Five Ways In
Research Themes
Community
What is the community of contact improvisation? How can contact improvisation be used in intentional communities and in creating community?
Personal Transformation
How does contact improvisation contribute to personal, spiritual and social transformation? In this theme we include therapeutic benefits and the appreciation of nature.
Political Change
Can contact improvisation contribute to making real changes in the world?
Teaching and Education
How is the way CI is taught and learnt relate to the quality of experience in CI events?
Intersubjectivity-Visual Anthropology
What concepts and areas of anthropology can best do justice to the transformative impacts of CI and the other research themes that emerged from the process of filming and feedback? How can the research value of this documentary be best argued in relation to current social and visual anthropology?
Visual Media
How can visual media be used to research and communicate key aspects of CI?
Performance
How is CI performed? What is it’s value within wider contemporary dance performances? What are the value of performance evenings in CI festivals?
Contribute a new theme
What new research themes does the documentary open for you?
Docusphere
Nancy Stark Smith -Dance in Peace
Nancy Stark Smith, fondly known as the mother of contact improvisation, died on the 1st May, 2020. In celebration and memory of a life that inspired and touched so many, Alyssa Lynes, Sonja Bruhlmann and Mike Poltorak would like to make our documentary -Five Ways In-free to view. As the International Contact Festival Freiburg owes a profound debt of gratitude to Nancy Stark Smith’s tireless enthusiasm and teaching of the form, Five Ways In in turn would not have been possible without her. Her underscore inspired the structure of the film. At… Read More
NYC: Inclusivity as a physical, musical and spoken Conversation
INCLUSION: “Yeah-even when you are on the fringes you are really still a part of it. I love that about CI-when we are creating that kind of general vibe.” January 14, 2017 New York City Premiere at Jack (a cozy film and performance space in Brooklyn) (http://www.jackny.org/) A variety of people showed up to this event. There were 3-4 people who had never danced CI before and a few teachers of CI and a bunch of CI dancers who range in level and interest, race, age, and background. I found the… Read More
An Interview with CI Virgins!
Ever wonder what people who don’t know anything about CI would say if they came and saw the film as their very first impression and then entered the JAM? Alyssa (A) interviews two brand new beginners (B & C) at the showing & Jam, Darmstadt, Germany Oct. 2, 2016 A: So you guys came and saw the film. Did you also see Fall After Newton- the early film shown? Two Beginner Women: Yes. A: I am just curious since it’s brand new to you, 1. How you found out about Contact Improvisation… Read More
Researching Contact Improvisation 