The Rehearsal Process

Photo by Ceth Williams

The COVID-19 Pandemic directly affected the rehearsal and development process of Peace, Love, and Dance. In Ball State University’s Korsgaard Dance Studio, masked dancers set up their computers and danced in 6 ft by 6 ft grids to maintain social distancing while choreographer, Indya Childs, taught over Zoom. This rehearsal structure enforced a greater attention to detail for the dancers and choreographer. Because of social distancing restrictions, dancers were unable to physically interact. Creating duets and small group sections without touch forced Childs and the dancers to find new ways of creating believable relationships between dancers on stage. 

The Zoom-scape presented new challenges for translating choreography across the screen. Every finite detail of the movement had to be broken down and communicated in articulate terms to translate the intent of the movement and the desired aesthetic from the choreographer to the dancers. Formations—where dancers stand on stage— and the transitions between them were all devised through the small screen. The lighting and other technical elements for the piece were designed over Zoom as well. This production, and others like it that have been created during the COVID-19 Pandemic, are a testament to the ingenuity and creativity of the artists involved. 

Childs was able to direct the filming process in person. She arrived at Ball State University for the last week of rehearsals. Peace, Love, and Dance was filmed in the Korsgaard Dance Studio over five days by Joshua Cleveland and Rachel Replogle. The filming process was documented by Joshua Cleveland, Rachel Replogle, and Ceth Williams.