Contact Improvisation Workshop with Lewis Wilkins

In this workshop we will delve into the practice of contact improvisation in duets, trios, and larger groups. We will observe and initiate attentional shifts between the internal environment of the body and the space around us. This tuning in will serve to enrich our physical communication and processing of sensations; resulting in a clearer understanding of the intention, direction, and energy of the other bodies we begin to encounter through contact. Once we have taken some time to warm up to each other, the invitation will arise to engage with a series of clearly guided improvisation tasks that present opportunities for weight sharing and supporting each other away from the ground. Skills and useful patterns for safe rolling, falling, and flying will be taught in detail to suit all ability levels. There will be lots of dancing! Please wear unrestrictive clothing (with minimal zips and buttons) that covers the torso and limbs.

Lewis is a British dance artist based in Brighton. He trained at London Contemporary Dance School and his performance credits include; The National Theatre production of Angels in America, Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake, Scottish Dance Theatre, Tom Dale Company, Lea Tirabasso, TrashDollys, and Richard Alston Dance Company. Lewis specialises in Contact Improvisation and teaches for dance companies, schools, and festivals around the world. In 2018 he completed a level 5 diploma in Soft Tissue Therapy, and enjoys balancing his time between working as a performer, teacher, and manual therapist.

This workshop is presented by Galway Dance Project.