Course Components, Paris Summer Program
Students enroll in a month-long, 3-6 credit course entitled "Dance and Culture in
Paris." This course is designed as an immersion in Parisian culture from the point
of view of the dancer. The course is divided into three major components: technique,
composition and history.
Students are exposed to a variety of technique classes each weekday from modern to
ballet to yoga, as well as classes in physical theatre, improvisation and choreography
depending on the summer鈥檚 particular faculty and course offerings.
The purpose of the afternoon choreographic workshops (le d茅rive 鈥� "the drift") is
to foster an understanding between the choreographer and the urban landscape: What
kinds of inspirational materials can be used in choreography? What kinds of images
can be distilled into gestures or phrase work? How does the urban landscape inspire
different movement choices? How does the 鈥渉istory鈥� of a certain location influence
one鈥檚 choreographic choices?
Students visit specific Parisian neighborhoods and explore the architecture, ambience
and sub-culture of that area, and transform their observations into a short piece
of solo choreography. Among the areas students will be investigating: P猫re Lachaise
Cemetery, 脦le St. Louis, Montmartre, the Marais, Viaduct des Arts, the Latin Quarter,
Les Halles, the Passages, and the Canal St. Martin.
Students are given studio time to work on their choreographic projects, as well as
receiving feedback from the faculty. The purpose of the studio time is to create a
short study/piece of choreography based on students鈥� observations, assigned readings,
field work, personal journals and sensations. The final pieces are performed in an
informal setting to an invited audience.
Seminars are conducted by faculty member Madison Mainwaring to contextualize some
of the historical and social lenses with which students experience dance in France.
These seminars will require students to participate in the conversation of ideas around
race, gender, aesthetics, social mobility, and their relationship to dance on the
Continent. Assigned readings will accompany these seminars.
Grading is based on weekly projects, journals, a final paper assignment, and pro-active
engagement in all aspects of the Program.