Workshop with Kirstie Simson
Schedule
Sat Jun 22 2024 at 11:30 am to 05:00 pm
Location
Bristol Old Vic | Bristol, EN
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GATHER UP, an artist-led programme for dancers, invites celebrated artist Kirstie Simson to share their dance and choreographic practice and their current research in a spirit of reciprocal enquiry. This workshop is open to the curiosity of artists and practitioners aged 18yrs+ who work with contemporary dance, movement improvisation, choreography or other movement practices.
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Dance Improvisation that offers Resilience and Support in Difficult Times
Kirstie draws from her extensive experience of Contact Improvisation, dance techniques, the Alexander technique, Aikido, meditation, and her broad knowledge of improvisation in performance. She shares her work through facilitated exercises, open time for play and exploration, movement scores, observations, discussion, and humour. Much of the work is experienced through partnering, respectful touch and connection with others, balanced with
solo time for processing and reflection. Weather-permitting we will also explore scores that take us outside.
There is deep inspiration and rigour in a practice of improvisation that posits vulnerability at its heart. Developing the skills to be able to care for, engage, respect, and respond to that state of openness in oneself, others and our environment generates creative work that is powerful and transformative. Learning from a place of interconnectedness can give us the resilience and insight to face into life’s challenges and complexities.
In this 1-day workshop Kirstie shares the movement practices and underlying philosophies she has developed over forty years of committed involvement with dance improvisation as a ‘life-practice’ that has helped her negotiate life’s ups and downs.
About Kirstie Simson:
Kirstie Simson (UK) has been a continuous explosion in the contemporary dance scene, bringing audiences into contact with the vitality of pure creation in moment after moment of virtuoso improvisation. Called "a force of nature"; by the New York Times, she is an award-winning dancer and teacher who has "immeasurably enriched and expanded the boundaries of New Dance"; according to Time Out Magazine, London. Kirstie is renowned internationally as an
excellent teacher, a captivating performer and a leading light in the field of Dance Improvisation. Kirstie spent 13 years teaching in the Department of Dance at the University of Illinois, USA. In August 2020 she returned to her home base in Wales from where she continues to explore and share her work as an Independent Artist.
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Who is this workshop for?
Artists and practitioners (18yrs+) working with contemporary dance, improvisation, choreography or other movement practices.
What are the timings of the day?
The studio will be open from 11am. The workshop will begin at 11.30am with an hour break for lunch, small breaks in-between and will end at 5pm with 30mins until 5.30pm to connect, cool down, stretch and leave the venue.
Access:
If you are a dancer with a visual impairment and would like to come to this workshop and access free Creative Audio Description 1-1 support please get in touch to find out more and how to book:
[email protected]
We have a Care Pot available offering cash support towards childcare, parking, travel, access or other extra costs that may surround being able to attend this workshop. Take a read and please be in touch with how we could cover some of your extra costs so that you can come along and participate. https://www.gatherup.live/care-pot
If you need access support during the workshop or have a question contact us at: [email protected]
To read our sharing spaces commitment visit:
https://www.gatherup.live/working-together
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Image Description 1:
This black and white image was taken during Kirstie’s solo performance in Thailand. It shows her upright and in motion, clearly depicting the energy of her movement with both arms raised and speaking as she moves.
Photo taken by Ken Buslay
https://www.gatherup.live/workshops
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Where is it happening?
Bristol Old Vic, Bristol, United KingdomEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
