ChoreoLAB: Merging Influences

ChoreoLABs are workshops that explore the art of dance making. We introduce and explore various choreographic tools that help dance makers generate their own authentic movement, find new ways to synthesize phrases, and hone compositional skills. Open to dance artists of all genres and levels, these workshops encourage participants to develop their own choreographic voice.

In ChoreoLAB: MERGING INFLUENCES, we’ll play with our choreographic toolbox while looking through the lens of heritage and culture. We’ll explore movement generation, using various tools and prompts. We’ll look at ways to manipulate our own movements. We’ll create short phrases and share them, and then discuss our outcomes and learnings. Together, we’ll explore how cultural identity can influence our dance making, regardless of our practiced dance form.

Things to Bring

• Pen/pencil and notebook (or something to take notes on).
• Suggest a phone or something to video record yourself, but not required.
• Water and snacks – we will have short breaks.
• Wear comfortable clothing and be prepared for movement.
• No outside shoes in the studio – bare feet, socks, or studio only shoes.
• Joyce Lien Kushner is of Taiwanese descent and will be using examples from her heritage. If interested in exploring your own cultural heritage, please bring:
  • short poem or literature passage from your heritage
  • links to videos of traditional dances from your heritage (2 videos should suffice)