Countertechnique Into Creation with Founder Anouk Van Dijk

Application Deadline: Dec 5, 5:00 pm EST

Monday Dec. 16: Accepted applicants notified
Tuesday, Dec. 31: Participant fee due

Drop-in: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Drop-in Rate: $25 per session

The workshop will start with a 2-hour Countertechnique class, followed by a 1hr Practical Tools session, which will introduce different tools each day. After lunch, we will bring Countertechnique tools into the creative process. Departing from some of Anouk van Dijk’s recent works, we will look into choreographic methodologies where improvisation, composition and performing are intrinsically linked, with the act of creation as an ongoing dialogue. Be prepared to move, sweat, laugh, think, try, err, and challenge yourself in this workshop. The Countertechnique class and Practical Tools session are all about enabling dancers to move bigger, more fluidly and more spatially, while becoming more aware of their surroundings. The Creation segment will be aimed at professional dancers who look for creative strategies, both as performer and devisor. Be prepared to work quickly, think creatively and perform at a high physical level.

ABOUT COUNTERTECHNIQUE

Countertechnique is a movement system to help the dancer think about the dancing body, focusing on the process of incorporating information into action. Within a clear structure of exercises, the Countertechnique class thoroughly prepares the body for rehearsal and performance, enabling dancers to move bigger, more fluidly and more spatially, while becoming stronger and more flexible. The Practical Tools Sessions offer more in depth and personalized information on how to implement the tools from Countertechnique in class, rehearsal and performance.

Anouk van Dijk Biography

Anouk van Dijk (NL/AU) is the Founder of Countertechnique. She has been the Artistic Director of Australian contemporary dance company Chunky Move from 2012 – 2019. Before moving to Australia in 2012, Anouk van Dijk had an extensive career as a choreographer and dancer in Europe. Starting her career as a dancer in the late 80’s, Van Dijk formed her own dance company in 1998 in Amsterdam, producing twenty full-length works that toured the globe. In 2012 Van Dijk was awarded the Golden Swan (Gouden Zwaan) – the Netherlands’ most prestigious dance accolade – in recognition of her outstanding artistic and academic contribution to dance in her home country. Since arriving in Australia in 2012, Anouk van Dijk has created eleven further full evening works for Chunky Move, which have toured internationally extensively. Anouk works currently as a free-lance choreographer, director and educator, and amongst others prepares a new creation for Germany’s renowned theatre, the Münchner Kammerspiele, to premiere October 2020.

Charles Slender-White Biography

Born in the US, Charles is based in San Francisco (USA).  Charles graduated with honours from the University of California, Berkeley with degrees in Dance & Performance Studies and English Literature. From 2006-2008, he worked extensively throughout Russia and Europe, performing with Tatiana Baganova’s Provincial Dances Theatre, teaching, and creating choreography. In 2008, he returned to his native California to create FACT/SF, a contemporary dance company based in San Francisco. Charles became a certified Countertechnique teacher in 2012, and has taught at the American Dance Festival, Kannon Dance (St Petersburg), The Fringe Club (Hong Kong), and others, and currently teaches Countertechnique throughout the San Francisco Bay Area at ODC, the SF Conservatory of Dance, and Shawl-Anderson Dance Center. 

Charles will be Anouk van Dijk’s assistant throughout the four-day workshop.

Photo by Michael Slobodian.

ACCESSIBILITY

Gibney 280 Broadway is accessible via elevator from the main entrance at 53A Chambers Street.

For access requests or inquiries, please contact Elyse Desmond, Director of Operations and Facilities, by completing our Access Requests and Inquiries Form, or at 646.837.6809 (Voice only).