Panel Discussion #1 Dance Criticism In The Time of Corona

The first event of this project was an open panel discussion that addressed the challenges and issues encountered by dance critics in the time of pandemic. The host Petra Dotlačilová (CZ) invited five European dance critics to join a discussion about how corona has altered their practice. The invitation was accepted by Sanjoy Roy (UK), Marisa Hayes (FR), Josef Bartoš (CZ), Hild Borchgrevink (NO) and Anette Therese Pettersen (NO).

“The performing arts sector is among the worst hit by the covid pandemic,” explains Petra Dotlačilová, “theatres have been closed for more than a year, companies could not even rehearse at times, and the only way to reach their audiences was through screens and outdoor performances. As a result of this crisis, another group of people could not conduct their work as usual – dance critics.”
The discussion was open to professional dance critics, dancers, producers, and wide audience with the aim to discuss current issues of our roles together with our guests.
When the pandemic struck, did the critics continue to reflect the activity of dance artists under the new conditions, or did they stop following the scene due to the change of media? How did they perceive the different styles and quality of ‘dance on screen’? And has the situation changed their way of thinking – and writing – about dance?

You can find the recording of the webinar here:

Bios of invited guests:

Josef Bartoš is a dance writer and editor-in chief of Taneční aktuality. A Duncan Centre conservatory graduate, he got an MA in Dance Studies from the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague, where he is studying for a PhD, furthering his interest in psychological aspects of dance. He teaches Dance and Theatre History, Production and Management Basics and Diploma Seminar at the said conservatory.

Hild Borchgrevink is a writer, artist, editor, and currently a PhD research candidate at the Norwegian Academy of Music. She writes on music and music theatre for the daily Dagsavisen and Scenekunst.no. She holds an MFA in art and public spaces from the Oslo National Academy of the Arts, an MA in musicology, and an equivalent to a BA in creative writing and performative criticism. She was editor of Scenekunst.no. She has experience as a project leader of contemporary music festivals such as Nordic Music Days and Ultima.

Marisa C. Hayes is a Franco-American arts writer, curator, and educator based in Paris. She contributes to a variety of print and electronic media in French and English, including Dance International (Canada), Dance Magazine  (USA), Alternatives Théâtrales (Belgium),  and CurioCity (France). She is editor in chief of the dance journal Repères, cahier de danse at La Briqueterie - National Choreographic Development Center in France and serves as board member for the International Journal of Screendance. Marisa also coordinates the Franco-Irish Erasmus+ contemporary summer dance program in Paris and co-directs the Festival International de Vidéo Danse de Bourgogne.

Anette Therese Pettersen is a performing arts critic, curator, editor and writer, and currently a Ph.D. research candidate at the University of Agder. She has an MA in theatre research from the University of Oslo and writes reviews for Morgenbladet, Scenekunst.no, and Norsk Shakespeare- og Teatertidsskrift. She has worked as a producer within the performing arts, still cooperating  with choreographer Henriette Pedersen. She a co-founder of Writingshop,  a project that examines the processes and politics of contemporary criticism in practice.

Based in London, Sanjoy Roy has been writing on dance for the Guardian newspaper since 2002, and contributes to other publications in the UK and internationally. He was formerly production editor at Dance Books Ltd. He is a regular mentor for the Springback Academy dance writing programme, hosted by Aerowaves Europe, and is founder editor of Springback Magazine, launched in 2018. sanjoyroy.net

Témata článku

DANCE