Gallim Dance’s, Francesca Romo, loves the song “living it out” by Berlin-based Indie band planningtorock! Fran loves this unique electronic beat because it makes you want to “GET UP AND DANCE!”
Photo by: Arika Yamada
LISTEN TO FRAN’S SONG OF THE WEEK
HERE!!
An interview with Arika Yamada of Gallim Dance
by: Madeline Wilcox
“I think were all trying to find our place in this world. Whatever we find or whatever we do, we do it as if it is the most important thing for you. Each person has a role”
[M] What do you discover about your dancing when creating a new work?
[A] For this process, I am faced with my strengths and weaknesses every single day. For example, all of us will create a phrase that represents our individual strengths and characters. So what’s easy for Jonathan is not so easy for me, and vice versa. It’s been really interesting! [M] What inspires you the most about ‘Sit Kneel Stand’? [A] I like that Andrea is finding different characters within us, and I appreciate that everyone has defined characteristics and tasks. I think were all trying to find our place in this world. Whatever we find or whatever we do, we do it as if it the most important thing for you. Each person has a role. For example, I represent time, which is why I am constantly moving. The environment that everyone else creates is trying to push that time forward. [M] What do you think about when performing the work? [A] A lot of the research came from our residency at the JCC Manhattan. I was really into moving slowly. I usually move fast, but I wanted to explore new avenues. I tried to keep everything traveling because weight shift is everything when moving slowly. I would try to find a secret place to hide my right shoulder blade and other parts of my body, while moving consistently. Its funny because while I am moving slowly, Fran is going crazy around me so I have to find peace in my own internal silence. It’s really purifying. [M] Have you experienced any challenges during the development stage? If so, what has been the most challenging part in creating the new work? [A] When we were first introduced to the idea of working with a chair, we all had severe difficulties. I had to learn to make the chair an extension of my body and learn its weight. I had to really study the chair, and ask questions like ‘How will throwing the chair up in the air and back down effect my body?’ After five hours of working with the chair, I realized that I really enjoy it. [M] How do you prepare mentally and physically before performing an intense evening length work such as ‘Sit, Kneel, Stand’? [A] Company Class is definitely necessary to bring us all together, but we all have our own idea of what is needed. For instance, I might take a Gyrokinesis® class with Fran, while Caroline might take a ballet class. I need mind-body work before a performance so everything can be connected –putting the physical and mental together is key! [M] Any other thoughts about the process of creating ‘Sit Kneel Stand’? [A] At this point, it will be interesting to see what Andrea inserts. I think she’ll want to strengthen our characters. An actor, Christian, came into rehearsal one day because this piece is more theatrical than any other piece we’ve done. His feedback was really helpful with timing and transitions. To get a reaction from the audience, the timing has to be perfect. [A] It’s been really exciting learning this piece. Everyone has contributed through his or her own research with the chairs, movement explorations, and character developments. We’ve been hit with a lot of new information, which is great because we’re learning new techniques and creating new elements! 
Photo by: Emily Terndrup
Join Gallim Dance for a World Premiere at the Joyce Theater!
Friday, June 8 - Sunday, June 10 | 175 8th Avenue, New York, NY
Learn more about our Opening Night Celebration here. Purchase tickets to the Joyce here.
Gallim Dance always looks forward to going on tour— who doesn’t like getting away from the city grind for a few days? Even if we spend more time in the theater than doing any sight-seeing, it is always wonderful to meet new people everywhere we go. Last week was no exception as the company headed south to Virginia Beach, VA, to perform Mama Call and Pupil Suite at the beautiful Sandler Performing Arts Center.
We are so grateful for the overwhelming support and love we received from the Virginia Beach community.
Gallim Dance has recently completed its move into a new home at the Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn. This step is the realization of a dream for our young company— to have a consistent and welcoming space of our own will revolutionize the way we live and create work every day. When in New York, the company spends six days a week rehearsing in the studio, so believe us when we say that this move makes all the difference for the exhausted dancers and our hard-working choreographer!
Gallim Dance teamed up with the leadership and congregation of the Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew last year in a partnership that satisfied two different needs: we were looking for a home that would nurture and support our artistic vision; they were looking for an arts organization that would revitalize the community with educational programming and arts involvement.
The company’s new facility houses a beautiful rehearsal space (can’t beat stained glass windows!), administrative offices, and educational programming – including open rehearsals, classes, and workshops for pre-professional artists.
This move comes at an important time, as the company is currently deep in the development process of the new work SIT, KNEEL, STAND. It is a joy to come into our studio each morning for a new day of creating material, exploring the concept, rearranging the work, and defining the ideas and movements of the dance.
We are so excited to share the final product of SIT, KNEEL, STAND at the Joyce Theater in four short weeks!
Photos by: Emily Terndrup
"One does not discover the absurd without being tempted to write a manual on happiness."
—
Albert Camus, The Myth of Sisyphus
GALLIM at the JOYCE | JUNE 8-10.2012
"But man differs from other animals in one very important respect, and that is that he has some desires which are, so to speak, infinite, which can never be fully gratified, and which would keep him restless even in Paradise."
—
Bertrand Russell
GALLIM at the JOYCE | JUNE 8-10.2012
