Malta 2018- week twentythree

Monday

Today continued into my personal week and so I wasn’t in university. I am dreading what tomorrow will come but cannot wait to be back in the dance environment with my colleagues and friends,dancing out any emotion I have inside.

Tuesday

My first day back and I missed first class- release.

When I got to university the energy was low- everyone was tired and having one of those days, but knowing I wasn’t the only one down helped me a bit. We had ballet with Lucia and even though I thought I would, I wasn’t in performance mode. I could pick up exercises quite well but didn’t feel like a ballerina. As class progressed the ballerina princess feeling began to some back- nothing a bit of pop ballet cant get out of us.

Body conditioning today was the most diverse from all my previous classes. We sat and worked our arms with therabands with many exercises I had never seen, ranging from lifting arms pushing against the band to downward dog to plank resistance walks. I was so glad I was here to experience this class and learn something a little different and easy to do anywhere. I need to get back to working with the therabands collecting dust in my drawers.

Last week in dance and performance theory, I missed a question-answer session with an ex-principle Martha Graham dancer Blakely White-McGuire!. Class began by discussing last week and her passion for dance and the graham technique. We then looked at work by Anne Cooper-Albright (who will becoming to Malta in a few weeks and I am IN LOVE with some of her theories) and Bill T Jones. We concluded class discussing dissertation ideas (written) which has changed my view on the practical themes I want to explore. In 3 weeks we need to propose a title of research.

The day ended with collective performance, with a close show deadline we moved slowly through old material to recap. I can see the time and energy put in by our director but can also see where it is not reciprocated, which is a shame as there are some good ideas that could be explored deeper. I am eager to do a full run- hopefully in Thursday- so I can he a better feel for the piece.

Wednesday

Today being my shorter day, I was finished by 11:20. Contact improvisation was my FAVOURITE class in a while as it was physically demanding but so fun to be able to let loose and mimic a creature (complete with sound effects). The choreography to form the creature is something I would love to work with and adapt and expand for other choreographies but create in a similar method.

Today was a day of getting my life back together, doing some chores and getting a new alarm clock (as my phone conveniently stopped working yesterday) as well as having the university justify to me that to drop modules I can’t attend I need to pay for each. I accept university here is free for Maltese residents but I am paying (considerably less than the UK) for the year and so shouldn’t have to pay to alter a timetable I have been attending.

I am beginning to look into sports massage courses, to help with my dance school set up, and as additional information on what bodies (including mine) need and heal prevent injury.

Thursday

Collective days always seem like they will never end and kill me with the morning start the next day, but I know in a month once the show is done I’ll have h more time. This semester I am really working on priorities.

1. Dance, improve and dance smartly

2. Improve strength (particularly arms) and flexibility (hamstrings)

3. Be happier

4. Explore Malta

5. Worry less

It was really nice to be back into two morning technique classes and have healthier performer (my FAVORITE module). We looked at back alignment and how our feet move. I already knew that my right foot swings out when I walk instead of moving forward, but when analysing each others posture I was reassured that my hips were in line and in fact I no longer tuck out. Happy days.

Today in collective we did our first full run which didn’t go too badly. This is probably the less stressed I’ve been for a show (which I’m of taking as a good thing as it means I have invested less of myself into it). Beginning March we have a crazy rehearsal schedule wit 10 hour days each day leading to the show- not looking forward to that.

Friday

Classes went really quick today, and I spent improvisation laughing the whole way through. I always struggle with my work self and my self and tend to be over professional that no one sees the real me. I feel this stating to slip meaning I am now comfortable where I am and who I am with. I can see my progress (and even had teachers comment on how far I’ve come) meaning I am more relaxed in class as my body understands what is being asked of it and I can now push for more technique instead of being left behind.

Before I knew it I’m sat on campus in photography. We were learninhow cameras work- how to build a pin hole camera and types of shutter speeds and their uses (with examples). Our lecturer has the most immense camera collection and was showing us different models of cameras through the years starting with the most beautiful 1890 Kodak first portable camera. I am charging up my batteries when I get home and checking out the functions closer on my camera.

This evening I had work and my brain was just not with my body.

Saturday

A day of rest and its just what I needed. Getting up at 10 was hard but I needed to get my phone fixed. 65€ later I have a functioning phone and chocolate to try and make my first ever home made moouse.

Sunday

Still exhausted for an emotional two weeks, I am up and ready for cave walks in the south of Malta. Camera packed I can’t wait to start experimenting and building portfolio and of course start seeing Malta with the weather being nice today.