In my last post, I wrote about "Why Everyone Needs A Little Butoh in Their Life".  And while butoh practice is definitely something I think everyone should try once, it can also be very fun and therapeutic to simply see butoh in performance (so long as you go with an open mind).  Butoh comes in a lot of different shapes and sizes, but what holds it all together is its function as an extremely unique and personal expression on the part of the performer.  So expand your horizons this fall and see if you can catch some of this crazy dance-form/philosophy in action.  

Here are 6 Great Places to See Butoh in Fall 2015 in New York City.

by Ariel Lauryn

(No, you haven't missed Parts I and III--Those will come in time.)

The Preamble
This is all you need to know right now: 
Our artistic director proposed an idea: Theatre for One. A theatre piece made for one person. He wanted to explore this concept, and do a mini version as a trial run, at a two day company retreat. I was totally on board, and eager to get started, with plenty of ideas fueling my desire.

The Action
We did some individual prep work before the retreat.  Moments before our first meeting, I realized I had been interpreting the idea of Theatre for One somewhat differently that what had actually been proposed. I thought it was supposed to be a piece made for one specific person, but performed for many.  In actuality, it was to be a piece made for one person and performed for one person.

"Ummm..." The instant this other interpretation clicked in my head, I could feel the bratty 8th grader skeptic rise up in me, furrow my brow, slant my hips, and brace my whole body into the, "Are you serious?" stance.  I won't bore you with her rant (Not in this article, anyway).  Suffice it to say, I was resistant.  To the point that, despite my effort to be diplomatic and adult about my thoughts and intuitions, I could tell that, I was coming off as...a little childish?   When compromises were offered, I turned them all down.  As if to say, "No, it's fine.  I mean, I'll do it or whatever, but just know that I knew before we started that this was a bad idea."  Later, I recognized I was in that state where I want this to be a problem and I don't want anyone to fix it.  I'm sure I didn't come off quite as childish as this (at least, I hope not...) but it is how I felt that night after the meeting.  To the point that I couldn't sleep.