Friend: Experimental Dance Workshop

May 11 2024

Five people take different shapes with their bodies. The shapes are fluid and imply movement. They are on a black flooring and there is a pink fabric backdrop with three big and loosely fastened fabric shapes in blues and red.

When: Saturday 11 May
Time: 11.15am – 1.15pm
Where: St Johns Church Hall, Brittany Rd, Saint Leonards-on-sea TN38 0RD
Ticket Price: Free, Reservation Essential

RESERVE YOUR SPOT NOW

Dive into the world of experimental dance with choreographer Gillie Kleiman in a performance workshop designed for non-professional dancers.

This two-hour workshop will be a fantastic opportunity to learn a shared choreography in a laid-back and informal setting.

What to Expect: During the workshop, you will explore movement, speech, rest, and song - with a freedom to choose how you approach each activity. Working through a series of short exercises after a physical warm-up, the group will build up to a short final performance which we will be done together, all at once. There won’t be any routines to learn off-by-heart; instead, you will find your ways through a series of instructions and conversations.

Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing suitable for movement, including the option for lying on the floor if the urge strikes.

Is it for all abilities?
Absolutely! This workshop is inclusive and welcomes participants of all abilities, aged 18+. The choreography and learning process are flexible and can be tailored to accommodate any specific physical considerations or needs you may have.

A portrait image of Gillie, a white woman with a brown feathered mullet, looking directly at the camera and wearing a blue denim dress — Gillie Kleiman

Inspiration: In this workshop you will work with ideas and material from Gillie's project, friend, a performance for a non-professional dancer to present in their home to an audience of only their friends. friend involves iconic post-modern American dance performance Trio A, two versions of I Will Always Love You, karaoke, and a small but effective smoke machine.

Reservation: This workshop is free, but reservation is essential. Secure your spot now. The deadline for reservations is Wednesday 8th May, 9am.

Gillie Kleiman works with and in dance and choreography, creating performances, texts, events and pedagogical encounters.
Gillie’s work has a persistent interest in both the figure and the activity of the non-professional, and many of the projects have involved participation of non-professional collaborators or of the audience. In 2020, Gillie initiated a new cycle of thinking and working about fat and fatness.
Gillie has degrees in dance and performance, including a PhD in Dance Studies. Alongside her artistic practice, she is Head of Higher Education at Dance City, an adviser to Jerwood Arts, a Trustee of People Dancing, and external examiner at the Danish National School of Performing Arts. She is a member of UVW-DCW and is an accredited trade union representative.
Gillie lives and works in Newcastle upon Tyne.
St Johns Church Hall is a step-free venue with accessible toilets. Additional funds are available to accommodate any other specific access requirements participants may have, such as travel expenses or the need for a personal assistant.
For further information, please reach out to Hannah on hannah@homeliveart.com or 07470756933.
friend producer: Beckie Darlington
Main image by Kit Haigh
Image of Gillie by Cliodhna Murphy
Supported by Arts Council England