MOTION STATE ARTS AT FRINGE PVD–COME TAKE CLASS!

Sunday, July 21

11:30am–12:30pm: AUTHENTIC MOVEMENT—TAPPING THE WELL…WITNESSING WHAT ARISES / PAULA SAGER: Authentic Movement invites a process of opening to a deeper source of movement and experience. Our inner witness strengthens as we bring attention to what’s emerging. Embodied presence, insight, and creativity can become more available, supporting us in our work and life. Whether you’re new to this practice or you have experience, all are welcome!

Paula Sager came to Authentic Movement as a dancer and choreographer. She is a faculty member of Circles of Four, a training program designed by Janet Adler, founder of the Discipline of Authentic Movement. Paula is co-editor of Janet’s collected writings, Intimacy in Emptiness: An Evolution of Embodied Consciousness (Inner Traditions, 2022). Paula’s upcoming non-fiction book, The Watch: Time to Witness the Beauty of it All, will be published in early 2025.

1–2:30pm: CONTEMPORARY DANCE & IMPROVISATION / HALEY ANDREWS: The emphasis of this class will be directed toward learning and developing both technical skills and aesthetic sensibilities at an intermediate/advanced level. The fundamentals of contemporary dance technique will be stressed along with rhythmic proficiency and artistry. Movement quality, energy and rhythm will also be explored through improvisational scores and repertoire.

Originally from South Shore Massachusetts, Haley Andrews is a queer freelancing dance artist and choreographer. She graduated from Salve Regina University with a BA in Dance and English Communications. Haley relocated to Boulder, CO in 2018 where she began to construct her project-based contemporary dance company, Andrews Movement. She has showcased her choreography at BandChicago Dance Festival-Hubbard Street Dance (2019), Versatility Dance Fest (C0 & CA, 2019), Mash Up Dance’s International Women’s Day Festival (CA, 2022), and Ballet Rhode Island-RI Women’s Choreography Project (2022 & 2023). She danced with T2 Dance based out of Denver, CO for two seasons, until moving back East in 2020. Haley has had the pleasure of performing live works by Emily Schoen Branch, Jon Lehrer, Jackie Nowicki, Carlos Jones, Spencer Gavin Herin, Ali Brodski, Mike Esperanza, and more. Haley is on staff at Salve Regina University in Newport, RI, teaching contemporary dance, and instructs various adult drop-in style Contemporary classes around RI and the greater Boston area. In March 2024 Haley danced for choreographer Jessi Stegall in The Theremin Vignettes, showcased at the Institute for Contemporary Art in Boston. Haley performed in Simon Montalvo’s a house with no walls: first floor in June at the Boston Center for the Arts. Haley is a passionate arts advocate who works to instill social and equitable change in the world, and her own community through her art.  

3–4:30pm: CONTACT IMPROVISATION—THE SPACE BETWEEN US / OLIVIER BESSON: How do we create a dance with space, allowing it to flower in our presence? We bring awareness to the four layers of contact: skin, tissue, bone and negative space. While rising and falling, we experience a spherical sense of space and unlock the efficiency of the helix. We open an inquiry into the space between us.

Olivier Besson began his study of contact improvisation in 1980. His research into improvisation is about finding flow, deep play and experiencing freedom within form. He’s been teaching dancers and actors at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee since 2004.

4:30–7pm: CONTACT IMPROVISATION JAM: A jam is a collective improvisation, open to people of all levels of experience. During this open session, we will begin with an opening circle and a facilitated warm-up, as a “way in” to the dance. After this, the space becomes open for people to dance by themselves, in duet, in larger groups, or to observe. (Please arrive on time for the opening circle, if you have not taken the CI class beforehand.)