The German Press Connects with Dancing to Connect

Untertürkheimer Zeitung, June 24, 2008
“This Is How School Should Be!”
Untertürkheim: German-American Dance project at the Luginsland School
(Untertürkheim is part of Stuttgart)
Like a peacock the 16-year-old proudly struts to the beat of the music in the gymnasium. In the middle of the room she suddenly stays standing. With chin held high and hands folded on the back she remains in position. Little by little the students arrive; they kneel, lay, or lean on each other. Some bury their faces in their hands and others throw their arms up, confident that they have successfully mastered the dance step. Feelings such as happiness, sadness, and bashfulness are reflected in their faces. At a snail’s pace they change to another position, embodying another feeling. The ensemble is repeated several times. “Good job”, praises appreciative Bafana Solomon Matea.

Together with Robin Cantrell he leads the German-American Dance-Workshop “Dancing to Connect” at the Untertürkheimer Luginsland School. Collectively with the American professional dancers the students choreograph a dance themselves. They will be performing this dance at the opening event of “American Days” on June, 26 2008 in the Wilhelma Theater for invited guests. According to Friederike Schulte, the Program Specialist at the German-American Center in Stuttgart, approximately 15 Stuttgart schools applied for this project in March. During the selection process it was valued that all school types are represented.

For 6 days 7th and 9th grade students from the Luginsland School have rehearsed for their big day. Therefore they train 5 hours daily in the gymnasium. Communication problems between the students and English speaking dance instructors only existed on the first day. When Robin Cantrell described communication with the students, she said: ”Dancing is movement, it is a language through movement”. In an emergency or if necessary one of the teachers jumps in as a translator.

Initially the dance instructor explained that the students were scared to mess up when learning a new dance step. That is what modern dance is all about, creatively expressing oneself. The instructors simply advised the students to simulate the movements of a soccer player or of feelings. The translation of a dance movement is alone the student’s job. Ninth grade student Vera Cristina Monteiro da Silva thought it was great that the students were allowed to actively participate in the choreography of the dances.

“This is how school should always be”, stated the enthusiastic Detlef Schmidt-Glöckler, principal of Luginsland School. He has always hoped that his students could make positive news some day. Through the dance project “Dancing to Connect” his wish should be fulfilled.

They did it!!!

"They" are the 100 kids from 5 Stuttgart high schools who dazzled the audiences at the Wilhelma Theater today! So much growth, so much composure, so much energy, so much esprit de corps!

We are sad to leave them behind but leave we must: Berlin awaits!

Hello Stuttgart! Welcome American Days!

Today's a big day: Battery Dance Company roosts in the jewel box Wilhelma Theater for two performances of Dancing to Connect. The real stars of the show are the 100 high school students who have worked tirelessly over the past 6 days with our teaching artists, and those of our partners in DTC, Drastic Action, creating five new dance pieces that are sure to inspire the audience today.

The Stuttgarter-Zeitung published a full page of photos and reportage yesterday and we've learned that the house will be jam-packed for both shows today.

Check back later for lots of interesting insights from the teaching artists!

Next up: Berlin and Freiburg!