PAUL IBEY — Butoh

June 12 to 16, 2023— 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Mon.-Fri.)
Full week rate: 100$
*Drop-in class rate: 22$
Language of instruction: English
Capacity: 23 people, priority for full week attendance
Open to artists of all disciplines

REGISTER FOR THE FULL WEEK > 

*Drop-ins welcome – Payment by credit card or e-transfer on site the morning of, if capacity allows (no reservations).

By registering for a workshop, you agree to cancel your participation if you have symptoms or suspect you may have COVID-19. Please read the Participant Engagement before registering. Thank you!

CONTENT
Butoh (or dance of darkness) is one of the major developments of contemporary dance. It has revolutionized the way people view what dance is or can be. Originating in 1960s Japan, founded by Hijikata Tatsumi, it has created new forms of dance movement and expression. Its powerful images and new approach to dance have stirred the interest and imagination of a growing world audience. Butoh takes its strength from interior movement: the body twists, contracts, extends. Softness, violence, slowness, sensuality, and immobility are all part of butoh. The butoh dancer attempts to bare his inner soul to reveal the suffering and joy of life. Please bring a packet of tissues.

ACCESSIBILITY
Butoh has been used as a tool for movement therapy as it enables people to live their own naturally arising emotions as well as suppressed emotions. Each day begins with physical exercises before leading into guided improvisations following certain themes. Some improvisations will involve group work. All instructions are verbal with demonstration. The session ends with a group cool down. Physical limitations are not a barrier in this workshop. Music is used throughout. Participants are encouraged to find their own way of moving within the structure, although there are certain guidelines. The workshop can increase in more complicated work depending on the ability of the participants.

BIOGRAPHY
Paul Ibey is of French, British, and Irish background. His training in Europe includes mime and movement with Adam Darius, contemporary dance at The Place and with Ballet Rambert’s Lucy Burge, Sally Owen, Ruth Silk, Nelson Fernandez, Christopher Bruce, and Robert Cohan of London Contemporary Dance Theatre.

His ballet training has included the Royal Ballet’s Lynn Seymour, Roger Tulley, Tatiana Tchernova, Lazaro Surmeyan, Gelsey Kirkland, and Stanley Williams. He also studied and worked with the world renowned Lindsay Kemp Company. He has choreographed and produced a number of works that combine dance, theatre, and music.

His prime focus has been butoh dance, which he studied with Sankai Juku, Dai Rakuda Kan, Natsu Nakajima, Carlotta Ikeda, Manhong Kang, and butoh founders Kazuo and Yoshito Ohno.

His work has been shown in London, Paris, New York, and throughout Europe and the Middle East. He has taught classes at the Martha Graham School, Northern Ballet Theatre and in Poland, Egypt, Palestine, Albania, Croatia, and Hungary. He also recently performed with Sankai Juku dancers in Japan.