Observation Of Darrell Jones's Improvisation Class

Darrell Jones teaches a mixed level contact improvisation class at the Dance Center. I chose to observe his class because his teaching style is so incredibly unique and he has a passion for his material unlike any teacher I’ve ever had. I was also interested in how he navigates being a male teacher in a class of eleven girls for a technique based on proximity and physical contact. He left the room silent for this class, though at times he does play music. Because this work is incredibly internal, it is sometimes easier to reduce stimuli from outside so the students can focus on their bodies. Being a swing/thrust mover, Darrell’s classes shift between slower paced moving and upbeat to the point of exhaustion. This class however, was a calmer

He has an amazing ability to level the relationship between teacher and students by asking questions and changing the way he talks to relate to each student. He talked about sharing the power to alter perceptions about the work. When he was first learning this technique, his teachers would ask “can I give you an image?” or “can I ask you to think about…” It allows for a give and take relationship and requires equal participation. The students have to welcome the information which leaves the teacher in a vulnerable place. He said he gets nervous when he teaches because he gives his students the opportunity to shut his work down. When I asked him why he does it then, he said he wanted to honor the way contact improv was taught to

I asked him about the student who was giving him a hard time with the balloon and the partner work and how he plans on working with her. He said that her sass can be really hurtful because he is offering up his best material and when she shuts him down it’s upsetting. I wasn’t ready to hear that. I’m not sure why it upset me so much, maybe because I have the highest respect Darrell or because I know that I sometimes resist teachers’ material, but it changed the way I thought about my teaching and teaching in general. It is a performance constantly and it allows for instant criticism. He said he sees the eye rolls from the other side of the room when a student isn’t interested in what he has to offer and it takes a lot of courage to brush that off and remain confident in his work. He said that he might have this conversation with that student so she knows how hard he works to keep her engaged, hoping it will change her