Motion State Arts brought choreography for the camera back to Keene State College with the annual return of its ScreenDance RoadShow film series on Thursday, March 27.
Held in the Redfern Arts Center’s Main Theatre, the event featured six short dance films from around the world that each highlighted different aspects of dance in film. The show’s artistic directors, Ali Kenner Brodsky and Andy Russ, were in attendance to present the films and host a Q&A session with the audience after the show.
The event was hosted by Motion State Arts, which Brodsky described as a nonprofit arts organization based in Providence, R.I. The ScreenDance RoadShow is one of its main programs where it takes a program of dance films on tour each year, said Brodsky.
“We’re centered around hosting community dance classes, so we’ll bring in teachers for the community,” Brodsky said. “We’re aimed at building the dance community in Providence.”
All of the films they take on tour are submitted for consideration by local, national and international artists, said Brodsky. When it comes to selecting which films to include in the show, Brodsky said, “We typically choose films that speak to us in some way, and then as we’re putting together the season, we’re looking at how the films speak to each other and how they might give the audience a broader perspective of what dance film is.”
Brodsky spoke about why she felt it was important to highlight choreography in film, saying, “It’s another medium for dance artists to explore. What’s interesting about dance film is the camera becomes a part of the dance, as the editing is also considered part of the choreography. It’s an opportunity for artists to give the audience a little bit more direction on how to see their dance.”
This is the fifth year that Motion State Arts has brought its ScreenDance RoadShow to Keene State, and both Brodsky and Russ said part of the decision to keep returning is because of the students.
“The students have been so receptive to us,” said Brodsky. “It’s just been really nice to come back and build that community with the students.”
“We do go to a number of different places and I’ve just noticed, especially today in the workshop, the students are totally courageous about doing whatever we ask them to do,” Russ added. “Or even when we don’t say anything, they’re very forward with their own ideas and that’s a great experience to be part of.”
Brodsky said she hoped the audience would take a sense of curiosity about dance away from the show.
“Dance film is a nice way for people who aren’t as familiar with dance to seek live dance out, maybe go and try making a film of their own,” Brodsky said.
“I think people often will have a very specific, narrow definition of dance in their mind,” Russ added. “This is a way, because we can show multiple films back to back to back, to expose people to a broader definition of what dance can be.”
First-year student Grace Carey said she is a dancer herself and she heard about the event from her ballet teacher.
“She said it was a great opportunity to go to, so I did, and I’m here with my dance friends, so why not?” Carey said.
Carey said she didn’t think she would enjoy the event but she was pleasantly surprised by it.
“It was just nice to watch dance with a meaning. You don’t really get to do that a lot, so it was fun,” Carey said.
Justin Dearborn can be reached at
