Rehearsal Process Photo Session withThe Space Movement Project Chicago

The Space Movement Project is a Chicago-based dance company that works with a collaborative process, creating what they consider movement landscapes and thoughtful dance works. TSMP asked me if I could capture their unique process during one of their rehearsals this spring.

They wanted to capture their rehearsal process’s uniqueness. Heavily improvisation-based creation process with detailed discussions. For this rehearsal, they split into groups of two and for about 7 minutes would improvise together, really observing and listening to their partner’s movements and intentions. After each pair’s 7 minute score, the group would sit down and discuss what the “audience” observed, how the two improvising felt, connected, observed during their time performing and exploring.

What I found so interesting about capturing their process on camera and something we discussed during their rehearsal was that I was almost both a member of the performance and audience member as well. With me orbiting each duet’s sacred movement space, I became part of the dance to those observing against the walls. Though I did not feel as though I was performing in any way, I felt that I had a unique way of being an audience member that most do not have, as I was free to move around the space, get as close or far away from the dancers as I needed. TSMP’s process and discussion always lends itself to seeing things from new perspectives.

I believe that through this style of process is how The Space Movement Project creates such deeply connected work.

Learn more about The Space Movement Project here.

Rehearsal photos took place at The Rooted Space Studio in North Center, Chicago.