Today I, along with several other bloggers, was invited to a studio rehearsal of Pascal Rioult’s The Great Mass, which will premiere at the Joyce Chelsea in two weeks. Set to Mozart’s Mass in C Minor, it looks like it will be really glorious. Today all the dancers were in workout clothes, and Rioult (who is from France, and a former Martha Graham dancer) gave them instructions, but I can’t wait to see the fully costumed final product onstage.
I really like these rehearsals and am so glad dance companies are inviting us to view the process. First to begin inviting (that I know of anyway) was Cedar Lake Contemporary Dance, then TAKE Dance, Elisa Monte Dance Co., now Rioult, and perhaps Dances Patrelle, upcoming in two weeks as well. The process of dance-making is, I feel, unlike the creation of any other art because of its collaborative nature, and I feel like being allowed into the process a bit allows me to understand the art form better. I wish choreographers would let us to watch even earlier on, when they’re very first conceiving a work! As long as my schedule is flexible, I love coming to these things. I feel like Edwin Denby watching Balanchine! 🙂
Anyway, more to come on Rioult as soon as their season begins in two weeks. In the meantime, visit their website for info and a video of his dance set to Maurice Ravel music.
It's always reminded me of focus groups in marketing. If you're going to put a product out there for the public to scrutinize, wouldn't you want some opinions first? Inviting bloggers to rehearsal is like free feedback! I always think about this when I see really bad choreography. Someone could have stopped it with some really honest opinions.
Although I guess this is different b/c they're not really asking for your opinions. I think it does foster a sense of appreciation for the art form, which may lead to a greater appreciation for the art (and possibly nicer reviews 🙂 ).
Thanks for the comment, Jolene. Somehow it went to spam without even alerting me (via email) that it was there. Disqus!!! I totally agree — it can in a way lead to pre-performance feedback, and it does allow people a way of understanding the work and getting a closer perspective on it. I can't imagine it would be harmful to let bloggers view, although I guess it might be distracting at times… I personally promise to be quiet 🙂
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Im from Turkey ?n istanbul I myself am a dance teacher in this dance was very successful good successes that I love to dance with everyone always dance
I love you Dance Dance my life