A glimpse into the creative process

Originally published October 9, 2024. Imported May 19, 2025.

We have just completed the fifth week of rehearsals for this new season. When we work collaboratively, a choreographer brings concepts into rehearsal and asks dancers to generate movement. The choreographer then provides an outside eye to sculpt and shape the movement into set choreography. At the conclusion of our fifth week, we are starting to see two of our newest works, “War Machine,” and “Landing” take shape.

There will be an opportunity to see these works at our Artists’ Showcase open showing on Sunday, December 8. Mark your calendars! This will be a fun opportunity to discuss the work, and get an inside look at the choreographic process.

“War Machine” is a critique on the American war economy. I find it troubling that so many U.S. based businesses thrive during times of global war, international conflict, or whatever euphemism we use for it. In researching this work, I have learned about mercenary forces that were used during the Iraq war, the powerful influences of oligarchs in the U.S., and other driving forces that affect national and international decisions. How to turn all of these concepts into choreography – well that’s going to be the interesting part. I hope to do it justice.

At the same time that I am researching (through reading as well as through movement) concepts that support “War Machine,” I wanted to balance my mind with wonder, excitement, and joy. I am injecting a sense of awe into my work week by researching for the piece “Landing.” This dance is inspired by the amazing sights around the world. 7 wonders of the world, amazing landscapes, and awe inspiring views that would lead aliens who land on the planet to see the beauty of this place where we all live, despite the destruction humans inflict upon it. Humanity is capable of beauty as well as terror.

I would love to talk about the work we’re creating at Dance Uprising with anyone who’s interested! Join us at our showing in December to see these pieces and others as they are in progress. And come back in April to see our final presentation of this season’s work! Save the date – April 25-26, 2025, at Riverside Arts Center!

Photography by Kirk Donaldson. "Rebuild and Recover" performed at THRIVE in May 2023. From left to right: Autumn, Donna, Ginger, Amy, Nicole, Robyn.