Whether I’m telling a story of my own or creating works to amplify to stories of others, the creative process is the same: 
 

1. Intentional period of writing and reflection:
   Through this process, we identify the most important pieces of their story and especially any “lexical gaps” where words don’t seem to do it justice.
    

2. Improvisational movement prompts:
   We then explore each of the experiences through a means of improvisational exploration. We take note of movements firstmost that feel authentic (from the dancer’s perspective) as well as movements that communicate effectively to the audience. 
    

3. Collaboration:
   When structuring the movement phrases created in step two, collaboration between dancer and choreographer is key.  Regular check-ins and moments for reflection ensure that the embodied story remains true/authentic.
    

4. Fixed structure with artistic choices:
   Set choreography of a story is crucial to ensure that the message is delivered fully and clearly, but there still needs to be room for tapping into the real-lived experience of sharing the story.  This connection happens naturally thanks to the creative process in building movement, but I find it especially beneficial to incorporate specific moments within the dance that allow the performer to make real-time choices.  In other words, the dance may look slightly different each time it is shared, in the same way that different parts of our stories are emphasized depending on when we tell them.

 

For more specific examples of my choreographic storytelling style, check out "Projects".