Surprise and spectacle erupt in unexpected locations as contemporary dance becomes public art in Stand Up Dance’s signature project.
Conceived and directed by Meagan O’Shea, dance like no one is watching is inspired by mobile clubbing. It is contemporary dance as public art; animating and reshaping the public’s perspective of their space.
Dancers appear on street corners, in parks, in schools, at festivals and in public spaces to perform spontaneously composed choreography, en masse.
Sometimes the soundtrack is a secret, spectators can follow online to download the playlist to listen along. Sometimes the soundtrack is broadcast through portable transistor radios that tune in and out as the dancers move, creating an original score, sometimes music is amplified, dependent on the surroundings.
“Meagan O’Shea is loved for her dance like no one is watching street dance project." -T.O. Live with Culture
There are 3 ways to bring… dance like no one is watching to your community
1 dance like no one is watching can be imagined and created with many different groups.
From professional to recreational dancers of different styles, Meagan O’Shea, Artistic Director of Stand Up Dance, will work with a group of movers over the course of a week to teach and develop improvisation scores appropriate for the group and the performance context. At the end of the week, the group performs publicly, as part of a larger event or unannounced throughout the community’s public landscape (down the main street, in shop windows, in a square or park, at the train station, etc.)
The signature dance like no one is watching tee-shirt comprises the costume for the project, and is available to participants for reduced rates.
"Meagan has an infectious energy that cultivates curiosity, intelligence and passion in everyone involved in her process and creation." -dance like no one is watching dancer, Toronto, 2010
2 In a school setting, dance like no one is watching is for participating students grade 3 & up.
Over the course of a week, Meagan O’Shea, Artistic Director of Stand Up Dance, works in your school with multiple groups of students to teach and develop movement improvisation scores.
At the end of the week the group draws on their shared material to create a site-specific dance performance. This performance can take place in a classroom, on the school stage or even in the schoolyard with multiple classes attending a special outdoor performance. Details are specific to each site.
The teaching component of dance like no one is watching improvisation scores includes all dance curriculum dance requirements for junior and intermediate students (in Ontario). The movement creation, composition and improvisation tools the students acquire and practice during this project assist in developing focus, cooperation and solution-building skills.
A special all-ages dance like no one is watching tee-shirt comprises the costume for the project, and is available to participants for reduced rates.
"Meagan is incredibly skilled in her art and the direction of creation. She works with great integrity and always finds a way to bring out the joy of dance in her work and those participating in her process." -dance like no one is watching dancer, Toronto, 2010
3 dance like no one is watching is also available with Stand Up Dance company dancers for Festivals and Special Events.
Book dance like no one is watching now.
Contact Meagan O’Shea at info@standupdance.com or 416.899.7811
