In the Open Air: Rediscovering Self and the Environment through Site-Specific Dance and Alternative Teaching Methods

In the Open Air: Rediscovering Self and the Environment through Site-Specific Dance and Alternative Teaching Methods examines the accessibility of modern and contemporary dance today. It reflects on personal research, teaching values and the human/nature interface as motives for bringing dance out of the theatre and into nontraditional environments. I examine methodologies for creating and teaching dance in nature and nontraditional settings. To support this research I have studied Anna Halprin and her approach of taking dance outdoors as a way of promoting community and self-discovery. I also review why Halprin’s work matters to me. I share my inspirations and approaches for creating Radicles: Rediscovering humankind’s primary roots, a site-specific dance. Finally, I discuss the effects of site-specific dance in nature and introduce the importance of innovative teaching methodologies to engage the individual and the community in modern and contemporary dance.DanceMastersUniversity of New Mexico. Dept. of Theater and DanceJewell, DonnaConde Reche, VladimirSantos Newhall, Mary AnneEncinias-Sandoval, EvaPujic, Erik