A Full Week!

This day marks the end of a fabulously full week, of teaching, creating, planning and absorbing!

I have officially begun to teach my classes at HPU this semester, and they are going rather well, if I may say so! My tap class is HUGE, and has every experience level from nil to proficient. I have to admit that the first day of classes, I was thoroughly intimidated by this group of students. Though I had over-prepared for my first lesson, I found myself changing up my plans to fit what I was seeing from the students. I observed as some of my on-the-spot experiments went differently than I had intended. So, given that experience, I returned to my class on our second day of class with a slightly different game plan, and it went beautifully! We worked a little slower and with more pointed focus on the little things. The students seemed to really enjoy it, too. My contemporary class, which happens just after the tap class comes to me as a breath of fresh air. After the many bodies and cacophony of sound, my quiet group of only seven students provides a chance for me to settle down, and return to my teaching comfort zone. The students in this class are all on a similar skill level, which makes my job much easier than the tap class.

Earlier in the week, I continue to plan for our film premiere event. Michael, the curator at SECCA and I discuss how to set the mood for our event. We are having a 1950's themed event, given the 1950's styling of our new film, "Kitchen Table." We talk about how we might decorate, and how we should encourage patrons to dress the part! We discuss some 50's themed party activities, and I speak with Laura to plan a 50's song list. I think this event is going to be a blast! Now, we've just got to get the editing done!

This afternoon, I work on material for Laura's Bach, Beatles and Beer concert that will happen early next month. I have a hard time keeping my mind on one thing at a time, so I decide to give myself some parameters in keeping with the theme of the piece, which is based on the concept of "a gift." More specifically, the gift that a teacher gives a student, which I am making in honor of one of Laura's most beloved teachers. I have decided to take a bit of a literal approach, and use a beautiful box as a prop for the piece. The parameters are as follows:

1. I must keep the box in my hands until further notice.

2. I may not color outside the lines (this parameter give that I will have a limited amount of space in the performance venue).

3. I can peak, but only once.

Given these parameters, I begin to generate material, and am looking forward to continuing my exploration tomorrow.

To sum up my art activities this week, I attend a work-in-progress showing of a fellow NCSA alum, Helen Simoneau. Her work is at first contemplative and hypnotic, then expands into precise physical encounters of tension, tenderness and play. I always enjoy seeing what other artists are working on, and realizing how many different view points there are regarding choreography, performance and its significance.

I am looking forward to going to bed, and having the weekend off! My first in what feels like years.

Until next time!

~Cara