The UNDERSCORE facilitated by Sarah Young w/Music by Madeleine Grace

Name: The UNDERSCORE facilitated by Sarah Young w/Music by Madeleine Grace
Start: 2026-04-12T14:00:00-04:00
End: 2026-04-12T16:45:00-04:00
Location: 59 Oneil St, Kingston, NY 12401

Schedule

Sun Apr 12 2026 at 02:00 pm to 04:45 pm

UTC-04:00

Location

59 Oneil St, Kingston, NY 12401 | Kingston, NY

People of all experience levels, movement backgrounds, and ages are welcome.
**Important notes re: the Underscore: we'll start promptly at 2pm. Please arrive 15 minutes early to pay, warm up and settle in, so we can start on time. The Underscore is a closed container once we begin. It is recommended that you participate in the entirety of the Underscore, from beginning to end.**
An Underscore led by Sarah Young is a Contact Improv bucket list item, in our humble opinion! The Underscore is deep, captivating, and fun, and Sarah is an expert facilitator who is coming all the way from Northampton to guide us through it. Our beloved Madeleine Grace will improvise with us, with music.
You do not need any special knowledge or set of experiences to participate; you only need to bring your curiosity and some level of exposure to Contact Improvisation.
Cost: $35 (or more if you can sponsor others. email if you need arrange a work/trade to reduce your cost). Thank you for contributing promptly upon arrival, rather than waiting till the end:
~ Cash is best, but if you forget, Venmo is an option
Contributions help cover the space rental, class facilitators, and musicians, and allow us to continue.
WHERE: Score Studio, 59 O'Neil St., Kingston, NY 12440 (up stairs).
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Below is an explanation of The Underscore by Sarah Young.
UNDERSCORE (_)
The Underscore is a framework for group dance improvisation that Nancy Stark Smith developed after years of observing dancers improvise in her workshops and at jams. In many ways, the Underscore resembles a Contact Improvisation jam: We arrive in the space together, then gather to agree on the parameters. We ground ourselves by refreshing our relationship to gravity and continue warming-up through solo dancing, short connections, and longer engagements with others—until we find ourselves in the Open Score. There's plenty of room for dancing in spherical space, changing states, and enjoying the group composition as it arises. Once the dancing resolves, we have time for quiet reflection and sharing as a group.
While not typically led, this practice will be lightly guided, so dancers can learn the phases, connections, and aspects of the Underscore as they move through it. No prior experience necessary.
For more information, visit: www.nancystarksmith.com/underscore
Sarah Young studied with Nancy Stark Smith from 2013–2020. She has been co-coordinating the Global Underscore since 2020, is a co-coordinator of Seasonal Underscores in Northampton, MA, an ongoing member of the Underscore +/- Group in Northampton, MA, and participated in GLIMPSE 2, a performance installation based on the Underscore, NYC in 2014. She's a former Director of Earthdance Creative Living Project, a Guild Certified Feldenkrais® Practitioner, Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, Morocco, and has a BFA in Dance from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. She's currently pursuing her MFA in Choreography and Performance at Smith College. She will teach at Spiral & Root, a 3-week CI training program at Earthdance, Plainfield, MA in January.
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Please:
~ Follow @hudsonvalleycontactimprov on IG and Hudson Valley Contact Improvisation on FB for updates and to show you support.
~ Join our email list [email protected]
Email us for any questions / Whatsapp Group link too.
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Requests for help:
~ On the day: sweep before/after the jam, greet at the door, welcome and orient newcomers, turn lights on/off at start/end.
~ We can always use help spreading the word about our regular jams. Invite friends who might be interested!
~ Please email or Whatsapp us if you'd be interested in sharing our posts and other communications with your networks.
~ Follow, share & interact with us at:
IG: @hudsonvalleycontactimprov
Facebook: Hudson Valley Contact Improvisation
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GENERAL JAM DETAILS:
People of all experience levels and movement backgrounds are welcome.
We meet at Score Studio in Kingston, NY (59 Oneil St, 2nd floor).
When navigating to Score Studio at 59 Oneil St, Kingston, look for a Wayfinders sign and a "61" address of a small industrial building on Oneil street. There is a parking lot next to it. Park here or on the street. The studio is at the back end of the parking lot, up an outdoor flight of stairs. There's a big 'Score Dance Studio" sign in pink above the studio door.
For anyone with particular access needs, please let us know how we can support you to make your attendance possible and comfortable.
* Note for people who may be allergic: a cat lives in an apartment adjacent to the studio. The studio will be vacuumed before the jam.
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Some FAQ:
When are the upcoming jams?
We'll continue on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month, except for a pause in August, and no class/jam on the 4th Sunday of December. Classes 2-3pm, Jams 3-4:30pm, except the Underscore.
I haven't done Contact Improv in 20 years! Is this jam right for me?
We invite dancers/humans of all levels of experience and types of ability to this jam. We trust you to know your limits and we encourage you to observe and rest as you'd like. If you have questions or need help, please feel free to approach the jam facilitators.
I've never done CI and barely know what it is. How can I participate?
Absolute beginners should let the host know that they are new to the form so that proper support and guidance can be provided. You are welcome to watch for the first jam, if you'd like, or if you'd like to join in, we will make sure you are buddied up with someone who can show you some basics. Witnessing other dancers is always welcome and is a valued contribution to the dance environment.
Can I bring my kid/s?
Kids are magical beings and we welcome them heartily. If you bring yours, please stay near them and make sure they are safe and respectful of all jam guidelines.
What are your guidelines regarding COVID and other illnesses?
Please don't come to the Jam if you have any symptoms of a contagious illness, have tested positive for COVID or have recently been substantially exposed to a known Covid case. We will have hand sanitizer available, hand washing is encouraged. Masks, testing and vaccination are at your own discretion. There is an air purifier in the studio.
Is the studio accessible by wheelchair?
Unfortunately, it is not, although there may be a lift installed next to the stairs. We will keep you posted.
Any other questions? Reach out!
[email protected]