On the road...

Winter Break. Things are moving slower now...even if I sometimes don't want to stop, I know that rest is needed to give you the strength to carry on. At the showing there were many different changes recommended and one of those was to add percussion to my music score for the group piece. I was able to connect with some new artists who join this project and could potentially perform live for the final concert. With the other dances the changes are with increasing the depth of the work mostly concerned with coaching the dancers and working on the 'dynamic engine' for each piece. Crafting and staging are also areas I can give more attention. Time is of the essence and with limited rehearsals it becomes a real challenge to accomplish everything that needs to be done. I have to be very practical and realistic about what's going to be possible for my dancers to handle, and leave overly ambitious things for another time. We grow from small things to big so I'm fine with a production on a smaller scale but done well. Yes that is my goal, go the farthest we can possibly go, but stay on the road and in the journey.

Passed the exam!

The table set up from yesterday's 'kaoshih' exam...I passed...and we passed...'us' made it through the screening! I got a lot of great feedback to work on, so we keep going,keep working, sailing ahead to 7th April 2013 for the 'Dream Realms' Premiere....Wheeeeeeee!!!!

...Making it happen step by little step

Breathe...

The Last Few Days...The exam showing is in three days...the choreography is mostly in place after a tiring weekend of finishing things...when I think over what the last two months demanded for us to reach this far, I think it's crazy...a crazy amount of work in very difficult circumstances. I handed in my production book yesterday to my exam committee...that was such a complex assignment, because I had to document the creative process through about two years of work and with many twists and turns, but present it, as briefly and concisely as possible.

I think it's so hard as a choreographer, because something you value and prize so highly can be treated by others with so little value and care. So yes it's a challenge to find the right people to work with who have what you need on an artistic, professional and relational level to accomplish what needs to be done. High standards need hard work, dedication and commitment. Someone once told me, don't pursue dance because of the money, because that won't be a driving force for you, pursue dance because of your love and passion for it, it has got to be something deeper. Perhaps love and passion for something is expressed in different ways. But when it's there you see it, you see it burning inside. I think if you are lukewarm, you don't, you can't last very long. Through stormy times,can you still burn bright...this is one journey...and after this there is more to come. I've had an endless list of things to do, but today I have a day of rest. To breathe. My adviser Ming, would tell me to do this when things got crazy, 'just breathe'...so I 'breathe'...it's beautiful for your spirit, body and mind...and what will be, will be.

Happy Times

Christmas with friends and collaborators, Chieh-Hua and Kuang-Ying, who in many different ways have supported me in doing this production. I'm so grateful for those who believe in this work and fuel the journey with their joy, compassion and encouragement. The music for the group piece (composed by Kuang-Ying) is finished ahead of the choreography. I wish I had more time to rehearse this piece, but we will at least have completed choreography by the exam date. A structure is forming, sometimes you can't rush the process even if you want to and for good choreography 'Crafting takes time'(Chieh-Hua's words of wisdom. Smiles). I keep learning, every single day, how to do life and how to be an artist. I'm glad for the experience I'm gaining about producing a work (no better teacher than life!), the reality of the art industry requires the constant need of a backup plan. Sometimes collaborations don't work out as well as mine did with Kuang-Ying, and so I want to cherish a friendship and partnership that's been built. I'm working on an 'SOS' basis with a lighting designer I know in India, who will act as a consultant and help me develop a lighting plan for my exam( yes the one in about two weeks time), because with my second lighting collaborator in Taipei there was break in communication. It is sad, but I get the privilege of another online overseas design process. There's a time crunch, but I believe it will work out, and add a richness of layers to the artistic aesthetic as a whole. For things to come and things that will be I fix my gaze steadily on the goal to be achieved, it is within reach and we will get there. In the overall picture, things are getting better, so I will think of and celebrate the 'Happy Times'.

my quest...near the end

Blogging. Because this I can do well. Less than a month to the exam showing. I am pushing past so many difficulties. And in my spirit I am not tired one bit. I just keep going. It is a key issue that this is a team effort and ultimately the result will depend on how well we can work as a team, it's the true test not just my creativity and skill as a choreographer. What are my thoughts at this point of the journey. I am so glad for the distance traveled. Smiles. I remember the first time meeting with my adviser Ming with a folded piece of paper with a highly philosophical outline for what this dance concert should be, and at our next meeting I entered his office with seven big canvases. Big ideas a very broad starting place ...the question, how do you narrow it to one definite point. From vague and abstract and things up in the air...from being so lost and clueless of how to achieve the task before me..."finding" took place...it's been a quest, a long tedious hard difficult quest...but when you have secrets revealed, it is so worthwhile...I can't explain it except to say deep in my heart something resonates inside with the world outside and time stands still for a moment, an aching peace to dwell in...I can still go deeper into what I've found...it's exhilarating as an artistic experience...even though it's very hard. Knowledge, it is so powerful. I want to know more. I'm still so hungry to learn.

Sketches with Dumile

The final designs for our costume collaboration are done and the dresses will ready in a couple of weeks. I am grateful for moving forward step by step.

New Dancers...

Six weeks to the showing, we are finding a strong footing to go ahead firmly...

I had an interesting five weeks of searching and auditioning, and then casting...but I think we have settled all that needs to be decided on...from now on we focus on moving towards our goal...a destination of excellence, no matter what it takes.

I speak from the heart because this project means alot to me and alot to several people who have invested their time, efforts and means to make this worthwhile...I am thankful, so thankful for all of the energies that pool together to bring a creation into existence.

I am still learning and growing as the journey accelerates the process of things being done...and I have many decisions to make as a choreographer and producer...but I am glad for an opportunity to experience all of this...nothing teaches you as well as life itself.

I look forward to a good pre-production showing in January.

Creating with Kuang-Ying

This is a file photograph of my new music composer for this project, Kuang-Ying Chuang. Working with her is such a joy and I think we are both quite adventurous as artists. The happy connection with Kuang-Ying was made over the summer through a dear friend Chieh-Hua (Jeff) Hsieh, choreographer and artistic director of Anarchy Dance Theatre. We are halfway through our creative process for the group piece and I'm excited for the possibilities that the new cast of dancers will bring to the development of our work. This collaboration is truly a dream come true, and Kuang-Ying and I are dreaming of future projects and travels together. I love the friendships that are being built throughout this production journey. I'm so glad for the many people encounters and interactions. Somehow I feel nothing is by accident and there will be strings that tie and lead us to other things.

Palace of Dreams

Moving forward...The short space of time to breathe and think is great. It helps me get an overall perspective of the destination and goals of this project. Somehow it is much more than completing a degree. The project has gained a value and purpose in itself and this production will carry the weight of many hours of research, deep thinking,improvising, constructing,deconstructing,re-structuring and much more. I have gained tremendously in my learning through this process not just by creating works of art, but through the wide interaction of people I have partnered with to make this happen. And the roots of this work go even deeper, many years ago to the time when I first was accepted as a student at TNUA. It's been a long journey across continents and time zones,cultures and traditions,principles and beliefs, learning and growing, living and being. It wasn't always easy, but it was always purposeful. And my life is forever changed. I love walking through the doors of impossibility and making a way...it will be an inheritance for those who come after me. It's important to know we do not live life for ourselves, but how we choose to live today will be the history that shapes lives for generations after. Let's leave behind a beautiful palace for the fulfillment of dreams.

Building...A Time for New Things

This week was another crux in my journey...I think if all of what has happened since I began working on this project in Taiwan last summer, was mapped into a dance, it would be quite the interesting landscape of structure and choreography. Smiles. The change pedal was pushed again.

The past weeks have been very difficult  for me and my dancers, because their busy schedules have actually made a huge impact on their time availability and ability to commit to this dance project whole-heartedly.

So here's where we make brave decisions and step out in faith. It feels like I'm walking on water.

I believe new dancers will be found, and with passion and energy will perform these dances they way they should be danced.

I think of buildings now...I have been dreaming of buildings...somehow without the right foundation you can't build things right. The core of your heart, your being, if not present, makes what you do what you create empty and for me at least that is meaningless.

So I will believe in miracles and for a new team to emerge even though the hour is late.

I am so glad I am still bursting with enthusiasm to keep doing this project...and I will...till we reach out journeys end. Smiles to your day.

"Imagining...Thinking...Feeling"

Remembering the material~

Seven months later, the dancers for the group piece meet in studio seven once again. Smiles, I love this journey.

The bright side...

This project has been in quite the strange balance of having to overcome many challenges and wondering why something that on paper looks so simple, it's black and white, had so many shades of grey to see it realized...and so the other side, which I'm a little surprised to acknowledge is actually I love the challenges and I love to find the way out...this isn't to do only with choreography as you might know from my previous blog posts, it includes all the practical aspects and life situations that surround a creation and production process...It's exciting and so strange, truth be told I thrive on challenge...isn't that just crazy...I am just wired this way...So now I rejoice, I have the chance to face difficulties with the joy of an inquisitive mind searching for answers, doors are locked, but I'm pretty sure I can find a key to open them. It is bliss when you have the right perspective and flip problems to be opportunities for new creative adventures. I'm so excited as every day is one day nearer to seeing this on stage, alive. My dancer asked me, when is the premiere...yes, we will have a premiere and more shows after that... Till then, we journey further....filled with joy.

Along the way

Staying in the game

There are crazy solutions for crazy situations, and I'm glad that creativity is not limited to just the studio, but being 'creatives' we get to do life that way. I'm pulling on the strengths I know people have to be the very best they can for a performance that really is only happening because of miracles occurring everyday. You learn to forgive and forget very quickly, when you are drawn forward by a higher prize...something that is so much bigger that you just can't quit and walk away. I am committed to doing this no matter what comes in the way of opposition. I am committed to seeing this through. 

Yesterday was a deep moment of decisions and choosing, a turning point...and I didn't know what would be the outcome. I'm so glad it was good, and everyone who was doubtful and questioning, decided to re-commit to this project-to find that special way, in which seemingly impossible things became possible. The path is lit especially bright, in golden light, a thin trail of fire...if you can see it, it's very clear, but you need to see, you need to know with the eyes of your heart there is a way to pursue....that there is something of value, at the end of the road.  It feels like my dancers grew up overnight, when they decided to be professional in their approach to working on this project and beat the tough schedules at school, to make time for rehearsing for this performance.

I am honored. Thank you...Thank you for running this race with me...we will make it to our journey's end and it will be beautiful...secret treasures and memories to cherish fill the way, and around the next bend you will have the most gorgeous view....

We're staying in the game.

Hope

Living in the now of what you want can be so difficult sometimes...but despite more challenges I have Hope. Being the Choreographer and Producer for this project is a fine and tricky balance. All with limited resources of time, personnel and finances. It feels like a mammoth task. Not discounting the overtime on my brain to  manage with English and Chinese. It's going to be a crazy season, but in my heart I will carry peace. Our team of artists has more change, with me being in need of a new lighting designer, stage manager and a videographer. And there are other positions to be filled as well, as the program and brochure require translators and editors...and not to forget I will have to have some volunteers backstage for small but very important tasks like arranging lunchboxes and doing announcements or ushering guests. Commitment. Building a good team seems crucial to the success of this production. I wish for smooth sailing though it stills seems quite unlikely. But in the rigourous curves of the mountain top, perhaps we find higher perspectives, and forever are transformed to be braver than we thought we are...it's September now...we begin, our final season...Love and grace and a double portion of patience to each of us...we're going to finish well.

Summertime...

It's been a blissful and busy swirl of many things. After the dance conference in July I had one week of intensive rehearsal with my trio dancers. It was a time of trying new things and opening ourselves up to new ways of translating ideas, thoughts, feelings, presence and sensation through the body...the bag of intangibles. We also started work on a new opening phrase and developed some new material drawing on bodyweather techniques I had studied from an Australian dancer/choreographer who had trained in Japan and done a performance workshop with us in India. There are so many different techniques in dance and performance training methods too, I look forward to new opportunities to learn more.

My summer has been interesting in that my release of creativity has been primarily occupied in house decorating...the transformation is wonderous and soothing to my spirit. Creative adventures do need a cozy nest, for inspiration to be warmed and birthed in, and yes during peak time production, I need a sanctuary of rest...so it seems to be preparation for the time to come. I have a new composer working with me now and a new dancer for the group piece(that I haven't as yet met). Yes, that is life, I dont complain about change anymore, I accept it and move on. My composer Kuan-Ying is enthusiastic to work alongside me, all the dances should be ready by 11/1 or at least that's my deadline. The committee showing happens a month later, and final show two months after. My lighting designer is scarce...communication can sometimes be so hard when you are the only one talking. Again, I just take it all one day at a time. I believe this production will be successful, even if it does require a hundred miracles.

In India...New Perspectives

Photography: Vanessa Mirza

Calcutta is such a different city to all the places I have been in the past year. She is special. In great need, but special. I've been here for a week now processing choreographic decisions for the trio while spending quality time with family. India is such an experience after being away for so long, it completely shifts thinking and perspective. I'm keen to see how contemporary dance develops in this city. I had quite random beginnings here...it's always good to know your roots...'never forget where your coming from'. But from there you grow. My family doesn't fully understand why a dance project requires so much time and work, but they support me. Love is so powerful in making dreams come true. I'm back to studio in a few weeks and even before that attending the Daci-WDA conference in Taipei mid-July. It will be a busy swirl of events. I look forward to happy connections and good performances.