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Are You Still Immersed In The Process? How Content Culture Can Cap The Artist

 It felt so good to move, undulate, and slide into a deep second position to recoil into a contorted contraction. It truly felt like breathing. Surely, I adore codified technique. However, taking a contemporary class last night taught me way more than I bargained for. Get out of your headspace, get out of the mirror, ditch the "content concept" and just dance. I reckon that is my honest thesis. I felt like Jodie (without my Cooper) as I whisked across the floor. Throughout class I thought about the likes and wisdom of dancers like Robert Battle and Matthew Rushing. While dancing, I recalled both of their sentiments that included abandon and connection (to the floor, to the movement, to the work...) while dancing. Truly, I felt that. Suddenly, I am met with a challenge. Maybe it's culture or maybe its Maybeli — nope! It's definitely culture.  For about one minute, I wrestled with walking off of the floor, grabbing my phone, finding a proper angle to record, propping...
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A Pursuit Void of Process

 A pursuit void of process is one that cannot yield maximized results.  Process is a single most valuable part of dance. If it is to be meaningful and dare I say, life changing, process cannot be overlooked.

When most people hear the word they automatically think of enduring unavoidable hardship and trauma. However, when it comes to the pursuit of your calling things do not have to become unbearable. While there is a day of small beginnings, there is certainly a time to go upward! 

The same is for the process that should be valued in the art of dance. If the process is neglected the product cannot be impactful. I can remember taking dance class and attending rehearsals at my local dance studio. As an apprentice for Jubilee Dance Company I was introduced to excellence. The value of working at my craft and taking the necessary steps to achieve great performance and artistry were instilled in me. The things I learned during those days carried me through my college training and now into my professional career. I was taught, from experience and observation that there is no shortcut to greatness. Process is sacrificial and often becomes introspective. As a company and as an individual process can look different.

Are you seeking excellence and potency but avoiding the process? 

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