Shifting Sites: an indoor studio sharing by Yanaëlle Ritter

During her hometown residency in Eastbourne this summer, Yanaëlle Ritter is building on her interests in outdoor practice and site-specific performance, and revisiting her 2021 solo Surfaces, a work originally created on sand.

Moving between a dance studio at Eastbourne College and nearby beaches revealed only at low tide, she is creating new movement “scores” — instructions and prompts for movement — inspired by shifting sands, hourglasses, and her current experience of pregnancy, while drawing on Cunningham Technique to support her connection to place and environment.

Yanaëlle is working alongside mentor Sue MacLennan, choreographer, dancer, and former Head of Choreography at London Contemporary Dance School.

During this open studio session at Eastbourne College, Yanaëlle will be sharing a 20-minute structured movement improvisation. Although this is taking place indoors, the material will be inspired by her outdoor explorations, and bringing elements of her site-specific practice indoors. This is an opportunity to engage with a process of dance-making, rather than a fully developed performance - a chance to experience Yanaëlle’s choreographic process at first hand.

Access
There is step-free access from street level to the reception at Eastbourne College
Lift from ground to the Winn dance studio on 1st floor
Wheelchair accessible toilets
This will be a relaxed event.

Please feel very welcome to contact the organiser to discuss any access requirements in advance.

*Cunningham Technique®: Created by legendary American dancer and choreographer Merce Cunningham, this is an abstract dance technique designed to create strength and flexibility of the body and mind, foster spatial awareness, and help dancers gain rhythmic precision and dynamic movement.

Shifting Sites is part of LIVE EDITIONS, a new programme of movement, sound and performance in Eastbourne and the South Downs, supported by Arts Council England. LIVE EDITIONS is led by Nikki Tomlinson, an independent curator and producer.

Images:
Above: Yanaëlle Ritter in The Performance Path, photo Antony Edwards
Below: Winn Dance Studio, Eastbourne College