Packing Slip 
item |
Experiencing the Legacy of Alwin Nikolais. |
contact |
Sally Jesse (Chandler-Gilbert Community College) sally.jesse@cgcmail.maricopa.edu |
credits |
Iris Ishikawa Kathryn Most Cheri McDowell |
college(s) |
Chandler-Gilbert Community College |
discipline(s) |
Dance |
summary |
This grant brought Alberto Del Saz, a former member of the Alwin Nikolais Dance Theater, to Chandler-Gilbert Community College to teach Nikolais technique, discuss the Nikolais creative process, share personal experiences and insights to the work of Alwin Nikolais, and create a new work for Chandler-Gilbert Community College students. |
details |
Alberto Del Saz spent two weeks as an Artist in Residence at Chandler-Community College. He taught daily technique class, had daily rehearsals for a new work that he set on CGCC students, and spent time talking with students and faculty about his connection to the Nikolais/Louis legacy. (Mr. Del Saz is the Artistic Director of the Murray Louis and Nikolais Dance Company as well as the Co-Director of The Nikolais.Louis Foundation for Dance, and assistant to Mr. Louis. He is a vital link in keeping the Nikolais/Louis repertory active.) During this project: •Students were introduced to and explored the creative process of a nationally known dance figure of the twentieth century, and were able to ask questions of a dancer who lived moments of that history. •Students reflected and responded in their own creative work to the experience. •Students explored new ways of moving and expanded their movement vocabulary. •Students developed and improved their rehearsal and performance skills. •Students assessed their personal development as the project progressed. •Participated in the creative process of a contemporary, nationally known dance artist. •Participated in the technical process of creating a new artist work. •Performed the new work in the Spring, 2009 Faculty Dance Concert. A ------------------------------------------------------------ How did the project improve, advance, or enhance student learning? Please provide specific examples. ------------------------------------------------------------ •Students worked with a nationally known dance artist and were asked to perform with a rigor beyond the usual college level performance. •Students were introduced to professional expectations beyond physical performance and were given information to help them process future goals. For some who were considering a professional life, this information gave room to pause and reflect as there are realities beyond those of high school and college performance. •Students were exposed to stories of dance history lived by the resident artist and began to see history as a living experience, not just something read in books. •Students were introduced to new vocabulary and understandings beyond their weekly classes. •Students were given new posts against which to evaluate their progress, to assess their abilities, and to plan for their future. ------------------------------------------------------------ How did you evaluate your project's success? What did it tell you? ------------------------------------------------------------ This process was evaluated through student reflection, discussion and final performance. The extent of this artist's work with Alwin Nikolais and Murray Louis and his connection to a time in dance history is beyond the scope of most residencies we can afford at Chandler-Gilbert. This was an amazing event for our students and the amount of personal reflection and growth was astounding to see. The quality of creative work done by our first year students in their final concert this year is in large part a reflection of the work they did with Mr. Del Saz. The beginning of the students' poetic voice became evident at an earlier stage this semester than in years past. It was exciting to see. ------------------------------------------------------------ What is your plan to share this project with others? ------------------------------------------------------------ We will keep the new work in our repertory and have a video of the project. The video is not of great quality because their was no one to videotape and the tape was made in the control booth were one can hear the cues being called. We do have a record of the event. ------------------------------------------------------------ What, if anything, will happen in the future with this project? ------------------------------------------------------------ Mr. Del Saz is the curator of the Nikolais/Louis legacy and sets historic pieces on colleges and universities. The cost is exorbitant even with national grants, but it is something I would really like to pursue. I would love to have an original work of the Nikolais company set on CGCC students. I hope to perform Mr. Del Saz' original work "Past Times" in future concerts. ------------------------------------------------------------ What, if anything, would you do differently? ------------------------------------------------------------ Nothing. This was one of the best experiences we have had. I wish I hand the funds to bring him in every year. He is wonderful with students and his ability to connect students to dance history is amazing. Note! As a professional courtesy to the owner of this package, if you use some aspect of this package or have some thoughts about it, please share your feedback via the comments form below. |
web links |
http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/learngrant/ |
shareback |
A "Shareback" cites the places on the web that mention, reference, or use this MLX package, and "shares" that information back here (more about shareback...) Sharebacks can be generated automatically by weblog tools. |
extra |
Last modified: May-12-2009 Date created: May-12-2009 Visitor count: 528 Dublin Core Metadata record  This package is included in the Maricopa Learning Grants special collection. |
Maricopa Learning eXchange
http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/mlx/slip.php?item=2269
