THE PROCESS IS THE PRINCIPLE FOCUS FOR
CORE Dance’s Sue Schroeder Photo by Paige McFall
By Holley Calmes IF... a memoir Performance at B Complex Core Dance by Felipe Barral & IGNI Productions
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“Seeking the inherent motivation and intention within human movement, our work is truly a creative journey,”
graduate of both University of Houston and University of Arizona, Schroeder began CORE Dance in Houston and expanded to Atlanta in 1985 when a friend offered a studio in Decatur. CORE has operated in both cities ever since, with Schroeder a welcoming beacon for dancers and artists wanting to dig deeper, exploring movement in all its possibilities. CORE evolved into a force for creative movement with programs that include and yet go beyond classes and performances. Film, movement research, outreach and conversations which include input from the public are included. As Schroeder explains, “Innovation in dance arises from constantly investigating and experimenting with what’s possible with human bodies in motion.” “We may spend months investigating how to wordlessly express a single human impulse; we are always seeking ways to stimulate movement possibilities beyond one’s comfort zone.” This search utilizes programs for dancers such as DIG, a summer intensive for professionals. “DIG allows art-makers from around the world to tune their creative voice and gain tools in technique, methodologies for movement invention, composition and performance studies,” says Schroeder. “CoreoLab” is a resource for individual artists to take creative risks and support innovative ideas that redefine artistic
says CORE Dance Artistic Director Sue Schroeder as the innovative, multi-dimensional contemporary dance organization celebrates its 40th season. boundaries. “Movement is researched and explored without the expectation of producing work for performance or stage.” “Our work is process based,” says Schroeder. “The end product is not the principal focus.” In Atlanta, 40 years of devotion to dance have resulted in an array of other performances here and abroad, plus additional programs for dancers and the public. The current world health situation might disrupt scheduling for the near future. (Check www.coredance.org for details.) Dance classes in multiple disciplines are scheduled weekly. Artists of all types share ideas through the program “Fieldwork,” and the public is invited to share in “Lunchtime at the Studio.” “Salon” incubates creative ideas, and youth are reached through “Dynamic X-Change” and “Teens Activate.” Input from the public is welcomed in several of these programs, allowing the average citizen in Atlanta to take part in CORE’S mission. “Art activates empathy,” says Schroeder. “We are catalysts for re-envisioning the future. And truly, NOW, we must recreate ourselves in every aspect of society. We all embody a creative spirit. Artists can facilitate the awakening of this spirit in others as we re-imagine what comes next.”
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