Blanch Evan: Enigma Project / An Interview

 

 I

Unit: Blanche Evan

Theme:  Enigma Project / An Interview

Introduction

Blanche Evan believed in the use of dance as a creative way to transform the individual. There is so much to learn from this pioneer of Dance/Movement Therapy. In this interview she shares her methodology through important advice about how to lead a therapy session using dance.

II 

Learning Objective

 

• Understand the learning history of Evan from her beginnings as a dancer to the moment she became a therapist
• Explain the focus of a dance/movement therapist and the use of functional technique
• Gain an awareness of the neurosis suffered by urban dwellers 
• Experience the design of a dance/movement therapy session using Evan's ideas
  

 

III

 Mindfulness Research

 Mindful Walking practice will be played the weeks of Feb 26 and March 25

  Check file on email.

Mindful Walking

You will engage in a mindful walking practice. Like focused attention practices, you will be instructed to notice when your mind wanders to internal distractions, like your thoughts, or to external distractions, like a tree, and when this happens, you will be instructed to redirect your attention right back to your feet as they make contact with the earth. If at any time you feel uncomfortable or agitated, know that you can always choose to stop the practice.

 

Post-practice

Now that the practice has finished, I'd like to hear from two students. Please share in 1-2 words what you observed as you engaged in the practice. When students respond, please say, “thank you for your response.” Only respond further if you feel it is necessary (e.g., a student expresses distress).

 

Check In 

 

IV

 Main Lesson

 

 ENIGMA PROJECT

 Reading Together

 An Interview with Blanche Evan

 

V

A Note to Remember

  Blanche Evan, a dancer and choreographer, was a pioneer in the development of dance therapy. Her psycho-physical method refers to an experience that occurs concurrently on psychological and physical levels and describes the complex impact that the body has on the psyche, and that the psyche has on the body.

 

VI

Case Study

 

  Students and Faculty discuss the MA in Dance Movement Therapy and Counseling at Antioch New England. Dance/Movement Therapy integrates the mind, body, and spirit through verbal and non-verbal treatment approaches to wellness. The program is approved by the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA).

 

VII

Activity 1

 Students gather in groups. There will be a total of 6 groups. Each group will address 2 of the questions listed below by presenting on their answers.

STUDENT'S WORK

1. Students answer all their group questions

2. Create a Bibliography on Evan's work (links, books, videos)

3. Present their answers

4. Answer new questions to the rest of the class

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VIII

 Questions

 

GROUP 1

(Julia W., Harper B., Kate A., Natalie P.)

Page 6

1. When trying to establish a lineage in Evan's dance training, who was the teacher that influenced her most in the use of dance as therapy?

 Page 8

2. Tracking Evan's experience in dance as therapy, what was her first time working with a special population?

GROUP 2 

[Andrew K., Madison F., Harper G., Lana N.)

 Page 9

3. When was Evan's turning point from creative dance to dance therapy? Explain.

Page 10

4. According to Evan what should be the focus of the therapist?

GROUP 3

[Sophia D., Aly G., Margo F., Cirrafina  B., Anna G.]

Page 11

5. What did Evan do when the client never danced before?

6. According to Evan what is Functional Technique?

GROUP 4 

[Annia, Sue, Roshean, Blake J.]

Page 12

7. According to Evan, what is the role of intuition in therapy?

Pages 12-13

8. How does Evan describe the "urban neurotic" from NY and elsewhere?

 GROUP 5

[Kayla C., Niya W., Camryn M., Leyla E.]

Page 13

9. Which are Evan's recommendations for those interested in becoming a dance therapist?

Page 14 - 15

10. Why was Evan so in favor of using words in her dance therapy?

GROUP 6 

[ Minze L., Kaiying P., Avery N., Josie S., Anita R.]

Page 15 - 16

11. How did Evan summarize her objectives in dance therapy with her clients?

GROUP 7 

[Wysh A., Katherine B., Topher G., Tana T.]

Pages 16 - 17

12. What is your reflection on Evan's poetic description of a neurotic person? Illustrate your answer with examples from the interview.

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ACTIVITY 2

5. Each group develops a dance/movement self-therapy session based on/inspired-by the ideas expressed by Evan during her interview.

 

 IX

Journaling

 

X

Glossary

 

XI

Sources

 

XII

 Students' Work