Welcome to our 12th episode of Points of Contact, the podcast where we explore the dance from of Contact Improvisation and so much more with Carolyn Stuart. In this concluding episode of Season 1, we reflect on the insights and experiences shared throughout the series. We also look to beginnings, as I start my journey into parenthood and grad school. Carolyn is starting to feeling into what a season two may look like.
Leave us a comment. We are curious about what you enjoyed or found relevant in this episode. We'd like to know your thoughts about season two. We welcome feedback, reflections, constructive criticism. You are welcome to leave a voice memo or written comment, your choice.
A devotee of Contact Improvisation since 1984, Carolyn’s research and development of the dance form spans 17 countries, hundreds of projects, and diverse populations. Her primary teachers have been commitment to the process of exploration and the use of the blindfold. Her mission is to make contact improvising accessible by distilling the vastness of possibility into the simplest of terms. The current edge of her investigation is applying the principles of the C.I. paradigm to life at large. If mutual well-being is possible on the dance floor, then what about off the dance floor too—for the generations to come! Writings by Carolyn Stuart can be found at: www.contactgames.wordpress.com
Your host, Eric Nordstrom is a dance performer, filmmaker, and teacher living in Portland, Oregon. He teaches in the Dance Program at Lewis and Clark College and has taught at contact festival Freiburg in Germany, the Seattle Festival of Dance Improvisation, and Conduit Dance. He has performed with Karen Nelson, Keith V. Goodman, and was a core company member of Oslund + Company. To help preserve Portland dance history, Eric created a documentary film Moving History: Portland Contemporary Dance Past and Present. To centralize and preserve dance history source material, Eric has partnered with Portland State University to create the Portland Dance Archives. He studied with filmmaker Mitchell Rose and choreographer Bebe Miller at The Ohio State University, where he earned his MFA in Dance. For more information about Eric Nordstrom: www.eric-nordstrom.com
Photo by Gregory Bartning
Welcome to our 11th episode of Points of Contact, the podcast where we delve into Contact Improvisation with Carolyn Stuart. Each month she shares her experiences, philosophy, and shadings of this unique dance form. This episode focuses on language in Contact Improvisation.
Leave us a comment. We are curious about what you enjoyed or found relevant in this episode. We welcome feedback, reflections, constructive criticism. You are welcome to leave a voice memo or written comment, your choice.
A devotee of Contact Improvisation since 1984, Carolyn’s research and development of the dance form spans 17 countries, hundreds of projects, and diverse populations. Her primary teachers have been commitment to the process of exploration and the use of the blindfold. Her mission is to make contact improvising accessible by distilling the vastness of possibility into the simplest of terms. The current edge of her investigation is applying the principles of the C.I. paradigm to life at large. If mutual well-being is possible on the dance floor, then what about off the dance floor too—for the generations to come! Writings by Carolyn Stuart can be found at: www.contactgames.wordpress.com
Your host, Eric Nordstrom is a dance performer, filmmaker, and teacher living in Portland, Oregon. He teaches in the Dance Program at Lewis and Clark College and has taught at contact festival Freiburg in Germany, the Seattle Festival of Dance Improvisation, and Conduit Dance. He has performed with Karen Nelson, Keith V. Goodman, and was a core company member of Oslund + Company. To help preserve Portland dance history, Eric created a documentary film Moving History: Portland Contemporary Dance Past and Present. To centralize and preserve dance history source material, Eric has partnered with Portland State University to create the Portland Dance Archives. He studied with filmmaker Mitchell Rose and choreographer Bebe Miller at The Ohio State University, where he earned his MFA in Dance. For more information about Eric Nordstrom: www.eric-nordstrom.com
Photo by Gregory Bartning
Welcome to our tenth episode of Points of Contact, the podcast where we delve into Contact Improvisation with Carolyn Stuart. Each month she shares her experiences, philosophy, and teachings on this unique dance form. This episode focuses on co-creation in Contact Improvisation.
Leave us a comment. We are curious about what you enjoyed or found relevant in this episode. We welcome feedback, reflections, constructive criticism. You are welcome to leave a voice memo or written comment, your choice.
A devotee of Contact Improvisation since 1984, Carolyn’s research and development of the dance form spans 17 countries, hundreds of projects, and diverse populations. Her primary teachers have been commitment to the process of exploration and the use of the blindfold. Her mission is to make contact improvising accessible by distilling the vastness of possibility into the simplest of terms. The current edge of her investigation is applying the principles of the C.I. paradigm to life at large. If mutual well-being is possible on the dance floor, then what about off the dance floor too—for the generations to come! Writings by Carolyn Stuart can be found at: www.contactgames.wordpress.com
Your host, Eric Nordstrom is a dance performer, filmmaker, and teacher living in Portland, Oregon. He teaches in the Dance Program at Lewis and Clark College and has taught at contact festival Freiburg in Germany, the Seattle Festival of Dance Improvisation, and Conduit Dance. He has performed with Karen Nelson, Keith V. Goodman, and was a core company member of Oslund + Company. To help preserve Portland dance history, Eric created a documentary film Moving History: Portland Contemporary Dance Past and Present. To centralize and preserve dance history source material, Eric has partnered with Portland State University to create the Portland Dance Archives. He studied with filmmaker Mitchell Rose and choreographer Bebe Miller at The Ohio State University, where he earned his MFA in Dance. For more information about Eric Nordstrom: www.eric-nordstrom.com
Photo by Gregory Bartning
Welcome to our ninth episode of Points of Contact, the podcast where we delve into Contact Improvisation with Carolyn Stuart. Each month she shares her experiences, philosophy, and teachings on this unique dance form. This episode focuses on trust in Contact Improvisation.
Leave us a comment. We are curious about what you enjoyed or found relevant in this episode. We welcome feedback, reflections, constructive criticism. You are welcome to leave a voice memo or written comment, your choice.
A devotee of Contact Improvisation since 1984, Carolyn’s research and development of the dance form spans 17 countries, hundreds of projects, and diverse populations. Her primary teachers have been commitment to the process of exploration and the use of the blindfold. Her mission is to make contact improvising accessible by distilling the vastness of possibility into the simplest of terms. The current edge of her investigation is applying the principles of the C.I. paradigm to life at large. If mutual well-being is possible on the dance floor, then what about off the dance floor too—for the generations to come! Writings by Carolyn Stuart can be found at: www.contactgames.wordpress.com
Your host, Eric Nordstrom is a dance performer, filmmaker, and teacher living in Portland, Oregon. He teaches in the Dance Program at Lewis and Clark College and has taught at contact festival Freiburg in Germany, the Seattle Festival of Dance Improvisation, and Conduit Dance. He has performed with Karen Nelson, Keith V. Goodman, and was a core company member of Oslund + Company. To help preserve Portland dance history, Eric created a documentary film Moving History: Portland Contemporary Dance Past and Present. To centralize and preserve dance history source material, Eric has partnered with Portland State University to create the Portland Dance Archives. He studied with filmmaker Mitchell Rose and choreographer Bebe Miller at The Ohio State University, where he earned his MFA in Dance. For more information about Eric Nordstrom: www.eric-nordstrom.com
Photo by Gregory Bartning
Welcome to our eighth episode of Points of Contact, the podcast where we delve into Contact Improvisation with Carolyn Stuart. Each month she shares her experiences, philosophy, and teachings on this unique dance form. This episode focuses on habit and presence in Contact Improvisation.
Leave us a comment. We are curious about what you enjoyed or found relevant in this episode. We welcome feedback, reflections, constructive criticism. You are welcome to leave a voice memo or written comment, your choice.
A devotee of Contact Improvisation since 1984, Carolyn’s research and development of the dance form spans 17 countries, hundreds of projects, and diverse populations. Her primary teachers have been commitment to the process of exploration and the use of the blindfold. Her mission is to make contact improvising accessible by distilling the vastness of possibility into the simplest of terms. The current edge of her investigation is applying the principles of the C.I. paradigm to life at large. If mutual well-being is possible on the dance floor, then what about off the dance floor too—for the generations to come! Writings by Carolyn Stuart can be found at: www.contactgames.wordpress.com
Your host, Eric Nordstrom is a dance performer, filmmaker, and teacher living in Portland, Oregon. He teaches in the Dance Program at Lewis and Clark College and has taught at contact festival Freiburg in Germany, the Seattle Festival of Dance Improvisation, and Conduit Dance. He has performed with Karen Nelson, Keith V. Goodman, and was a core company member of Oslund + Company. To help preserve Portland dance history, Eric created a documentary film Moving History: Portland Contemporary Dance Past and Present. To centralize and preserve dance history source material, Eric has partnered with Portland State University to create the Portland Dance Archives. He studied with filmmaker Mitchell Rose and choreographer Bebe Miller at The Ohio State University, where he earned his MFA in Dance. For more information about Eric Nordstrom: www.eric-nordstrom.comPhoto by Gregory Bartning
Welcome to our seventh episode of Points of Contact, the podcast where we delve into Contact Improvisation with Carolyn Stuart. Each month she shares her experiences, philosophy, and teachings on this unique dance form. This episode focuses on come as you are in Contact Improvisation, and how this connects to how we are in relationship with ourself and others. Leave us a comment. We are curious about what you enjoyed or found relevant in this episode. We welcome feedback, reflections, constructive criticism. You are welcome to leave a voice memo or written comment, your choice. Ideas mentioned in this episode:
Simplicity
Adaptability
1) Change yourself in relation to your environment.
2) Change the environment to meet your needs.
3) Combine 1 & 2. A devotee of Contact Improvisation since 1984, Carolyn’s research and development of the dance form spans 17 countries, hundreds of projects, and diverse populations. Her primary teachers have been commitment to the process of exploration and the use of the blindfold. Her mission is to make contact improvising accessible by distilling the vastness of possibility into the simplest of terms. The current edge of her investigation is applying the principles of the C.I. paradigm to life at large. If mutual well-being is possible on the dance floor, then what about off the dance floor too—for the generations to come! Writings by Carolyn Stuart can be found at: www.contactgames.wordpress.com Your host, Eric Nordstrom is a dance performer, filmmaker, and teacher living in Portland, Oregon. He teaches in the Dance Program at Lewis and Clark College and has taught at contact festival Freiburg in Germany, the Seattle Festival of Dance Improvisation, and Conduit Dance. He has performed with Karen Nelson, Keith V. Goodman, and was a core company member of Oslund + Company. To help preserve Portland dance history, Eric created a documentary film Moving History: Portland Contemporary Dance Past and Present. To centralize and preserve dance history source material, Eric has partnered with Portland State University to create the Portland Dance Archives. He studied with filmmaker Mitchell Rose and choreographer Bebe Miller at The Ohio State University, where he earned his MFA in Dance. For more information about Eric Nordstrom: www.eric-nordstrom.com Photo by Gregory Bartning
Welcome to our second episode of Points of Contact. Each month in conversation with Carolyn Stuart, we'll dive into her experience, philosophy, and teachings of Contact Improvisation.
This episode we would like to talk about how Steve Paxton has influenced Carolyn’s practice of Contact improvisation. Known as the founder of contact improvisation Paxton, passed away February 20, 2024. As a founder of Judson Dance Theatre and later Grand Union, Paxton was instrumental in ushering in postmodern dance. While with Judson, he performed works by Yvonne Rainer and Trisha Brown, among others. Paxton began exploring what would become Contact Improvisation in 1972— through the use of the laws of physical such as friction, momentum, gravity, and inertia as a catalyst for movement. Over the following years, many times Paxton rested the call to become a leader or authority figure for contacting improvisation. Offering this voice as one of may perspectives. Leaving each person to answer what contact improvisation is for them.
Read GRAVITY by STEVE PAXTON. In this book, Paxton traces a lifetime in the company of gravity. The memory of his first flight, a meditation on walking, pondering on the conditions of life, and a dream of dancing make up pieces of a puzzle. He reveals the physical force that is affecting each of us and underpins our personal stories. Paxton muses about the limit of his consciousness and celebrates the potentiality of our senses to enter the dance.
Leave us a comment below. We are curious about what you enjoyed or found relevant in this episode. We welcome feedback, reflections, constructive criticism. You are welcome to leave a voice memo or written comment, your choice.
A devotee of Contact Improvisation since 1984, Carolyn’s research and development of the dance form spans 17 countries, hundreds of projects, and diverse populations. Her primary teachers have been commitment to the process of exploration and the use of the blindfold. Her mission is to make contact improvising accessible by distilling the vastness of possibility into the simplest of terms. The current edge of her investigation is applying the principles of the C.I. paradigm to life at large. If mutual well-being is possible on the dance floor, then what about off the dance floor too—for the generations to come! Writings by Carolyn Stuart can be found at: www.contactgames.wordpress.com
Your host, Eric Nordstrom is a dance performer, filmmaker, and teacher living in Portland, Oregon. He teaches in the Dance Program at Lewis and Clark College and has taught at contact festival Freiburg in Germany, the Seattle Festival of Dance Improvisation, and Conduit Dance. He has performed with Karen Nelson, Keith V. Goodman, and was a core company member of Oslund + Company. To help preserve Portland dance history, Eric created a documentary film Moving History: Portland Contemporary Dance Past and Present. To centralize and preserve dance history source material, Eric has partnered with Portland State University to create the Portland Dance Archives. He studied with filmmaker Mitchell Rose and choreographer Bebe Miller at The Ohio State University, where he earned his MFA in Dance. For more information about Eric Nordstrom: www.eric-nordstrom.com
Photo by Gregory Bartning
Each month we’ll dive into Carolyn’s experience, philosophy, and teachings of Contact Improvisation. This episode is about introductions—an introduction to Carolyn, her decades of dancing, and her experience weaving together research on the dance floor with life off the dance floor.
Leave us a comment. We are curious about what you enjoyed or found relevant in this episode. We welcome feedback, reflections, constructive criticism. You are welcome to leave a voice memo or written comment, your choice.
Resources mentioned in this episode: The Inner Game of Tennis by Timothy Gallwey.
A devotee of Contact Improvisation since 1984, Carolyn’s research and development of the dance form spans 17 countries, hundreds of projects, and diverse populations. Her primary teachers have been commitment to the process of exploration and the use of the blindfold. Her mission is to make contact improvising accessible by distilling the vastness of possibility into the simplest of terms. The current edge of her investigation is applying the principles of the C.I. paradigm to life at large. If mutual well-being is possible on the dance floor, then what about off the dance floor too—for the generations to come! Writings by Carolyn Stuart can be found at: www.contactgames.wordpress.com
Your host, Eric Nordstrom is a dance performer, filmmaker, and teacher living in Portland, Oregon. He teaches in the Dance Program at Lewis and Clark College and has taught at contact festival Freiburg in Germany, the Seattle Festival of Dance Improvisation, and Conduit Dance. He has performed with Karen Nelson, Keith V. Goodman, and was a core company member of Oslund + Company. To help preserve Portland dance history, Eric created a documentary film Moving History: Portland Contemporary Dance Past and Present. To centralize and preserve dance history source material, Eric has partnered with Portland State University to create the Portland Dance Archives. He studied with filmmaker Mitchell Rose and choreographer Bebe Miller at The Ohio State University, where he earned his MFA in Dance. For more information about Eric Nordstrom: www.eric-nordstrom.com
Photo by Gregory Bartning
Hello! A beginning to our beginning. Over the course of this year (2024), I’ll interview Carolyn Stuart once a month. We’ll dive into her experience, philosophy, and teachings of Contact Improvisation. Look for a new episode the last day of each month.
A devotee of Contact Improvisation since 1984, Carolyn’s research and development of the dance form spans 17 countries, hundreds of projects, and diverse populations. Her primary teachers have been commitment to the process of exploration and the use of the blindfold. Her mission is to make contact improvising accessible by distilling the vastness of possibility into the simplest of terms. The current edge of her investigation is applying the principles of the C.I. paradigm to life at large. If mutual well-being is possible on the dance floor, then what about off the dance floor too—for the generations to come!
Writings by Carolyn Stuart can be found at: www.contactgames.wordpress.com
Your host, Eric Nordstrom is a dance performer, filmmaker, and teacher living in Portland, Oregon. He teaches in the Dance Program at Lewis and Clark College and has taught at contact festival Freiburg in Germany, the Seattle Festival of Dance Improvisation, and Conduit Dance. He has performed with Karen Nelson, Keith V. Goodman, and was a core company member of Oslund + Company.
To help preserve Portland dance history, Eric created a documentary film Moving History: Portland Contemporary Dance Past and Present. To centralize and preserve dance history source material, Eric has partnered with Portland State University to create the Portland Dance Archives. He studied with filmmaker Mitchell Rose and choreographer Bebe Miller at The Ohio State University, where he earned his MFA in Dance.
For more information about Eric Nordstrom: www.eric-nordstrom.com
Photo by Gregory Bartning
