Deborah Black is a multi-disciplined embodied teacher and artist. From 2013-2016 she was based in Europe teaching The Viewpoints at the Fontys Hogeschool voor de Kunsten in Tilburg (NL) as well as workshops in Holland, France, Germany, Belgium, and the UK. While previously living in NYC for nearly 15 years and working with Deborah Hay, Siobhán Cronin, Joe Williams, and the SITI Company, she began her current research of collective and individual daily practices, conflict management, the space between dance and theatre, and ecology.

Recent writing and practices can be found here and here, respectively, on the Somatics Toolkit website.

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past workshops

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SPACE AS STORY
What story does a space or place tell? What story could it tell? How do space, the body and language work together to become a story, whether narrative or abstract?

In this four-hour workshop, we will challenge and expand our knowledge of the materials of space and story for performance-making. The afternoon will be based in the Six Viewpoints theory and practice. 

Originated by dancer/choreographer, Mary Overlie, the Viewpoints deconstruct the materials used in performance: space, time, shape, emotion, story, and movement, opening up their infinite possibilities. The study of the Viewpoints introduces performance makers to a clear vocabulary of materials to spark research or new perspective on their own work.

The afternoon will include a brief introduction to the theoretical framework of the Viewpoints and exercises to localise the materials of space and story. Then we will put space and story in communication with one another through improvisation and experimentation to find greater and greater storytelling possibilities. 

This workshop is for performers, directors and choreographers, but dramaturgs, designers and artists of all disciplines are also welcome.

No prior movement experience is necessary.

Sat, 25 May 2019
14:00 – 18:00 BST

Research Studio
Chisenhale Dance Space 
64-84 Chisenhale Road 
London 
E3 5QZ 

Tickets here.

If you have any questions, please get in touch on viewpoints.uk@gmail.com

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Introduction to the Viewpoints 
with Deborah Black and Ria Samartzi

Sun, 3 March 2019
13:00 – 16:00 GMT

Theatre Deli - Deli Studios
2 Finsbury Avenue
London

Registration

This three hour session, will include a brief introduction to the theoretical framework of the Viewpoints as well as taking a closer look at the materials through improvisation and experimentation.

This workshop is for performers, directors and choreographers, but dramaturgs and designers of all disciplines are also welcome.

No prior movement experience is necessary.

If you have any questions, please get in touch on viewpoints.uk@gmail.com

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Virtual Viewpoints - 12-week on-line course** with Deborah Black

Sundays from 12pm - 2pm EST, January 20th - April 7th, 2019.
**Registration Closed - Next cohort will begin in Fall 2019 - please join the mailing list for updates

The Viewpoints is a technique of improvisation that grew out of the postmodern dance world. It was originated by dancer/choreographer, Mary Overlie who deconstructed the materials used in performance: space, time, shape, emotion, story, and movement, opening up their infinite possibilities. The student can expect to receive a clear vocabulary of materials to spark research or new perspective on their own work.

Course content

— Weekly 2-hour class

— Definition of Postmodernism in relationship to Classicism and Modernism

— Embodiment of the horizontal nature of Postmodernism through the study of Shape, Space, Time, Emotion, Movement, and Story through improvisations.

— Methods for incorporating the Viewpoints into an existing performance, creation, healing, or teaching practice

— Lectures and reading materials to support understanding of the theory and philosophy of postmodernism

— Homework assignments for deepening the relationship to the materials

— An on-line group forum for questions, discussion, and additional resources

— Special guest lectures on poetry and future studies

$400 (scholarships and discounts for students available)
$375 early bird until December 15, 2018

> > > REGISTER HERE

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Open Viewpoints/movement classes

Lake Studios, Berlin
9 and 16 November
9:30-11h
5 Euros/class

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Berlin 6 October 2018
13h - 17h
The Inevitability of Influence: An embodied dialogue on power and control

An experiment in toppling and examining hierarchies in embodied spaces using the Postmodern practice and theory of the Six Viewpoints as articulated by the choreographer and dancer, Mary Overlie. In our increasingly isolated existences, we will examine hyper-individualism in contrast to group-think to uncover assumptions and discover possible new approaches to being together. We will move, play, and write poetry during this four hour workshop at Lake Studios in Berlin. 

Please email viewpoints.us@gmail.com if you'd like to register
15€ beforehand 20€ in-person
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Deborah is also available for 1:1 professional development sessions

"When the student is ready the teacher appears.”
Deborah is calm and real. And she was like a gift from the divine to me. 
While working with Deborah, I unearthed my everlasting flame. I literally have a fire again towards the endless possibilities of what my work can be and what I can do. I used to keep pushing my goals back because I didn't think that I was ready. Now, I'm on the path to not only meeting but surpassing my goals! 

—Trinity Dawn Bobo, artist and healer

Contact her at viewpoints.us@gmail.com for more information.

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photo by Anna Maynard