Kirstie draws her from her knowledge of contact improvisation, dance techniques, the Alexander technique, Aikido, meditation and her extensive experience of improvisation in performance. Her work explores the huge potential of the body’s response to the primal urge to move, inspired by the energy released through human interaction, physical challenge and a daring to go beyond inherent ideas of limitation. What moves us and why? There is deep inspiration and rigor in a practice of improvisation that posits vulnerability at its heart. Developing the skills to be able to care for, engage, respect and respond to that state of vulnerability in oneself and others gives life to improvisation that is powerful and transformative. This is the work that Kirstie engenders through facilitated exercises, open time for play and exploration, movement scores, observations and discussion. Much of the work is experienced through partnering and connection with others, balanced with solo time for processing and reflection. Kirstie’s art form is her life practice, and she shares insights gleaned from thirty-two years experience of loving and living dance improvisation.

Screen-Dance Performance Lab
The Screen–Dance Lab sessions are an opportunity for people to engage with Katrina and Kirstie who will share insights gleaned from their collaboration in creating the performance documentary film Force of Nature and on-going work. Both Katrina and Kirstie engage with their respective art forms as life practices. This is the context from which their teaching interests and styles have emerged and merge. The Lab will explore this perspective/context through: facilitated exercises; research of proposed themes; open time for play and experimentation; pushing boundaries while searching for new possibilities; and the opportunity for students to create and share their own work.Katrina and Kirstie are specifically interested in exploring the inter-changing role of dancer and camera, the observer and the observed, while filming and dancing.

In combination with the Screen-Dance Performance Lab: 10:30-12:30 + 17:00-20:00