Class Description:The Underscore is a dance improvisation structure developed by Nancy Stark Smith in 1990 and practiced worldwide today. By mapping  a spectrum of states, from quiet, internal activity to high-energy, interactive dancing, the score becomes a vehicle for incorporating contact improvisation into a broader arena of improvisational dance practice; for developing ease dancing in spherical space- alone and with others; and for integrating kinesthetic and compositional concerns while improvising. Each Underscore is unique, comprising an endless landscape of individual and collective human experiences. The process continues to evolve through a growing community and conversation among practitioners. 
A Talk-Through will begin at 6:45 to introduce Underscore's 50+ glyphs and concepts and is highly recommended for first time participants. 
A Harvest will be celebrated from 9:15-9:45 with food. All participants are strongly encouraged to stay for the entire Underscore. 
 

Bio: Ilona Bito is a dance artist and educator living in NYC. She has performed with Kathy Westwater, The Commons Choir/Daria Fain, Adi Eytan, Dawn Kintsle, The A.O.M.C./Sarah Rosner, Sinecdoche Dance/ Belinda He, and B.Q. / Carla Barragan, as well as in her own work and as a co-organizer of Occupy Dance. She teaches creative movement, improvisation, modern, ballet, and tap to children at Abrons Arts Center, WMAAC, BKSD, and with Movement Research’s Dancemakers in the Schools.  She holds a B.A. and MS. Ed. from Sarah Lawrence College. Her solo and group choreography investigates improvisation, play, and the creative collaboration between teaching and learning.