Dance and the Specific Image : Improvisation

After a career in dance as a performer, choreographer, and teacher - Daniel Nagrin has now written this book. In it he explores the roots of his aesthetic philosophy, influenced by Stanislavski, Helen Tamiris, Joseph Chaikin and the Open Theatre, and his work on and off Broadway as an actor and a dancer. "Dance and the Specific Image" includes over 100 improvisational structures that Nagrin created with his company, the Workgroup, and has taught in dance classes and workshops all over the United States. Designed primarily for dancers, many can be adapted for actors and musicians. In the 1960s, at a time when many modern dancers were working with movement as abstraction, Nagrin turned instead towards movement as metaphor. His passionate belief that dance must be about something led him to found Workgroup, a small company of dancers who, in the early 1970s, devoted themselves to the practice and performance of improvisation. "Dance and the Specific Image" is designed to be read by the general reader interested in dance history and philosophy as well as by students and teachers who may benefit from the techniques he describes. Nagrin invites the reader into the mind of a dancer totally absorbed in his art.

After an extraordinary career in dance - as a performer, choreographer, and teacher - Daniel Nagrin has now written an extraordinary book.  In it he explores the roots of his aesthetic philosophy, influenced by Stanislavski, Helen Tamiris, Joseph Chaikin and the Open Theatre, and his work on and off Broadway as an actor and dancer.

Dance and the Specific Image includes over one hundred improvisational structures that Nagrin created with his new company, the Workgroup, and has taught in dance classes and workshops all over the United States.  Designed primarily for dancers, many can be adapted for actors and even musicians.

In the 1960s, at a time when many modern dancers were working with movement as abstraction, Nagrin turned instead toward movement as metaphor.  His passionate belief that dance must speak of people led him to found the Workgroup, a small company of dancers who, in the early 1970s, devoted themselves to the practice and performance of improvisation.

Nagrin invites the reader into the mind of a dancer totally absorbed in his art, one who writes with wisdom and authority about what it means to be an artist.

Contents 8 Introduction 10 Part I: History and Theory 16 1. Before the Workgroup 18 2. The Open Theatre, 1969 26 3. On the Road, 1969–1970 30 4. The Workgroup Workshop, 1969 50 5. The Precursor Workgroup, 1969 64 6. The First Workgroup, 1971–1972 87 7. The Second Workgroup, 1972–1973 126 8. The Final Workgroup, 1973–1974 142 9. On the Road Again, 1974– 156 10. Improvising Jazz, 1990 174 Part II: Practice 186 11. Teaching, Directing and Performing Improvisation 188 12. Playing Areas, Lights and Costumes 208 13. Music, Musicians and Improvisation 214 Appendix A: Helen Tamiris 224 Appendix B: A Dialogue 226 Appendix C: Hello Farewell Hello 236 Sequential Index of EGAS 246 Alphabetical Index of EGAS 248 Subject Index 250 The First In A Trilogy Of Books By One Of The Leading Figures In American Dance, Dance And The Specific Image Includes More Than 100 Improvisational Structures That Daniel Nagrin Created With His Company, The Workgroup, And Taught In Dance Classes And Workshops Throughout The United States. Robby Barnett Of The Pilobolus Dance Theater Called The Book A Vivid And Fascinating Document Of His Thinking—more Movement And Performance And, Of Course, On His Own Extraordinary Life In Dance. "The honesty, energy, and directness that have characterized the author's distinguished performing, teaching, and directing career are apparent throughout this new book". Choice