Dance Techniques 2010

Jennifer Muller — Muller Technique
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for ninety minutes, a topic which she considers to be intimately linked to
technique. This course targets principles of performance, presence, phrasing,
and onstage skills. After a break, students and the research team returned for
Muller’s ‘laboratory’—a two–hour teaching unit in which she presented and
discussed theory, system, and the basic tenets behind her work.
The research team included dancer and choreographer Vera Sander, dance
researcher Yvonne Hardt, and the sports studies scholar Martin Stern. To
conduct a systematic evaluation, they used audio and audiovisual equipment
to record the courses, laboratory meetings, and discussions. 1 Along with participating
in class, the analysis of Muller’s technique was based upon the
transcription of these audio and video documents. This, the resulting written
analysis by Yvonne Hardt and Vera Sander, closely follows the question catalog
presented by Tanzplan Deutschland.
Jennifer Muller’s short stay (due to commitments in New York) presented
a challenge; participants could only begin to experience and realize changes
in movement and body quality that are central to Muller’s work in such a
short time. While the students’ movement execution did noticeably change
over the course of the week, Muller— as seen on the DVDs—only saw a hint
of those qualities she strives for. At the beginning of the workshop, some
students were a bit reserved toward Muller’s approach to energy. Thus, overcoming
student barriers and helping students be open to all movements, energies,
and shapes was an added goal. The process was supported by Muller’s
motivating teaching style, as well as by discussions and questions that helped
guide students’ reflection on her technique.