-Residencies-

Trust the process!         I know the kids are wired today because (select one or more): a) They haven't been outside for two weeks because of sub-zero weather b) They have a substitute teacher today c) They were taking tests all morning d) Somebody's mom sent a high-in-sugar birthday treat e) There is a major news event f) The barometer is changing g) The high school team is going to “State” h) Other So, just breathe, smile and trust the process” Not comforting words to a residency sponsor (or principal or parent) perceiving chaos in the classroom. Trust the process, however, is the heart of the residency work. In chaos or complexity theory, the ‘6 degrees of freedom’ (three dimensions, three speeds) push and pull each other until the strange attractor—turbulence—break down order. The breakdown of order allows others options to emerge as a new order. Turbulence connects options in a feedback cycle in which order and chaos are randomly interspersed. Similarly, in a dance residency, I teach students the “freedom” (7 Basic Movements and Laban's 8 dynamic efforts), toss in turbulence (“how would you combine…”), and connect motions and emotions, words and actions through feedback (“how can you connect the parts…”). Like the butterfly flapping in China causing hurricanes in Florida, students create dances of chaotic beauty and ordered emotions. An extension of DANCECIRCUS performances, many workshop programs draw on the original stories, adapted folktales, or story circle/life stories models Betty Salamun investigates for DANCECIRCUS concerts.     An ARTIST-EDUCATOR, Betty Salamun brings 30 years of innovative outreach programs, nationally recognized community workshops and cross-curricular school residency programs to her work with students, people in the community and artists on stage. In workshops, participants investigate expressive connections between dance and words, and build actions, re-actions and interactions into creative structures. Basic actions (jump, turn, travel, etc.) and efforts (fast/slow, powerful/delicate,) etc. establish safe boundaries for the group and help students develop self-control. What happens in a DANCECIRCUS residency?       Master classes emphasize dynamic energy shifts (Laban efforts) to enhance performance. A modern dance technique class builds movement sequences from floor to standing to traveling. Workshops with people of all ages and abilities explore dance as healing and transformation, eco-dance, or, exercising their creativity -- combining drawing, movement, poetry, storytelling and more. Outreach performances adapt to and interact with students, families and general audiences. Short or long term residencies in schools, colleges or communities. Participants create dances or performance events and, where appropriate, perform with the Company. Assessment and Teacher In-Service training. For schools, school districts, artists, teachers, parents, administrators, in practical ways to implement multiple intelligence’s received the Wisconsin Association for Environmental Education’s “Non-Formal Educator of the Year” award and the Wisconsin Dance Councils Outstanding Achievement award. Click here to return to DanceCircus Homepage