Dance is like poetry of the hips not the lips...

Dance is like poetry of the hips not the lips
when i tell others i'm a dancer i clarify with,
"but i don't make any tips"
making dance is fun but its definitely no party.
Here's a taste of the creative process with Margi.

It starts with an idea, maybe a book or some quotes
we talk it over, think it out, and each jot down some notes
we use our official notebooks to write stories and words
when it comes to the creative process
we leave no resource unturned.

Its a full body experience, from your fingers to your toes
using every fiber and every ounce to make solos
we rub them into duets and smash them into trios
Margi adds her flare here and there
and the dance, its starts to form.

We watch and give notes, we try one thing then another
we space it out and pace it out and when it doesn't work
we take a breath or even ten and regroup to start again.

Sometimes its hard to see the vision but we know we're always close
we put our faith in our fearless leader and she pulls all the ropes.
She asks us questions or gives us directions
she knows the big picture but never forgets the small
her magic is in the details and how she composes it all.

It has to be a challenge at 9 O'clock at night
but she's always ready, always thinking
always challenging us with what we're making
the point of the toe or touch of a hand
it never slips past her when it comes to small details
she is a master.

It can be frustrating and it can get long
there's no formula and sometimes there is no song
you just have to get out there and start with an idea
you let it grow and sometimes change
you give it life and then a name
we make it ours and hold it close
and then share it with those who love dance most.

Tuesday and Thursday nights at our beloved Drucker Center
we meet with Margi, its no party
but we're proud of what we do and who we do it with
and in a month and a few weeks you will get to experience it.

It's a very open forum, this creative process
its ever changing always engaging
and i can only hope i will get better at it with time.

Submitted by TDC Dancer Olivia May on Tuesday, December 4, 2012.