where we are at...also "wwaa!!"

by Shana Simmons

Let me tell you where we are currently at in the process coming from the overall Artistic Direction of Shana Simmons Dance. I feel like a tight wire has been pulled tighter within me and it (me) could snap at anytime. The stress level has increased in the past couple of weeks and we have a LOT to accomplish. I feel a certain obligation towards ensuring The Missing Peace is of a certain caliber of choreography and performance ability, the dancers are invested, the choreographers are inspired and proud, and the audience is moved beyond words. This is what I aim to provide through, not just The Missing Peace, but all SSD productions.

I want to be honest, this is no easy task. Bumps, and sometimes pot holes here in Pittsburgh, happen on our journey. Take for instance, our space got shifted this week and we currently have nowhere to rehearse. Scrounging for new rental spaces, emailing current contacts, asking those contacts if they have contacts that might be available...this is all part of our process. The difficulty of having space to practice your art, whatever it may be, but specifically dance, is always lurking in the corner. We stare at it head on, most times successfully, but what happens when your ability to practice is taken away?<--in dance, this is a CONSTANT question whether it be injury, rehearsal space, time, scheduling etc...

The Works In Progress showing was an incredible experience. Personally, the first rehearsal back was very difficult. How do you revisit something you just performed as a concrete idea? How do you take it further? This process is new to me and a privilege to be able to address it. I started with a section I knew was going to stay the same to help develop it further. We have yet to address the other sections since that rehearsal due to other unforeseen circumstances, but I have had time to think about the creation. I have a game plan walking into the last few rehearsals (pending a space to rehearse in). It is down to the time wire and we need to make these concrete ideas a living reality.