*Faith Jam is a side project of the artistic director of J. Lindsay Brown Dance.
It does not reflect the opinions or views of the company mission or of individual company members.
It does not reflect the opinions or views of the company mission or of individual company members.
Bring your questions. Bring your training.
Bring yourself!
Bring yourself!
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WHAT IS FAITH JAM?
Overview
Faith Jam is new dance improvisation/choreography workshop by J. Lindsay Brown, designed to unite Christian dance makers and provide for a forum to explore scripture and spirituality through movement. Non-Christian dance makers are welcome to take part in Faith Jams--they will never need to defend or explain their own religious beliefs.
There is a need
The postmodern dance world is devoid of religion, especially Christianity. In fact, Christianity is actively avoided as a topic in both dance and discussion. I know dance professionals who downplay or hide their faith for fear of losing respect or even their position. Even if a danceartist persists in discussing their faith, either from a personal perspective or as it relates to their work, they must precede their words with disclaimers and justify the conversation. I want to provide a safe space for dancers to discuss God, Christ, the Bible, and their art freely without fear of rejection. I want to give dancers a chance to deepen their faith through their instrument, using their dance background and education as a springboard.
Use your training!
Although we support many different ways to celebrate faith through movement, Faith Jam is not working from a liturgical dance tradition. Wikipedia sums up liturgical dance as “a type of dance movement sometimes incorporated into liturgies or worship services as an expression of worship: the dancers will respond with an appropriate dance which flows out of the music and is thought to enhance the prayer or worship experience.” Faith Jam is not a liturgical dance gathering. Unlike liturgical dance, it is born from improvisation and each performer’s individual experience and relationship to God and Scripture. We do not always use music, nor do we exclusively rely on music or service structure to create our work. While liturgical dance often aims to create beautiful and soothing movement vocabulary we will be creating movement that suits the Biblical material, whether it is ugly, awkward, difficult, or joyous.
What is a Faith Jam?
Faith Jam is like a bible study meets choreography/improvisation class. We will have discussion, improvisation jams, choreographic workshops, and dance feedback showings.
Improvisation is a form of prayer, and the Holy Spirit is never stronger in me than when I’m opening myself to improvise. I want to explore this and create genuine dialogue with God and other Christians through dance. In terms of choreographic work, there are systems for creating work from literature, but I’ve rarely, if ever, seen them applied to Biblical texts. I want to see what happens we when treat the Bible as a real textual source, as opposed to a vague emotional source of inspiration. Lastly, faithbased choreography is generally avoided beyond liturgical dance, and I want a supportive environment for feedback for Christian Modern Dance.
Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran
We are graciously supported by Immanuel Lutheran Church in Edgewater.
Find out more about them here: https://immanuelchicago.org
If you have questions, please contact me
j.lindsay.brown@gmail.com
Faith Jam is new dance improvisation/choreography workshop by J. Lindsay Brown, designed to unite Christian dance makers and provide for a forum to explore scripture and spirituality through movement. Non-Christian dance makers are welcome to take part in Faith Jams--they will never need to defend or explain their own religious beliefs.
There is a need
The postmodern dance world is devoid of religion, especially Christianity. In fact, Christianity is actively avoided as a topic in both dance and discussion. I know dance professionals who downplay or hide their faith for fear of losing respect or even their position. Even if a danceartist persists in discussing their faith, either from a personal perspective or as it relates to their work, they must precede their words with disclaimers and justify the conversation. I want to provide a safe space for dancers to discuss God, Christ, the Bible, and their art freely without fear of rejection. I want to give dancers a chance to deepen their faith through their instrument, using their dance background and education as a springboard.
Use your training!
Although we support many different ways to celebrate faith through movement, Faith Jam is not working from a liturgical dance tradition. Wikipedia sums up liturgical dance as “a type of dance movement sometimes incorporated into liturgies or worship services as an expression of worship: the dancers will respond with an appropriate dance which flows out of the music and is thought to enhance the prayer or worship experience.” Faith Jam is not a liturgical dance gathering. Unlike liturgical dance, it is born from improvisation and each performer’s individual experience and relationship to God and Scripture. We do not always use music, nor do we exclusively rely on music or service structure to create our work. While liturgical dance often aims to create beautiful and soothing movement vocabulary we will be creating movement that suits the Biblical material, whether it is ugly, awkward, difficult, or joyous.
What is a Faith Jam?
Faith Jam is like a bible study meets choreography/improvisation class. We will have discussion, improvisation jams, choreographic workshops, and dance feedback showings.
Improvisation is a form of prayer, and the Holy Spirit is never stronger in me than when I’m opening myself to improvise. I want to explore this and create genuine dialogue with God and other Christians through dance. In terms of choreographic work, there are systems for creating work from literature, but I’ve rarely, if ever, seen them applied to Biblical texts. I want to see what happens we when treat the Bible as a real textual source, as opposed to a vague emotional source of inspiration. Lastly, faithbased choreography is generally avoided beyond liturgical dance, and I want a supportive environment for feedback for Christian Modern Dance.
Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran
We are graciously supported by Immanuel Lutheran Church in Edgewater.
Find out more about them here: https://immanuelchicago.org
If you have questions, please contact me
j.lindsay.brown@gmail.com
