Saysah - Creative Process Blog
Dancing Through Doubt: Reflections on Creative Alchemy in "Nobody Falls"
In the expansive realm of artistic expression, crafting a narrative is a delicate dance between the shadows of doubt and the luminosity of confidence. As I pen down my reflections on my role as a choreographer for "Nobody Falls,", I am compelled to unravel the intricate threads that form the tapestry of this creative journey.
“Nobody Falls" unfolds against the backdrop of Tkaronto during the pandemic. The story revolves around Moe, a Black nonbinary individual navigating the intricacies of a controlling relationship with the support of their muses. The Muses transcend conventional boundaries, they are the physical embodiment of Moe’s emotions rooted in guiding otherworldly yet natural spirits (ancestors). Their ethereal presence offers a poignant perspective on loss, underscoring the pivotal role of community support in times of need. Their role goes beyond traditional limits, navigating the profound grief of a breakup and offering a poignant perspective on loss and healing. Departing from traditional storytelling, "Nobody Falls" utilizes movement to convey the nuanced layers of a transformative journey of self-discovery. The choreography dynamically expresses Moe's journey, delving into the intersectionality of Black mental health, housing, polyamory, and queer imagination. It is a narrative woven with threads of love, despair, and repair, placing a central focus on the fluidity of spatializing grief as a manifestation of Black care ecologies. The piece blends elements of contemporary dance, contact improvisation, and intuitive movement practices.
This project is a milestone, marking my inaugural foray into the nuanced art of choreographing another's storytelling and vision. A journey teeming with anxieties and joys, it unfolds as a narrative of navigating self-doubt while surrendering to the transformative cadence of intuitive movement. I can’t help but notice the parallels between my process and the story arch of the piece.
At the epicentre of my creative process stands the profound concept of co-creation. Collaborating alongside an all-black and predominantly queer creative team has been pivotal in shaping both the narrative and movement of "Nobody Falls." The kaleidoscope of perspectives and life experiences within our team has imbued the storytelling with a richness that delves into the intricate themes of surrender, self-sabotage, and the survival narrative of Black queerness. This collective approach challenges conventional hierarchical structures, birthing a sense of communal ownership over the work, each stroke of movement a brushstroke on a collective canvas.
Intuitive movement, akin to a heartbeat, pulses at the core of the choreographic process. Drawing from trauma-informed somatic modalities, I have endeavored to decolonize the body, transforming it into a vessel for embodied storytelling—a medium for resistance and healing. Through the fluidity of improvisation and the synchronicity of contact improvisation, the dancers embody the labyrinthine journey of Moe, navigating the depths of despair and ascending to the peaks of self-discovery. The choreography weaves inspiration from the profound connection between nature and human experience. Integrating the symbolic significance of birds and trees, the dance unfolds as a visceral exploration of life's natural cycles. Informed by the intricate dance of natural cycles, the choreography in "Nobody Falls" becomes a poignant reflection of the interconnectedness between human emotions and the timeless rhythms of the Earth.
The path of a choreographer is not without its labyrinth of self-doubt and wavering confidence. In the crucible of uncertainty, I questioned the resonance of my abilities, pondering if I could authentically breathe life into Moe's story through movement. Yet, I've come to view these moments of doubt not as hindrances but as alchemical catalysts for metamorphosis within my practice. Embracing a lateral/horizontal style of creation, I have departed from the rigidity of traditional hierarchical choreographer-dancer relational structures, opting for a collaborative and inclusive approach. This shift has birthed a space for experimentation and spontaneity, resulting in a more dynamic and authentic portrayal of Moe's odyssey.
The role of intuitive movement in the annals of Black dance is an indelible legacy. From the jubilant movements of the ring shout to the improvisational tapestries woven by jazz and hip-hop, Black dance has perennially been a vehicle of resistance and self-expression. In "Nobody Falls," we pay homage to this storied tradition, centering intuitive movement as a conduit for reclaiming agency and spatializing grief within the realms of Black care ecologies.
This process has been so immensely informative for my practice, and transcends the mere confines of what I assumed could be within a dance-theatre piece; it stands as a testament to the transformative potency of collaborative storytelling and intuitive movement. In the collective wisdom of our communities, we find the strength to dance through doubt, heal through movement, resist through narrative, and ultimately reimagine our world views.