PARIP 2005

International Conference | 29 June - 03 July 2005

Hecht: Thomas | UK

Creativity in the Development of a Narrative for Ballet

A Dance-Practice-as-Research Project

ABSTRACT           

This exploratory paper examines creativity in the development of a narrative for ballet. The study investigated the creative approach of participating young dance professionals during a ten week dance laboratory within a university level instructional setting at Central School of Speech and Drama. Four dancers, trained in classical and various contemporary dance techniques, participated in this dance-practice-as-research project that offered the opportunity to investigate the application of creativity theories towards the codified framework of classical ballet. This reflective account identifies key concepts of researching creativity in experimental ballet. During this project, various theories of creativity theories have been incorporated into the practical rehearsal process to explore and stimulate creativity in the development of characters and story-line for William Walton's ballet suite ´The Wise Virgins`. The strictly codified framework of classical ballet was set as a starting point to explore notions of creativity-as-individual and creativity-as-collaboration. The choreographic process encouraged creative interaction between the four participants and led to conceptual slippage into contemporary technique within the classical ballet frame. Findings were collated in form of interviews and video-recording; experimental observations during the rehearsal process as well as retrospective observations of the participants after the rehearsal. Whilst having a multiplicity of findings, this paper will primarily focus on the development of the character for a narrative, its physical translation through experimental movement improvisation and exploration of psychological creativity. Further, it will seek to identify creative patterns and conceptual grounding of creativity in experimental ballet. This essay concludes with the concept of pushing boundaries which plays a vital role in creativity dance-practice-as-research.

THOMAS HECHT, London Contemporary Dance School at The Place, 17 Duke’s Road, WC1H 9PY London. (email: t.hecht@fashion.arts.ac.uk)

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