expressing itself, under VICKI’s guide. The reason why I felt this was because I was analyzing the words and the situation too much. I had so many ideas about a single word or command that I would have trouble choosing which movement to display. Once I realized how tense and hesitant I was to move, I let my body go by displaying the movement that I felt was appropriate in response to that word/command. The feeling of not being successful faded and I finally was processing my movement along with instruction.
• DID ANYTHING FEEL COMFORTABLE OR FAMILIAR TO YOU?
The atmosphere in the studio was familiar and comfortable. Smaller, more confined movements felt comfortable and familiar because I had a sense of control over them.
• HOW DID YOU RESPOND?
I allowed my comfort to hinder me from further expansion in my movements. In short, I was afraid to step out of my comfort zone.
• DID ANYTHING FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE OR UNFAMILIAR?
Once VICKI asked for me to expand my movement I felt uncomfortable. I couldn’t consistently just let my body go.
• HOW DID YOU RESPOND?
I confined and limited my movement to only a small circle of space around me.
• DID YOU HAVE ANY DISCOVERIES?
I discovered how insecure I am about my movement; almost embarrassed to express myself for whatever reason. I particularly noticed this when I “performed” all of the phrases I put together. My movement hardly left stage right! I also discovered that there are countless ways to interpret words and commands. I think that is one of the most exciting things about dance as art: there is always more to explore.
• HOW DID FEEL YOUR TECHNIQUE WAS OR WAS NOT SUPPORTIVE FOR YOU?
My technique was supportive because it gave me a base of movements to wor
• HOW DID YOUR PHYSICAL EXPERIENCE COMPARE TO THAT OF A TECHNIQUE CLASS?
Using VICKI, my physical experience was what I made it. This program, when used to its fullest potential, can justifiably be considered equal to a technique’s level of physical endurance.
• DID THE COMMAND SEQUENCING LEAD YOU TO DISCOVER SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR TECHNIQUE? Yes. I learned that overall, I have a lot to learn in each of these areas listed below.
o MOVEMENT VOCABULARY? CHOREOGRAPHIC PALETTE?
o TEACHING?
o IMPROVISING?
• WOULD YOU CHANGE ANYTHING ABOUT YOUR PERFORMANCE? Yes. I would like to change a lot about my performance. More specifically, I would like to make the most of my space instead of confining it to one place. Also, I would like to add more dynamics or emotional quality into each of the phrases.
• HOW WOULD YOU CHANGE VICKI TO MAKE YOUR EXPERIENCE EASIER? Perhaps you could have different speeds or levels that gradually increase or become more difficult with each passing time.
RESPONSES: Thank you for a great experience with VICKI. This program is great for dancers of all levels. I highly recommend it to anyone who would like to expand their horizons in improvisation, dance, choreography, etc.
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• DESCRIBE YOUR EXPERIENCE - FREE WRITE
My experience with VICKI was one like no other. Previously in my short dance career, or rather mere training, I have not taken any improvisation classes. Accustomed to being given a combination or choreography, VICKI really challenged my perceptions of dance, how my body moves, and how I respond to my body at VICKI’s commands. It was a great training program that allowed me as a dancer to think outside the box. I never realized how one word or command could be expressed in so many ways. Also, I realized how I’ve grown too codependent on the combinations and choreography of others. It was a pleasure learning what movements I and my body enjoy expressing. I hope to work with VICKI in the near future.
• EXPLAIN HOW THE COMMANDS AFFECTED YOU.
Initially, the commands were very overwhelming. I never realized how simple words or commands could create such mental tension. Words like “hand” or “arc” were said by VICKI. In that moment, what did that word mean? Yes, I have hands, but how to move them? “Arc.” Does that mean my body arcs in the space or does that mean a single body part is isolated in the shape of an arc? The possibilities were endless. As more time was spent with VICKI, the tension and over analyzation of VICKI’s simple commands decreased as I began to explore my possibilities. It became more of an adventure, hence the concept of improvisation was discovered during this program. VICKI’s commands were great for direction. It kept me focused and concentrated on my body, yet free enough to just let my body journey into the multifarious manipulations of the word.
• HOW DID THE WORDING OF THE COMMANDS STIMULATE YOU?
The wording of the commands simulated me to explore the many different ways of movement. It made me really think outside- the- box as to how the word should be interpreted in my dance movement. The wording stimulated a curiosity in my movements.
• DID YOU FEEL SUCCESSFUL? IF SO WHEN? PLEASE EXPLAIN.
At the end of the exercise I felt successful. I felt successful in being able to create movement that was an expression of me. Although no great works were produced during this time, I felt like the time spent with VICKI was successful by being able to teach me more about my dancing and my body.
DID YOU FEEL UNSUCCESSFUL? IF SO WHEN? PLEASE EXPLAIN.
Initially, I felt unsuccessful. I felt unsuccessful in being able to move, to just let my body be free in expressing itself, under VICKI’s guide. The reason why I felt this was because I was analyzing the words and the situation too much. I had so many ideas about a single word or command that I would have trouble choosing which movement to display. Once I realized how tense and hesitant I was to move, I let my body go by displaying the movement that I felt was appropriate in response to that word/command. The feeling of not being successful faded and I finally was processing my movement along with instruction.
• DID ANYTHING FEEL COMFORTABLE OR FAMILIAR TO YOU?
The atmosphere in the studio was familiar and comfortable. Smaller, more confined movements felt comfortable and familiar because I had a sense of control over them.
• HOW DID YOU RESPOND?
I allowed my comfort to hinder me from further expansion in my movements. In short, I was afraid to step out of my comfort zone.
• DID ANYTHING FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE OR UNFAMILIAR?
Once VICKI asked for me to expand my movement I felt uncomfortable. I couldn’t consistently just let my body go.
• HOW DID YOU RESPOND?
I confined and limited my movement to only a small circle of space around me.
• DID YOU HAVE ANY DISCOVERIES?
I discovered how insecure I am about my movement; almost embarrassed to express myself for whatever reason. I particularly noticed this when I “performed” all of the phrases I put together. My movement hardly left stage right! I also discovered that there are countless ways to interpret words and commands. I think that is one of the most exciting things about dance as art: there is always more to explore.
• HOW DID FEEL YOUR TECHNIQUE WAS OR WAS NOT SUPPORTIVE FOR YOU?
My technique was supportive because it gave me a base of movements to wor
• HOW DID YOUR PHYSICAL EXPERIENCE COMPARE TO THAT OF A TECHNIQUE CLASS?
Using VICKI, my physical experience was what I made it. This program, when used to its fullest potential, can justifiably be considered equal to a technique’s level of physical endurance.
• DID THE COMMAND SEQUENCING LEAD YOU TO DISCOVER SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR TECHNIQUE? Yes. I learned that overall, I have a lot to learn in each of these areas listed below.
o MOVEMENT VOCABULARY? CHOREOGRAPHIC PALETTE?
o TEACHING?
o IMPROVISING?
• WOULD YOU CHANGE ANYTHING ABOUT YOUR PERFORMANCE? Yes. I would like to change a lot about my performance. More specifically, I would like to make the most of my space instead of confining it to one place. Also, I would like to add more dynamics or emotional quality into each of the phrases.
• HOW WOULD YOU CHANGE VICKI TO MAKE YOUR EXPERIENCE EASIER? Perhaps you could have different speeds or levels that gradually increase or become more difficult with each passing time.
RESPONSES: Thank you for a great experience with VICKI. This program is great for dancers of all levels. I highly recommend it to anyone who would like to expand their horizons in improvisation, dance, choreography, etc.
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