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Facilitator: Anne Cooper

Global Underscore ‘talk-through’
Sunday, June 13 from 2:15-3:30pm
or
Monday, June 14 from 6:30-7:45pm
Cost: $5 (“refreshers” are free)

Participants must attend (or have already attended) a Talk-through to attend the Underscore practice.

Global Underscore ‘the practice’
Saturday, June 19 from 2-6pm
Cost: $25

COVID-Adapted Version:

Global Underscore ‘the practice’

Saturday, June 19 from 2-6pm

Cost: $25

Non-Synchronous Full Score Practice in-studio, distanced dancing

COVID-Adapted Version:

The Underscore is a framework for practicing and researching dance improvisation (and Contact Improvisation when we can do it again) developed in the 90’s by Nancy Stark Smith (one of the founders of Contact Improvisation).

The score guides dancers through a series of “changing states“; from solo deepening/releasing and sensitizing to gravity and support; through group circulation and interaction, opening out to full group improvisation with compositional awareness, and back to rest and reflection.

Participants new to the Underscore are required to also register for a 'talk-through' either June 13th or 14th. For those that have already participated in an Underscore, please note that this talk-through will also include COVID-19 adaptations for practice. For returning participants attending the talk-through please use coupon code "refresher" at check out.

The ‘Talk-Through’ gives us the ‘what we are going to engage in’ or ‘game-plan’ for a long session of dance improvisation. The ‘Talk-Through’ and the ‘Practice’, the doing of it, comprise The Underscore. The Underscore is a much-loved event that is practiced around the world including the annual 'GUS', Global Underscore.

The Underscore is generally not led by verbal cues; the idea is that people “know” it (by attending a talk-through) and come together to share the practice. It is often practiced without music, and without social conversation during the practice itself. Snacking (except during Covid!) and exiting/reentering to the washrooms as needed are part of the score! For our Covid-adapted Global Underscore, we'll have to forgo any snacking onsite before, during, or after the Underscore event. Generally it is not a score for the research of text-based vocal work.

The Underscore is a spacious experience shared by the participants that can spark surprising kinesthetic and compositional improvised dance and Contact Improvisation (when we can do it again) within a defined framework.

Anne Cooper has facilitated the Underscore in Vancouver and elsewhere and has studied and performed in the 'Glimpse' Underscore retreats/performances with it's creator, Nancy Stark Smith. Anne has been an EDAM Company member for over 20-years and dances and teaches there and elsewhere.

Some of the above text is sourced from Nancy Stark Smith's Underscore in the book "Caught Falling" by David Koteen and Nancy Stark Smith.

Every person who attends an EDAM class/workshop acknowledges having read and agreed to these waivers: edamdance.org/waiver

COVID-19 protocols:

• advance registration and payment online required

• maximum 9 people for event

• please arrive no earlier than 20 mins before class start time

• wash hands with soap and water in washroom or use hand sanitizer provided upon entering and leaving the building

• 3-person limit at one time in building foyer, and 1-person at a time limit in the EDAM studio foyer

• parking can be difficult in the area, so plan accordingly and give yourself plenty of time

• wearing a face-covering mask is currently mandatory

• aim to maintain a minimum 2.5m distance while participating in class

• windows will be open as possible, bring layers

• please do not forget your belongings after class

• please abide by current PHO travel restrictions

Faciliator Anne Cooper has researched and danced in the Underscore with it’s creator, Nancy Stark Smith, since 2012, and has facilitated it in Vancouver and other locales.