Random dance is not so random

McGregors typical process of making new work involves giving his dancers task-based instructions such as sketch a shape in your mind and describe that shape with movement,allowing them free rein to create movement and then editing the phrases they produce. In investigating their creative process,Barnard began by stopping the dancers in the midst of their improvisations and having them fill out questionnaires that got them thinking about what they were responding to while making movementan emotional or verbal impulse,aural or visual stimuli,an idea or a mental image.

When you talk to them,most dancers say theyre mostly reacting intuitively,but when we stop them and sample their thoughts,theyre likely to report action-based or verbal-based images, Barnard said. The content is much more complex and intricate than you would think.

Barnards work will figure in the companys next piece,which McGregor will begin in the fall.