Crystal Pite on her ballet Flight Pattern (The Royal Ballet)

Summary

The video script revolves around the creative process behind a dance piece titled 'Flight Pattern,' inspired by the humanitarian crisis and the plight of refugees. The choreographer uses Gretzky's Symphony No. 3 to convey the dual meaning of 'flight' as both escape and hope. With a cast of 36 dancers, the work explores the tension between individual and collective experiences, pushing boundaries and embracing vulnerability. The choreographer emphasizes the importance of collaboration and the power of art to open channels towards the humane, aiming to speak clearly and truthfully about deeply cared issues through dance.

Takeaways

• 🎶 The artist chose the first movement of Gretzky's Symphony number three as it resonated with the current humanitarian crisis and the plight of refugees.
• 🌐 The title 'Flight Pattern' was selected for its dual meaning of fleeing and the hope and freedom associated with flight.
• 💃 The choreography involves a large cast of 36 dancers, each bringing integrity and pushing their limits.
• 🤸‍♀️ The process of choreography is exploratory, with dancers discovering new movements and challenging their physical boundaries.
• 🤔 The artist grapples with the balance between individual performers and the collective entity, highlighting the tension and intimacy within a large group.
• 🎭 The choreographer values the collaborative aspect of theatre, emphasizing the collective creation of something greater than the sum of its parts.
• 🎭 Art is viewed as a medium to open and maintain channels towards the humane, facilitating connection and conversation.
• 🤯 The choreographer feels overwhelmed by the subject matter but believes that dance is the medium through which they can express their deepest concerns.
• 🤝 The artist is hands-on, involved in every aspect of the production, learning and growing through the process.
• 🧭 Despite moments of feeling lost and panicked, the choreographer trusts in their ability to navigate the creative process and produce meaningful work.

Q & A

What is the significance of the music choice in the creation described in the transcript?

The music choice, the first movement of Gretzky's Symphony number three, was significant because it resonated with the creator's emotional response to the humanitarian crisis and the plight of refugees, which they felt was the story of our time.

What is the title of the work being discussed in the transcript?

The title of the work is 'Flight Pattern,' which was chosen for its double meaning of fleeing or escaping from an impossible situation.

How does the creator describe the process of working with a large cast of 36 dancers?

The creator describes the process as one of discovery, where the dancers are finding new corners in the choreography and pushing beyond their limits.

What is the tension the creator finds interesting in an ensemble piece?

The creator finds the tension between the individual performers and the collective 'beast' of the ensemble interesting, highlighting the balance between individual needs and the needs of the group.

How does the creator describe their experience working with a large group?

Despite the large size of the group, the creator is amazed by how intimate the experience can still be, noting the entity's own energy, pace, and timing.

Why does the creator sometimes feel like they are 'faking it' during the creative process?

The creator feels like they are 'faking it' because, at times, they are lost, panicked, and overwhelmed, yet they continue to push forward and trust in their ability to create.

What role does vulnerability play in the creator's process?

Vulnerability is a key aspect of the creator's process, as it is the uncomfortable part of being someone who creates things and is destabilized by the unknown.

Why is the creator very hands-on with every aspect of the work?

The creator is very hands-on because they learn something from being involved in every aspect of the work, which contributes to their overall understanding and control of the creative process.

How does the creator view the collaborative aspect of working in the theatre?

The creator views the collaborative aspect of working in the theatre as a way to build something together that is bigger than all of them, which they find to be one of their favorite parts.

What is the creator's perspective on the role of art in society?

The creator believes that art is meant to open and keep channels open towards the humane, serving as a place to connect and have conversations.

How does the creator feel about the political nature of their work?

The creator does not think the political nature of their work matters; instead, it is their way of coping and expressing their feelings about the overwhelming subject matter.

What gives the creator hope in speaking clearly and truthfully about something they deeply care about?

The creator finds hope in speaking clearly and truthfully about something they deeply care about through dance, as it is the medium through which they can best express themselves.