The first time I worked with kids was in 2013, I was studying Contemporary Dance in Mexico City when I got the opportunity to share with the little ones the joy of movement. Everything I knew about “teaching” was by practice. I knew it was a big responsibility to guide those tiny bodies through the space and I was amazed by how much they taught me. I soon realized that I was just there to witness their creations and performances everyday, how beautiful is that?

Being in a classroom, dancing with the kids around it’s very different from performing with them. Paper Playground it’s my first experience dancing with tiny bodies on the stage.

As a performer I wasn’t used to talk about “nervous system” or to pay attention to how I approach the stage in order to project calm to the audience. It was very helpful to put this into practice, because I could sense the energy more contained with the kids. One of the things I noticed was the soft entrance, the singing and breathing, and how all of these things brought me so much peace that I was truly in the space ready to connect.

My experiences in group performances and touring have been always about catching up the cues, paying attention to the marks, to the spots, to the light, but never about sensing the energy, being aware of multiple tiny bodies improvising, setting rules, protecting props, using soft edges and the list goes on, Paper Playground was the opportunity to be, to play and to take care of others.

In this show I learned to “slow down”, to take the time to enjoy the play, to flow with the unexpected. As a mom I feel that I’m always in a rush, behind schedule. Dancing in this piece helped me to understand how kids engaged more in calmness. No need to be loud to attract their attention, soft as a cloud I want to be.

Inviting the audience to share the space it’s a huge thing, it means that everything can go wild or can go in the opposite direction.Being clear about the beginning and the ending of every game or part in the show made me feel more in control.

In Paper Playground every show is different and rather than focus on my technique on my projection, I was there to provide, guide and observe. It is truly an honest connection.

by Silene Razo

Photo credit: Harold Sikkema, Arts for All