In our second rehearsal in August for Grounding , we kicked it off with a warm up and media shoot to collect images and videos for sharing out with the public.
Then we walked together to our next site. This particular site features a large quote about freedom of speech. After practicing our choreography and a new movement phrase shared by Brittany to express resonance with this theme, Crystal invited the group to arrange in a vertical line facing the audience. Her photography and film background highlights her attention to visuals and depth in composition. Volunteering to speak the quote while the group performed the movement, Edwin showcased his versatility in vocal expression. Both Crystal and Edward helped iterate the sequence --suggesting we evolve the phrase as an accumulation. Edwin spoke the quote with gusto, curiosity and conviction. His background in theater shined through. After a few practices, the accumulation also resulted in a canon, to the delight of our group re-watching the rehearsal video. While gathering our belongings and heading back to our parked cars, we discussed how to continue to vocalize the quote and underscore our individual's expression of speech. Edwin invited us to consider key words from the quote as a salutation offering to share with attendees. We tested it out as we walked: 'wisdom', 'liberty' and 'freedom' pierced the mellow Sunday afternoon air, sparking vitality and promise.
At the studio, we began exploring pedestrian movement: walking, stillness, looking, vocalizing. As we added in the variation of calling out the words from the quote, it was a delight to hear the variances in texture, tone and duration in the sound play. After a few minutes, we organically fell into a rhythm of repeating the word 'freedom' in a cadence where the word free extended for four counts and the final syllable honed into a healthy humming vibration. A spontaneous stomp and clap from Aisha led to the whole group devising counterpoint rhythms and layers to the sonic waves. Within moments, we were singing our very own Freedom Song! It felt at once present and deeply felt from a serious past.
Resilience is a root requirement for Civil Rights work. Next, we practiced going down to the ground and getting back up again. Counting backwards from 10 counts to 1 count, we adapted to the task of safely and swiftly releasing and rebounding. And so, we continued this resiliency practice in twos, threes, a four and finally, all five. We learned how to tune into trusting the pressure and listening required by each and every one of us to help each other slowly bend and rise up together.
The rehearsal's attention to interpersonal trust and affection continued. Brittany guided them in pairs to take turns with a gentle somatic study: providing touch at specific places on the body--sternum, back of the head, fingertips, ankles, heels, with brushes to slough off any tension of each others' bodies.
After awaking these sensations and gentleness, we moved into a study guided by Brittany for two duets to explore the sweeping support of a partner upholding another partner's hand. Exploring shapes of weight sharing and cradling, the duets emerged sequences which were then modified, adapted with pedestrian travelling sequences, and choreographed by Brittany into a quartet and quintet.
The quintet at the end evolved into a group bending together into the ground, with specific head turn choreography, followed by a collective rise and inward turn into rising hands to the sky--reaching, uplifting, clasping, interlacing and cycling of support.
At the end of practice, we collected group words for reflection:
Warmth
Connection
Trust
Interlaced
Interlocked
Intertwined
Growth
Push/Pull
Pressure
Rope/Chain
Sacred Privilege
Slough Ritual: discovery of sensation
We made a Freedom Song!
~
Grounding responds to sites and monuments representing the Civil Rights movement to enliven the histories, reflect the struggles and strides, and animate our hearts and bodies into action. Choreographed and performed by Brittany Delany in collaboration with Riverside dancers Ana Cruz, Crystal Edwards, Edwin Sigüenza and Aisha Stewart, the ensemble dance will emphasize social dance, improvisation, collective joy and resilience.
This project asks, ‘How can dance illuminate sites and monuments representing the Civil Rights movement?’ The site-specific performance will emerge at the Riverside Main Library, across from the Civil Rights Institute of Southern Inland California, on September 30, 2024 in the late afternoon.
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