It’s been only two weeks since the news broke of Nancy Stark Smith’s death; it seems so much longer, somehow. Which is perhaps an effect of coronavirus time. And yet, isn’t she still alive? Aren’t we going to see her…
Nancy Stark Smith (1952–2020)
Nancy Stark Smith passed away this past Friday, May 1, 2020, from ovarian cancer. I got the news on Saturday from a Facebook post by Christina Svane that was shared around the world; Contact Quarterly has also posted a brief…
All ongoing New York City contact improvisation events suspended under further notice
Update Tuesday, March 17, 2020, 12:20am:As reflected on the Contact Improvisation in NYC page on this blog, all ongoing contact improvisation events in New York City have been suspended until further notice. This includes: Monday class, Tuesday pre-jam class, Tuesday…
A Helpful Supplement to Myth #6: “It’s just not my thing” — addressing facilitator doubts (Part 2 of 2)
In Part 1 of this article, “Myth #6: Written guidelines keep CI spaces safe,” I discussed why having written guidelines is an insufficient strategy for creating safer CI spaces, and explained why CI teachers and facilitators need to model talking…
Myth #6: Written guidelines keep CI spaces safe (Part 1 of 2)
I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but in 2020, written guidelines alone are not sufficient for contact improvisation (CI) communities to uphold a standard of intolerance toward sexual transgressions on and around the dance floor. No matter…
Myth #5: I can handle it myself
I’ve heard it expressed that it’s patronizing, or paternalistic, to suggest that people can’t “handle” themselves, set their own boundaries or make educated choices about how and with whom they dance. In other words, some people in the CI community…