Classes
Invented Apparatus – Intermediate – Week A only
Week A: Mon, Aug. 1 – Fri, Aug. 5. 1:00-2:30 PM. Location: FFP 1. $150
Pre-requisites: Ages 14+. Must have an intermediate level of experience on horizontal aerial apparatus (lyra, dance trapeze or static trapeze) AND enjoy improvisational exploration.
Invented apparatus engages you in an exploration through guided improvisation on a variety of suspended apparatus from Frequent Flyers’ stash. Learn how to work on structures that are unpredictable using shared weight and gravity to advantage. We’ll play with solo, duet and group improvisations while building the skills to be able to approach any new apparatus safely and with a fresh approach. Open your mind and explore, unlock your creativity.
Ground-to-Air Choreography Workshop – Intermediate – Week B only
Week B: Mon, Aug. 8-Fri, Aug. 12. 3:00-4:30 PM. Location: FFP 1. $150.
Pre-requisites: Ages 16+. Must have intermediate skills on one of the apparatus: fabric, sling, or dance trap and a craving to experiment, explore and create!
This workshop in aerial dance choreography on mixed apparatus (fabric, sling, dance traps) will explore the choreographic elements of working in the air, especially the air–to–ground and back-again transitions, the effect of vertical space on the viewer, the kinesthetic translation of the flying experience to the audience and how the aerial component(s) affect(s) the basic choreographic elements of time, space, and energy. We will examine the different aesthetic approaches to creating an aerial dance such as theme and variation, structured improvisation, movement qualities, how to successfully blend movement from ground to air, and more. Students will compose short choreographic studies as part of the class.
About Nancy
Nancy Smith originally wanted to be an astronaut or a racecar driver and instead became the founder and artistic director of Frequent Flyers® Aerial Dance since its inception in 1988 and the Aerial Dance Festival since 1999. She teaches Aerial Release Technique (A.R.T.) around the US with over 34 years aerial teaching experience. She has created more than 105 original works / evening-length choreography. Her work with Frequent Flyers has been seen in Boston, California, Louisiana, Virginia, Montreal, the Bahamas, Washington, D.C. and throughout Colorado. Nancy has received numerous awards including “Living Legend of Dance in Colorado,” “Women Who Light the Community”, “Cutting Edge” Award, the “Pacesetters Award” for Arts and Entertainment, a Neodata Endowment Fellowship in Dance, and the “Arts Innovation Award.” She also is an instructor at Univ. of Colorado’s Dance Dept. spreading the joy of Aerial Dance. Along with co-author, Jayne Bernasconi, she wrote the first book on the history / theory of Aerial Dance (Human Kinetics, 1988).