I Am a Dancer

When registering for classes during my first semester at Prescott College, I was overwhelmed by all the interesting classes available. I was particularly curious about the Beginning Dance and Improvisation course. I found myself torn because I loved to dance but was doubtful of the nature of an improvisation class and skeptical to enroll because dance has nothing to do with my major. Thankfully, I took my academic advisor’s advice and enrolled in the class anyways. I could not have made a better decision.

Performing "The Grid" exercise.  We could only move in right angles.

I cannot describe how much I learned throughout the course of dance class. Right from the beginning, my classmates and I were challenged to maintain a deep connection with our bodies. Every class brought on a new challenge whether it was learning to move around the room blindfolded, turning poetry into motion, or mirroring others in their dancing. It was incredible to see our individual movements come to life without being taught any techniques or choreography. We were discovering how to move for ourselves while dancing to our own unique rhythms. Every day I emerged from class feeling great both mentally and physically.

Dancing to live drumming at community lunch.  Everyone could join in!

One of the best feelings that resulted from taking Dance and Improvisation was realizing that I was utilizing principles from class in every day life. I found myself turning to dance as something therapeutic whenever I was stressed. I had less pains and aches because I was more in tune with my body and what I needed to do to better care for it. I had more confidence whenever the urge to dance would come over me and was no longer afraid to be the first person on the dance floor.

Doing a spiral dance in the town square during Halloween

Because dance class allowed for so much in depth discussion and sharing, my classmates and I developed a strong bond. It was very reassuring to be surrounded by people who fully supported one another. I never felt self-conscious dancing in front of my classmates and I was always encouraged to be authentic in my words and movements. As sad as it was to see the class come to an end, I am thankful that we all still keep in touch and continue to have epic dance sessions whenever the moment strikes.

An edit of us in a "Flocking" exercise

There are many things I hope will define me during my time here at Prescott College. For now, I can revel in the fact that amongst everything else, I am a dancer. I will always reflect back at my time in dance class and remember how it allowed me to feed my hunger for creativity, community, self-awareness, and expression. It is that same hunger which allows us to continually grow and evolve into the people we are meant to be. That is the gift that Prescott College gives and I am excited for all of you to take advantage of it.

The whole class after our final performance

~Renee Daniel, 02/2012

Put Yourself Out There

 I first heard of Prescott College through a good friend of mine who genuinely talked of finally finding herself in a place she completely felt at home, a place that she felt grounded. Not being satisfied with my present situation, I took a look at this school myself. The description of Prescott’s experiential method of teaching seemed to be written as a tactical approach to infiltrate my mind with knowledge and awareness. I then excitedly applied, got accepted and after getting past my inherent skepticism that typically accompanies any big decision in my life, enrolled for the fall term. I took a leap of faith and trusted that Prescott College would help me to flourish and channel my ambition to learn and explore in a stronger direction than any ever before. I can now honestly say that I am amazed on a daily basis by how at home, grounded and a part of something I feel here at Prescott. Not to mention my amazement of the beautiful natural surroundings.

            I have always been one to explore. My interests range from creative improvisational dance and performance to the hard science and politics of our world food systems all the way to outdoor recreational endeavors. Luckily for me, Prescott’s provides me with the ability to explore the many facets of my interests and self though their diverse curriculum. Some of these passions and interests such as Dance, I didn’t even know I had until I enrolled in a class this past semester. As a result, I’ve discovered a beautiful new means of self-expression and creativity. I plan to pursue more performance opportunities in the future.

            As much as I may preach to explore all your interests, a common worry among students and a lot of parents is staying on track and sticking to a reliable path in ones education to insure graduation, “success”, a job, ect. To me, staying on track from the start implies that the student has a solid idea of what exactly they want to do and they stick to a narrow path to accomplish it. Although this may work for some, for others including myself, the problem with this sort of templated, “one size fits all” sort of education does not take into consideration the new doors and opportunities that can be opened as a result of exploring. Once again, the fact that I attend Prescott College, a school that works with students to accomplish their own specific goals, is serving me greatly. Here at Prescott you have the ability to direct yourself, your learning and what exactly you want your degree to say. You direct your education every step of the way, to in the end, have created a perfect experience for yourself that caters to your individual passions and ambitions. How would you ever know your limits or where you may ultimately thrive the most unless you test all the potential waters?

            Along with exploration and risk-taking comes the inevitable “mistakes” as well. I would however, not consider any interests I have chosen to explore and then later realized I’m not exactly passionate about mistakes. For everything I’ve pursued and the classes I’ve chosen to take that I’ve later decided to pursuer no further, I’ve gained a whole new level of awareness in that area. Whether that awareness was because of a realization as to why I’m not interested in this after all or because it may be applicable to my everyday life but not my degree plan is irrelevant. Either way, I learned and critically examined whatever it was that I was faced with. I gained awareness and knowledge that has contributed to the overall development of my whole self. To my understanding, this is the ultimate goal of not only education but also life. So go ahead, take a chance. Put yourself out there, see what happens and reflect on it. Really, what do you have to lose? Take advantage of the opportunities you have and trust yourself, being the strong individual that you are that you’ll piece all the separate parts together while expanding your awareness everyday.

-Ross Sullivan, 01/12/2012

Prima Spira

There is no denying it, at times we must face our shadow...and the shadows of the world. Viewing this darkness does not always have to be deigned evil, it can help us grow and learn so that we may become that much brighter and whole within ourselves. Acknowledging the range of different aspects of light and dark within our beings allows for an integration that breathes harmony and truth. This is Prima Spira, the first breath of this understanding. Prima Spira is a play that has been written and directed by my roommate, Rebecca Antsis, as an Independent Study.  The study is named Women's Nature, Ritual and Experimental Theater, and this production is an apt reflection of its title. I have always thought a lot of Rebecca, but through this play I have seen how Prescott College has supported her freedom to express what can only be described as pure genius. Sometimes dark, often achingly beautiful, Prima Spira is an exploration in theater courting mythical ritual. There is no dialogue, though there is impassioned use of the human voice in non-lingual patterns. Using powerful music to echo the energy of lore, the play sets a stage for a culmination of different dance styles interlacing to create an incredible tale. The dancing incorporates aspects of butoh, bellydance, classical, and flamenco as well as touch-flow improvisation. Having such a spectrum of styles allows for a space to really root in with rituals of ancient and modern flow, creating a transformation in all who are involved.

I have never taken a dance or theater class at Prescott College, but it has been an amazing experience getting to be involved with an artistic production of this caliber. It just goes to show you don't have to be majoring in the Arts to be involved artistically here. Through this play I have connected to a way of expression and a community that has inspired me to the core.

This brings me to my favorite part of the whole production: the coming together of strong women in the community in order to explore ritual and dance together. The play involves thirteen women (a sacred number in ancient ritual) who span from childhood to silver hair, reflecting the many archetypes of female beings. It has been inspiring seeing the growth of the actresses and director through the exploration of these archetypes. These archetypes include the Dark Mother, the shadow of life, Kali, who dances creation and destruction, Salome, the femme fatale, La Llorona, the woman driven to insanity, as well as archetypes that reflect the innocent child, the primordial female being and many many more. Through acknowledging these different archetypes that are in all of us, the women in the production have been able to share wisdom, experience and vibes to grow and create something that is intrinsically powerful.

As Rebecca has often said, you must sweat your prayers. Prescott College has given life and support to a work of art that does just that.

Dance, when you're broken open. 

Dance, if you've torn the bandage off.
Dance in the middle of the fighting.
Dance in your blood.
Dance, when you're perfectly free.

~Rumi

-Brittany "Davi" Davis, 12.15.2011

Here is a pic of the flyer. Cheers!