Blanche Evan: An Interview

 I

Unit: Blanche Evan

Theme:  Enigma Project


Introduction

Blanche Evan believed in the use of dance as a creative way to transform the individual. There is so much to learn from this pioneer of Dance/Movement Therapy. In this interview she shares her methodology through important advice about how to lead a therapy session using dance.


II 

Learning Objective

 

  • Understand the learning history of Evan from her beginnings as a dancer to the moment she became a therapist
  • Explain the focus of a dance/movement therapist and the use of functional technique
  • Gain an awareness of the neurosis suffered by urban dwellers 
  • Experience the design of a dance/movement therapy session using Evan's ideas

 

III

Check In 


 

IV

 Main Lesson

 

 ENIGMA PROJECT


 Reading Together

 An Interview with Blanche Evan

 

V

A Note to Remember

  Blanche Evan, a dancer and choreographer, was a pioneer in the development of dance therapy. Her psycho-physical method refers to an experience that occurs concurrently on psychological and physical levels and describes the complex impact that the body has on the psyche, and that the psyche has on the body.

 

VI

Case Study

 

  Students and Faculty discuss the MA in Dance Movement Therapy and Counseling at Antioch New England. Dance/Movement Therapy integrates the mind, body, and spirit through verbal and non-verbal treatment approaches to wellness. The program is approved by the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA).

 




VII


Activity 1

 Students gather in groups. There will be a total of 6 groups. Each group will address 2 of the questions listed below by presenting on their answers.


STUDENT'S WORK

1. Students answer all their group questions

2. Create a Bibliography on Evan's work (links, books, videos)

3. Present their answers

4. Answer new questions to the rest of the class

-----------------------------------

VIII


 Questions

 

GROUP 1

Page 6

1. When trying to establish a lineage in Evan's dance training, who was the teacher that influenced her most in the use of dance as therapy?

 Page 8

2. Tracking Evan's experience in dance as therapy, what was her first time working with a special population?

GROUP 2

 Page 9

3. When was Evan's turning point from creative dance to dance therapy? Explain.

Page 10

4. According to Evan what should be the focus of the therapist?

GROUP 3

Page 11

5. What did Evan do when the client never danced before?

6. According to Evan what is Functional Technique?

GROUP 4

Page 12

7. According to Evan, what is the role of intuition in therapy?

Pages 12-13

8. How does Evan describe the "urban neurotic" from NY and elsewhere?

 GROUP 5

Page 13

9. Which are Evan's recommendations for those interested in becoming a dance therapist?

Page 14 - 15

10. Why was Evan so in favor of using words in her dance therapy?

GROUP 6

Page 15 - 16

11. How did Evan summarize her objectives in dance therapy with her clients?

Pages 16 - 17

12. What is your reflection on Evan's poetic description of a neurotic person?

------------------------------------------------

 

ACTIVITY 2

5. Each group develops a dance/movement self-therapy session based on/inspired-by the ideas expressed by Evan during her interview.

 

 IX

Journaling

 

X

Glossary

 

XI

Sources

 

XII

 Students' Work

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