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From the Dancers: Rehearsals for AFTER DUST

Friday, August 21st, 2009 by malashockdance

Today’s blog post comes from Theresa Anton, Malashock Company Dancer. See Theresa perform AFTER DUST and APOLOGIES FROM THE LOWER DECK in the Malashock Dance production SURFACE TENSION, October 10-11 at the Lyceum Theatre in Downtown San Diego.

Coming from Denver to rehearse a piece I knew nothing about and to work as half of a duet with a dancer I have never met was a bit risky, I know. But, I had met John, Michael, Nick and Matt while rehearsing “The Pearl Fishers” in Denver last spring and the opportunity to work with them again was not something I wanted to pass up. The duet is from “After Dust”, choreography by John Malashock, and the other half of the cast for this section, the beloved Christine Marshall.

Theresa Anton and Christine Marshall rehearsing AFTER DUST, choreography by John Malashock

I felt instantly at home with Christine and was struck by the physical similarities between us. Our first day of rehearsals went well as I got my bearings and started becoming familiar with a new style of work. One of the challenges of this duet is that as small as Christine and I both are (just barely 5’0”) we are accustomed to being the dancer thrown in the air and balanced precariously on others’ backs, arms, feet and so forth. This duet is different, we are not only the lifted, but the lifters; we not only had to learn to dance together as a pair, but work together to find the balance so important to partnering. My arms were sore for the first four days of rehearsal and I know that between now and when I return to San Diego to continue my rehearsals with The Company, I need to keep up the newly found upper-body strength.

Theresa Anton rehearsing AFTER DUST, choreography by John Malashock

It was a mild whirlwind of a week, flying in from Denver on Monday night, rehearsing all week and flying back home after rehearsal on Saturday, but I am so happy that I took that risk. I can’t wait for my return trip to Dance Place San Diego to learn “Apologies from the Lower Deck” and finish cleaning the sections from “After Dust”. It has already been such a treat to work with such a wonderful group of artists and friends…I can’t wait for the honor to take the stage with them.

Theresa Anton
Malashock Dance Company Dancer

Tags: contemporary, contemporary dance, dance, dance performance, dance performances, dance rehearsals, dancer, john malashock, malashock, malashock dance, modern dance, performance, performing arts, san diego, southern california, surface tension, theresa anton
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From the Dancers: Rehearsals for Surface Tension

Tuesday, August 11th, 2009 by malashockdance

Today’s blog post comes from Matt Carney, Malashock Company Dancer. See Matt perform WAYWARD GLANCES in the Malashock Dance production SURFACE TENSION , October 10-11 at the Lyceum Theatre in Downtown San Diego.

My feelings heading into rehearsal with Malashock Dance Associate Artistic Director Michael Mizerany are usually filled with anticipation, interest, and maybe a little fear. You know the work will be guttural and athletic with a dash of passion and angst, but know that it will come at a cost.

Matt Carney and Blythe Barton rehearsing for Michael Mizerany's new work WAYWARD GLANCES

Honestly, a half hour into our first five-hour rehearsal for WAYWARD GLANCES I was already bleeding, sweating, and bruised and wondered how I would even finish. Before I knew it, I was caught up in my character and the safety of my partner that I started living in the piece. The movement began to develop meaning and a true partnership began. Working with a new partner takes, aside from time, trial and error to find a solid connection. Some lifts and partnered balances take many attempts, many falls to see what will work. Working with Blythe has made that process easy, with her focused work ethic and of course her long, beautiful body. I feel that I am finally doing movement that I was trained to do and am just enjoying the process. I look forward to seeing how the piece will develop.

As for the aches and pains…just part of the lifestyle of a dancer. When I walk, I am not just walking, I feel the sensation of my tight quads with every step. I’m forced to meditate as I fall asleep trying to find a part of my back that is not sore. Every time I stand up or sit down in a chair I feel every inch of my body. Such a crazy life to choose, I’m glad it chose me.

Matt Carney
Malashock Company Dancer