Dear LUTSF

Lisa Ullmann Travel Scholarship Fund,

Please find enclosed a cover letter and detailed report on my trip to Jacobs Pillow Boston 358 George Carter Road, Becket, MA 01223, Massachusetts to participate in a choreographic laboratory led by:

• Annie B Parson and Paul Lazar (Big Theatre)
• Period from 23rd August – 04th September 2009

The purpose of my travel was to attend an intensive programme in Becket Massachusetts, USA at Jacobs Pillow and attend a Choreographic Laboratory, the Annual Performance Festival and Mater Classes/Showings in which to immerse, enrich my practice.

Please find enclosed two paper copies of the report and images taken while attending the Pillow.

Yours sincerely

Miss Harriet Macauley

Artistic Director / Choreographer (Pair Dance)

Report

Reflection:

This autumn I had the opportunity to experience an incredibly intensive period of investigation into the development of movement material, theatrical contexts, devising tools and processes. I learnt new methodologies and gained skills from artists, individuals and course leaders which I found to be exciting and invaluable. On a personal level I found the laboratory to be a place where I could exercise and try new ideas without the pressure of a finished result. This was exceptionally rewarding!

Over a period of 12 days, I was immersed in the beautiful surroundings of the Pillow. The Pillow is a 163 acre site dedicated to performance, workshops, education and the local community living in the local and wider area. Every year the Pillow holds a Dance festival including performances, education and lectures. The Pillow offers you the opportunity to be immersed in a calm, open environment and investigate first hand the archive and studios.

Although the period of visit was short I felt as though I needed an intensive period in which to enrich my choreographic practise and break down barriers and insecurities in attempting new ideas, methods and approaches to developing and performing new material. I had no expectation of achieving the goals I had set out to attain. Having just returned from a research and development and performances in Canada, Spain and Scotland’s Edinburgh Fringe three days prior, I definitely felt as though I needed a place where I could attempt new ideas/play and take risks with time for reflection and without the pressure to provide a final production to show.

The Laboratory:

The first session consisted of discussions centred on Annie and Paul’s development of Big Theatre to include their most recent productions, performances, projects and workshops.

We were given several opportunities to work in pair’s on the development of ideas using a variety of source material. I was struck by the articulation and dedication of each participant and was very inspired by approaches to solo/duet tasks. I worked with several individuals throughout the Laboratory but in particular I was drawn to a participant from Russia, Kisenya Petrenko. Kisenya is a director based in Chelyabinsk. We worked together towards the end of the choreographic lab, her as a director, I as the choreographer. Our process had minimal discussion due to her limited English, although Olga (the translator) did translate when necessary. During our collaboration I found we had completely opposing development methods and working process and yet this was so refreshing and some how led into us having a seamless process. I was interested in the way in which she brought a specific idea forward, and was not interested the final outcome or result but more so the process of which was taken too arrive at her result.

I am truly transformed by observation, interaction, and the exchange of ideas and processes with fellow directors and choreographers. During the laboratory we often had periods to reflect and discuss the work created, which gave a new analytical tools to evaluate and observe decisions which are made by both choreographer and director.

From the start of organising my visit to the Pillow, I had a substantial amount of support organising a visa and travel to the Pillow from Galen Danskin, Kate Maguire-Rosier Rebecca Zisook, Thasia Giles and J.R Glover. Support included travel directions, insurance, emergency contact numbers and pick up from a small town near the Pillow.

Conclusion:

This project was undertaken with big thanks to both Jacobs Pillow Scholarship Fund to include (Galen Danskin, Kate Maguire-Rosier, Rebecca Zisook, Thasia Giles and J.R. Glover) and Lisa Ullmann Travelling Scholarship Fund. This trip was hugely beneficial and allowed for a mutual exchange between artists from Russia - St. Petersburg, Moscow, Chicago, NYC, Louisiana, Ohio, Maryland and Boston.

As a result of my trip to Jacobs Pillow I have now made new contacts which have opened up opportunities for collaborations and exchanges. I made the most of every opportunity handed to me and I feel as though I got the most possible benefit from the laboratory. I am convinced that this experience will leave a resonance within my creativity and working practise for many years to come!

Upon my return to the UK I began a new performance and community engagement project (Body Basic) with my company, Pair Dance supported by Arts Council England, UnLtd Award, Hertsmere Borough Council, The Co-operative Group and O2 it’s your community award. We also have our first full evening of three works presented on 28^th October 2009 at Croydon Clocktower, UK. The evening will include two current works performed in Canada, Turkey, Denmark, Spain, USA and UK plus one new work. We hope the trustees will be available to attend.

As a result of being awarded scholarships from both Jacobs Pillow and Lisa Ullmann I have planned to engage further through projects, dialogue and collaborations in Russia (St Petersburg and Moscow in 2010).

Thank you all so much for believing in my artistic history and future, enough to award both travel and creative development. It has been of great benefit to my development as a director, choreographer and performer.

Thank you all

Harriet xx