The Def Dance Jam Community TOUCH…To Feel Your Words August 15 Wadleigh Secondary School Under leadership of founder/artistic director, Aziza, launches the 20th anniversary of the "Touch Project" with a work-in-progress showing. For more information visit www.defdancejam.org ZIZA/DEF DANCE JAM COMMUNITY - OPEN REHEARSAL, WORK IN PROGRESS OF "TOUCH ... to feel your words" | |
theater, American Sign Language and mobility training workshops with the Def Dance Jam Community (a
troupe of mixed-ability-intergenerational performing artists) and invited participants from the deaf,
blind and elderly-able community culminating in series of performances inspired by stories on how the
topic of “TOUCH” Affects/Effects our lives.
The artistic goal of the project is to create a safe process where all can explore the sensibilities around
Touch in diverse communities, such as in the differently-ABLE community "how does one hear without
sound and see without sight; communities where cultural or spiritually Touch is Sacred or forbidden; or
communities where Touch or lack of fosters compassion. Workshops will be led by Aziza and Guest
Artist incorporating dance, writing, video journals, Story boards, tactile signing and sound vibrations.
The inter-generational group of participants will be chosen from a group of mixed levels, mixed mobility
and artistic backgrounds, participants with no prior artistic experience are creatively engaged in the
process with professional artist, youth with elders, deaf/blind with hearing and sight members.
The “TOUCH” project begins with a 6 week DDJ CommINunity/Artivism Summer Intensive starting July 7,
2014. Monday’s 11AM – 6PM, also an open Monday evening Community Class/Rehearsal 7-10PM,
Tuesday’s, Wednesday and Thursday’s 11 – 6PM; Work In Progress Showings August 8-10, and August
15-17, 2014. Upon completion of the Summer Intensive a few slots will be offered to participants to join
the DDJ community in completing the full year project and NY Premier of “Touch” in May 2015.
Highlights of the culminating performance will include a publication titled "TOUCH" of monologues,
poems, and short stories developed in the process. The Publication will incorporate American Sign
Language and Braille.
Rehearsal/Training/Performance Stipends provided to selected participants based on Audition,
Experience and availability for the project.
DEF DANCE JAM SUMMER COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING: JULY/AUGUST
MON. – THURS. 11-6PM at WADLEIGH SCHOOL 215 WEST 114TH STREET, NYC. DANCE STUDIO
MON. EVENINGS 7-10PM at RUTH WILLIAMS DANCE STUDIO 170 EAST 116TH STREET -2ND FLOOR
Auditions Monday July 7, 2014 from 7-10PM and Tuesday, July 8, 2014 from Noon – 6PM. You must
call to make an appointment for audition. If interested please contact Aziza, Artistic Director at
212.694.0477, or [email protected].