It was one of those days that turned out to be filled with serendipity. The phone rang and I talked to Marlita for the first time. We shared much in common: a love of Jesus, a love of dance, and a love for the craft of choreography. It was a wonderful connection that flooded my heart with encouragement and a desire to know more about faith-based choreography! Dancers need to be learners just like the disciples were.
LEARN
manthano NT:3129 denotes (a) “to learn” (akin to mathetes, “a disciple”), “to increase one’s knowledge,” or “be increased in knowledge,” frequently “to learn by inquiry, or observation,” e. g., Matt 9:13; 11:29; 24:32; Mark 13:28; John 7:15; Rom 16:17; 1 Cor 4:6; 14:35; Phil 4:9; 2 Tim 3:14; Rev 14:3(from Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright (c)1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers)
Biblical learning stays accessible to an array of styles and viewpoints while holding fast to foundational, scriptural truths. With an educational base in mind, let’s be open to what others can teach us and let’s pray that we increase in knowledge as we share what we have personally learned on the journey of choreography for Jesus. The end result is a visual worship feast that moves hearts to know the God of the universe.
Let’s start by checking out Marlita’s website: choreoclinic.com
While you’re there, look for video clips from wonderful choreographers that can inspire all of us. I also enjoyed an assortment of topics that stimulated my imagination: inspiration, beginnings, middles, community, movement, development, D-collaboration, spatial design and solos.
Now look for an explanation about Marlita’s website target: “The Choreography Clinic shares the experiences of dance makers (from aspiring to established), students, and educators. My hope for this project is to develop a referential tool that houses open and nurturing dialogue on areas of commonality in dance making and the creative ways we address the issues that arise. This exchange will specifically look at the anatomy of works we have created, and how we, as dance makers, have interacted with and viewed (and even now view) the various parts of our dance work. The goal of this project is not to pin individuals into a singular process, methodology, or philosophy, rather, it is to reflect on and share the various processes we use, as well as our experiences, successes, failures, insights, regrets, and discoveries along our individual choreographic journeys.”
And there’s more. Marlita has a newly released book that you can get. I’ve read it and it inspires me. I’d encourage you to buy it. The title of the book is ‘Dancers! Assume the Position.’If I were you, I’d also check out Marlita’s facebook page: http://facebook.com/dancersministry
Thanks Marlita! What a special sister you are. We love you for your faith and all you have done to help us grow. And remember that Jesus was the master educator. If we follow His lead, we’ll be open to do the same thing with each other!
