Today I've got something a wee tad different for you! Wired have been working so hard teaching over at Edge Hill University lately, and now that the assessments have just been completed I thought it a perfect opportunity to get the Directors of Wired, Jamie Ogilvie and Wendy Hesketh-Ogilvie, to take a little break and chat to me about the whole process, and how it's going over there.
1) Briefly, what goes on in aerial dance module classes?
Wendy: Aerial dance is the first module of the three aerial performance modules we have designed and deliver to the second year students at Edge Hill as their first experience of aerial performance. We do two different types of warm ups over the three days which prepares the students and trains the students perfectly to begin working on vertical wall and bungee assisted dance.
We dance a lot, theorise aerial dance, and of course work a lot in the air.
2) What skills do students develop during their training?
Jamie: As well as the artistic developments the students are also taught the safe practice of aerial rigging and are given a basic introduction to the Health and Safety aspect regarding aerial performance work. They are taught the basic skills in; preparation for aerial performance work (including risk assessments and method statements), rigging of aerial performance equipment, equipment checks and general safety.
Wendy: They will gain a deep understanding of the muscles required for work within all elements of the aerial performance modules and how to use them effectively when rehearsing and performing. How to utilise aerial equipment to create performance works, focusing on developing an understanding of new circus and the use of “circus equipment” in an unconventional way, firm grounding in all the aerial skills we teach, appreciation and terminology used within the genre and will therefore be able to intelligently engage in conversation and debate.
3) How is the module taught?
Jamie: This depends on what module we are teaching really. Remember we have aerial dance, aerial arts and also the site specific module too. But on the whole,Wendy and Rob teach all modules together.
Wendy: Yes, we team teach most of the time and each lead on certain elements of the class depending on what it is. We generally have 6 weeks with each group so we can get an awful lot done in that time. We also make sure that from audition time, there is 6 months between finding out if they have been successful and getting started with us. We suggest that everyone wishing to do well on the courses begin a strict physical regime. We provide them with exercises to do and make them aware of the exercises they will be asked to perform in their physical test during their first lesson. This makes everyone aware of what level of fitness then need to work towards, or if the work they have put in already has paid off.4) Is it suitable for any students interested in dance?
Jamie: Yes as long as they have a certain level of ability which is determined during the audition process. The course is also available for dance, drama, physical theatre, and visual art students not just dance students.
Wendy: That's right, as it's open to other students studying a range of other subjects we do get some students who are wishing to broaden their skills but take these new findings into their current work. We look for the potential in every student and not only if they are an amazing dancer. The assessments last year were fabulous, ranging from aerial theatre pieces to pure aerial dance. I love this approach as it already begins to fuse several arts forms and this is why I designed these modules in this way.
5) Where and by whom is it taught?
Jamie: The modules are taught at Edge Hill University in Ormskirk, Lancashire. They are provided by Wired Aerial Theatre taught by Wendy-Hesketh Ogilvie, Jamie Ogilvie and Robert Guy.
6) What methods of assessment are used?
Wendy: We usually have three parts to an assessment so that it allows all students to display their learning of each module in different ways. This means that we generally require a paper document which evidences theoretical findings within the module or investigations, compare and contrasts of performing companies, a personal blog which may detail findings within performance companies but also physiological findings too and developments in their strength etc. We then also have a physical assessment which (depending on the focus of the module) either concentrates on exact skill performance (performance of a set study) or may require the student to create a sequence on a piece of equipment which clearly shows an understanding of skill performance and transitions. Then there is some form of choreography assessment involved, which pulls together all the theoretical work we have done and puts it into practice.7) How have your existing students responded to the course?
Jamie: Very well I think. This year we have had just under 100 students attend the audition for maximum of 32 places so its proving a very popular course. We are in discussion about creating another class group to accommodate the extra interest.
Wendy: That's right, and oh my goodness we are so lucky to be in the position of running such fresh, funky and challenging modules at the university. All the students walk around like some kind of mega stars as they are the chosen ones to be on the courses and to be working in a way that is new and different for them. We do work hard, we make it very clear when we begin teaching them that we will be teaching them as if they are professionals and we do. I think that the students sit up and listen and rise to the challenge with this type of approach and they really do work hard. In some cases it is quite remarkable the change in body shapes and fitness levels between when the second years leave us and when they return to us in the third year – having kept up their physical training! We really feel like we make a positive change in all of them. Its a real soul raiser!
Thanks again to Wendy and Jamie for taking the time to chat, and if you'd like to find out more about our courses available at Edge Hill, simply click here!
Thanks everyone, see you next week!
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