“Commenting"

I have been very interested in the reoccurring question in improv of how we as performers deal with text in space. Is text truly an element that can possibly be part of a natural hierarchy (where elements arise to the forefront as they are needed, and do not dictate the focus)? more on natural hierarchy For example, during our solo quad work there will be four people up, doing solos, specifically choosing not to take influence from each other, and it seems that we can keep those solos discrete even with a soundscape playing. However, as soon as spoken text is introduced, it permeates the space, and it is quite challenging not to be influenced by it. Yet there are times when text seems to support the space, the improv, the unity of the whole, and other times that it seems to be distracting or uncentered. I believe somehow this has to do with “commenting”. Just as movement choices can be commenting on a situation, and not actually in it, or as Miriam suggested, can be a “cop-out” of the form, I believe that sometimes text can be used that way too.

Intrigued by our discussions of recycling of materials and sustainability in our art making, I came across the following sentence from a Zero Waste Site, “Instead of managing wastes, we will manage resources and strive to eliminate waste”.

Perhaps sometimes with our use of text there is a feeling of “wastefulness” that comes about? How can we be as conscious (without being self conscious) about our text? In the same way we think about speed, duration, influence, imitation, or color, texture and variation on a theme with movement?