Choreography
Approach and Process
How can a performance discover itself as it happens? I am fascinated by choreographic questions; a thoughtful set of parameters, set up like an experiment, to allow action to unfold. The question provides direction and focus, while holding space for a multiplicity of possible responses. As a result, the performance can “live” in the present tense, as opposed to referencing a set of decisions made in the past, and is never more or less right or wrong. This is my approach to choreographic creation; known intersects with unknown and the performer is tasked to access all of their skills and resources in the moment to follow the emergent pathway of inquiry.
My challenge is always to honour the particular constellation of conditions that are present. Can I be in dialogue with what is real to me at any given moment? Can I practise radical resourcefulness as a starting point? My interest is in creating site, time and people-specific situations that begin with reality and then move towards the unreal or the abstractly utopian; allowing myself, students, collaborators and audience members to contemplate alternative possibilities. Elements of the obvious, pragmatic and casual collide with manifestations of the imagination.
VIDEO BANNER CREDITS (in order of appearance): 1. A Study on Collision and Empathy (Videography by Aria Evans / Choreography by Justin de Luna and David Norsworthy. More info and full credits). 2. when I start (Choreography and Performance by David Norsworthy). 3. Possibilities of Dialogue (Videography by Fourth Frame Films / Choreography by Marielis Garcia and David Norsworthy. More info and full credits.). 4. Night Danger (Choreography by David Norsworthy / Performance by Judy Luo and David Norsworthy, with Iskwē). 5. The Elusive Truth (Videography by Andrew David Terris / Choreography by David Norsworthy, in collaboration with Mairi Greig). More info and full credits). 5. Solo Improvisation. 6. Super (Videography by Fourth Frame Films / Choreography by David Norsworthy / Performance by JT Papandreos, Ryan Lee, Austin Diaz, Jonathan Campbell, Robbie Moore and David Norsworthy). 7. The Elusive Truth (see above). 8. You/You (Choreography by David Norsworthy / Performance by Ingrid Kapteyn and David Norsworthy). 9. Solo Phrase-work. 10. A Study on Collision and Empathy (see above). 11. Possibilities of Dialogue (see above). 12. You/You (see above).
Influences and Fascinations
Visualizing choreographic data and physical thinking through different lenses:
Synchronous Objects, a project based on choreography by William Forsythe
On re-imagining “productivity”, deepening attention, and choreographing context:
How to Do Nothing, a talk by Jenny Odell
A work that invites autonomy and frames dancing as a communal process:
explore CHOREOGRAPHic projects
Commissions
CanAsian Dance KickStart (Toronto)
School of Toronto Dance Theatre (Toronto)
Victoria School of the Arts (Edmonton)
Point Park University (Pittsburgh)
Pulse Conference (Ottawa)
Lamondance (Vancouver)
The Equus Projects (New York)
Residencies
ArtsOnSite (New York)
Kaatsbaan International (Tivoli)
Dance Initiative (Carbondale)
Inception to Exhibition (New York)
TanzFabrik / Lake Studios (Berlin)
Toronto Dance Theatre’s Emerging Voices Project (Toronto)
Festivals/MIXED PROGRAMS/SERIES
Evolve! Performing Arts Program (Toronto)
Dixon Place (New York)
Kinetic Studio (Halifax)
Pulse Ontario Dance Conference (Toronto)
Dance Matters (Toronto)
OnSite/InSight Festival (Winston-Salem)
Our Three Voices (Stockholm)
STUFFED at Judson Church (New York)
Broadway Connection Beat (New York)
Inception to Exhibition Festival (New York)
Wave Rising Series (Brooklyn)
Dumbo Dance Festival (Brooklyn)
Steps on Broadway Lab (New York)
ArtPowersArusha (Arusha)
Juilliard-in-Aiken Festival (Aiken)