By exploring dance practice in its broadest sense, we examine not only the disciplines of physiology, biomechanics and psychology but also the role of somatic practices and embodied and perceptual processes as alternative, relevant ways of knowing, learning and creating dance. This can necessitate a range of methodologies and interdisciplinary approaches.
In the Dancers Mind
Trinity Laban, Coventry University and Plymouth University were awarded almost £250,000 from the Leverhulme Trust to conduct a three year (2014-17), in-depth analysis of the mental imagery used by performers to push the boundaries of contemporary dance.
The aim of this project was to examine what enables dancers to more effectively use mental imagery to generate novel movement material. It also examined how such mental techniques and methods can be taught most effectively, with a view to developing enhanced training programmes for aspiring dancers. The project was a collaboration between Trinity Laban, Coventry University and Plymouth University. More information and resources from this project can be found on the Plymouth University blog.
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Connection with Wayne McGregor
Wayne McGregor is Professor of Choreography at Trinity Laban. In addition to the screening and profiling work we have offered to Studio Wayne McGregor dancers, our research into creativity has drawn from McGregor’s Choreographic Thinking Tools, Mind and Movement. We have collaborated with the cognitive scientists and psychologists who have observed and documented McGregor’s creative processes to further extend and enhance our understanding of the science behind creativity and dance making.
