NMD's Philosophy
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NobleMotion Dance focuses heavily on a dialogical process. While our end goal is always to make work of merit that will emotionally stir audiences, we also like to engage in an on-going conversation with our collaborators and patrons. By challenging both our own boundaries as well as our dancers/collaborators, our hope is to engage in a clear and articulate process that is reflective in the work.
A large component of NobleMotion’s work focuses on direction. It is easy to rely on “cool” movement and forget the intention or meaning of the work. In our process, careful attention is given to details, specifically character development and meaning making through movement. In other words, we want our dancers to fully understand what they are dancing about and why.
NobleMotion’s choreographic explorations are constantly shifting. We do not want to box our work into one specific category but remain diverse in our aesthetic. While we have developed a wide range of work, one consistency in our choreography is that we enjoy creating a catalyst for dancers’ self-expression. Humor, drama (in the best sense of the word) and pathos are common emotions we aspire to convey. We often find motivation for these emotions in common people with complex relationships. People are fascinating and we love to learn through observation.
Much of NobleMotion’s choreography deals with what is left unsaid. We believe it is important to develop movement that alludes to ideas yet allows the audience enough flexibility for personal ownership of the work. If we can accomplish this goal, NobleMotion is likely to create work that resonates deeply and encourages self-reflection. There is nothing more satisfying than having an audience member passionately express to us their interpretation of our work.
NobleMotion’s choreographic themes have ranged from interpersonal dynamics to political commentary to gender related ideologies. Whatever the topic, we always try and make the dance personal and palpable. We will use any movement vocabulary that helps to convey the theme. It is important that the movement be unique to the work and aid in communicating an emotion or idea.
As choreographers’, we are not afraid to go against the grain and often create boundaries in our work only so that we may break them. Much like life, it is this slightly irreverent sense of absurdity that we often try and emulate. Ultimately, we are trying to create the illusion of reality in art and provide a positive process for growth and acceptance.
- Andy Noble and Dionne Sparkman Noble