lab residency

The Residency with
Jody Sperling/Time Lapse Dance

Marlboro College and Vermont Performance Lab collaborated for the first time to bring New York City choreographer and dance scholar Jody Sperling and her contemporary dance company, Jody Sperling/Time Lapse Dance, to the Marlboro College campus for a 10-day artist residency, September 1-10, 2006.

Ms. Sperling is known for her contemporary choreography that gives a postmodern twist to vintage dance genres; from the dazzling fin de siècle spectacles of modern dance pioneer Loie Fuller, to circus and music hall entertainments. Working closely with lighting designer David Ferri, Time Lapse Dance used the residency to develop a dazzling spectacle of dance and light inspired by the style of Loie Fuller. Members of the College community and beyond were able to get a peek at Time Lapse Dance's creative process through observing open rehearsals, working as technical and choreographic assistants, participating in workshops and attending a showing that included the works in progress and finished works created and performed by the Company.

Visit Sperling's Lab Artist page.

Lighting Design for Dance Workshop with David Ferri and Jody Sperling
Wednesday, September 6th @7PM
Dance Studio, Serkin Center for Performing Arts, Marlboro College
Jody Sperling, Artistic Director of Jody Sperling/Time Lapse Dance and lighting designer, David Ferri discussed their collaborative process and shared their insights into the issues and challenges of lighting dance. They illustrated their work by sharing some examples of recent designs of Time Lapse Dance works. In this informal setting the particpants had the chance to ask questions and try out lighting design ideas with two experts. Admission to the workshop was free.

Materializing the Ephemeral: The Art of Loie Fuller
a slide-lecture by Jody Sperling
Thursday, September 7th @ 7:30PM
Brattleboro Museum & Art Center
Jody Sperling gave a talk on the life and work by early modern dancer Loie Fuller.

Early modern dancer Loie Fuller created a unique art form by crafting mesmerizing, multi-media spectacles out of fabric, motion, color and light. Jody Sperling offered a slide show of stunning images of Fuller while discussing issues the work provoked in its use of technology.  The event was co-presented by Vermont Performance Lab and the Brattleboro Museum and Arts Center
Admission to the lecture was free with Museum admission.

Hula-Hooping Workshop with Jody Sperling
Friday, September 8th @6:30PM
Persons Auditorium, Marlboro College
This was a fun hour-long class that was open to anyone of any age or level of movement experience. Hooping helps develop fluidity of motion—it also helps motivate and tone the core muscles and The workshop was free and open to the community.

Tea Dance with Jody Sperling/Time Lapse Dance
Sunday, September 10th @ 3pm
Dance Studio, Serkin Center for Performing Arts,
Marlboro College
The 10-day residency culminated with a “Tea Dance” where the company shared finished and unfinished works which included Roman Sketches (work-in-progress), La Nuit (2003) and An Arm and A Leg (2005). Following the performance audience members lingered and enjoyed a cup tea. The performance was free and open to the public.

photos: Adam Keller and Sarah Lavigne