PERIDANCE FACULTY
Guest / Past
BAIRA | MVMNT PHILOSPHY
Contemporary Improvisation
BIOGRAPHY
BAIRA | MVMNT PHLOSPHY is a Detroit based physical dance-theatre company. Born circa 2014, out of the collected and ongoing research of collaborative duo Shaina and Bryan Baira. The company’s choreographic work is known for their rigorous and athletic movement vocabulary, highly calculated partnering technique and a deeply personal theatricality. BAIRA productions revolve thematically around relationships and life, seeking to inspire consideration for the potential of our human experience. Shaina and Bryan began working together in 2014 when their first collaboration, "Bench Duet", was selected as the DanceNOW at Joe's Pub "Audience Choice Award" Challenge Winner. From 2015-16 they were East Village Dance Project (NYC) Company in Residence and received the Laban Institute of Movement Studies - Atelier Award.
From 2016-18 Shaina and Bryan were chosen to participate in Pentacle's 2-year research and artist capacity-building program, "Administrative Resource Team (A.R.T.). In 2017 they were awarded a creative space grant by The Alliance of Resident Theatres/New York and were Lower Manhattan Cultural Council Workspace Program Recipients for the 2017- 18 season.
In Summer 2018, Shaina and Bryan were invited as the inaugural Dance Artists in Residence at The Wassaic Project as well as invited to Participate in The Watershed Laboratory 2018 at Mt. Tremper Arts. Shaina and Bryan relocated to Detroit in July 2018 and in collaboration with Wayne State University, have launched 'BAIRA Intensive Detroit' - Summer and Winter International Training Intensives for professional/pre-professional dancers. Since their relocation, BAIRA's choreographic work has been presented at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, The Bonstelle Theatre, Andy Arts Center, Light Box Theater and the Allesee Studio Theatre. As of March 2019, BAIRA has officially joined forces with the Maggie Allesee Department of Theatre and Dance as Resident Company of Wayne State University, and is fiscally sponsored by the Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts in Detroit.
CLASS DESCRIPTION
This class will focus on the cycle of connecting, disconnecting and reconnecting, allowing us to move through our bodies and our lives with greater flexibility and strength. Using improvisation, floorwork, contemporary partnering and different physical tools/games, we will challenge our creative movement instincts; refining our reflexes and becoming more confident in our moving bodies. We will explore trust, vulnerability and responsibility with the energy/weight we give and receive.