Contact Improv with Eliza - Foundations for all levels
- Ages 18+
A two-day immersive workshop exploring the art of physical dialogue through movement
Select date and time
Location
Footnote New Zealand Dance
80 Cuba Street #Level 1 Wellington, Wellington 6011 New ZealandRefund Policy
About this event
- Paid venue parking
About Contact Improvisation
Contact Improvisation is a dynamic form of dance that focuses on the physical interaction between partners, exploring shared weight, momentum, and communication through touch. It invites participants to engage with their bodies and each other in a spontaneous and intuitive way, fostering an improvisational practice that emphasizes trust, responsiveness, and creativity in movement.
Workshop Journey: Building Blocks to Fluid Dance
Over these two enriching days, you'll discover how the seemingly paradoxical qualities of spontaneity and intuitive responsiveness are actually built upon simple, practical skills that can be learned and developed methodically.
Day One: The Language of Touch We begin with the fundamental vocabulary of contact—understanding different modes of touch and movement through sliding, rolling, pressure, simple points of contact, peeling, pivoting, and sloffing. Through structured exercises, you'll explore the interplay between stillness and movement, tuning into the expansive possibilities that emerge from these basic elements. Importantly, all first-day exercises can be practiced with the floor or wall as your partner, making this an accessible entry point for those who may feel hesitant about partnering with others immediately.
Day Two: Dynamic Relationships Building on these foundations, our second day ventures into the dynamic territory of momentum, weight sharing, basic lifts, and the art of falling safely. You'll learn to surrender to the flow of the dance while maintaining awareness and connection, discovering how trust and physical dialogue evolve naturally from the skills introduced on day one. We'll work with the joy of abandoning preconceptions and finding genuine moments of improvised movement.
Who This Workshop Is For
This workshop creates a uniquely rich learning environment precisely because it brings together diverse movement backgrounds and experience levels. The beauty of Contact Improvisation emerges when different bodies, perspectives, and skill levels interact, creating opportunities for discovery that wouldn't exist in a homogeneous group. We warmly welcome:
- Complete newcomers curious about Contact Improvisation
- Those who feel nervous about touch but want to explore movement principles
- Dancers who have attended a few jams and want structured guidance
- Experienced movers seeking to refine their technique
- Return students looking to revisit fundamentals with fresh eyes
- Anyone interested in expanding their movement vocabulary
About Your Facilitator
Eliza brings years of dedicated practice and teaching to her workshops, known for creating environments of deep care and attentive guidance. Her wealth of knowledge in Contact Improvisation is matched by her ability to meet each participant exactly where they are—offering challenges that stretch without overwhelming, and support that empowers without limiting exploration. Former participants consistently highlight Eliza's remarkable capacity to hold space for both technical development and personal discovery.
No Perfect Required
The most beautiful moments in Contact Improvisation often emerge from unexpected places—mistakes become discoveries, hesitations transform into creative pauses, and diverse abilities become complementary gifts. Come as you are, with whatever body and experience you have. The only requirement is openness to the journey.
Frequently asked questions
Comfortable clothing that allows for free movement is ideal. Loose-fitting pants, t-shirts, leggings, or dance wear that you can roll and slide in work well. Layers are recommended as your body temperature may change throughout the practice. We dance barefoot, so no special footwear is needed.
Not at all! This workshop is designed for all levels, including complete beginners. The fundamentals we cover are accessible to anyone interested in exploring movement, regardless of dance background.
Your comfort is a priority. Day one includes floor/wall practice options to build confidence gradually. All partner work is consensual, and observation is always welcome. Eliza creates a supportive environment where boundaries are respected.
The practice can be adapted to different physical abilities and energy levels. While some aspects involve weight sharing and momentum, you'll learn techniques at your own pace and are encouraged to honour your body's needs. The workshop includes options for rest and observation.
Yes/ probably! Please inform Eliza about any physical considerations before the workshop. Contact Improvisation naturally accommodates different bodies and abilities, and modifications can be offered for specific exercises to ensure you can participate safely.
While jams are typically open-format dancing sessions, this workshop provides structured learning with clear progressions, specific techniques, and guided exercises. You'll receive direct feedback and have time to break down movements that might happen quickly in a jam setting.
The workshop is designed as a progressive two-day experience, with day two building on the foundations established on day one. While attending both days offers the most complete experience, please contact Eliza if you can only attend one day to discuss options.
Water bottle, snacks, a journal if you like to take notes, and possibly a light blanket for reflection periods. Consider bringing a change of clothes if you tend to sweat during physical activity. A selection of Tea's will be provided.
The workshop is limited to 16 participants to ensure quality attention and adequate space for movement exploration.
There is one scholarship available for someone who has tertiary training in Contemporary Dance. Apply for this scholarship by emailing eliza@houseofsand.org with an introduction of yourself and 2 -3 sentence on why you are interested in the workshop by Wednesday 4th June.
Yes/usually. Contact Improvisation involves touch and weight sharing between partners. However, this workshop is designed so that you can learn the skills without touching others.All touch is non-sexual, consensual, and approached through the lens of physical dialogue rather than social interaction.
Hell no! Experienced dancers often find that revisiting fundamentals with fresh attention reveals new depths in their practice. The mixed-level environment offers unique opportunities to refine subtle aspects of your technique while exploring qualities like presence, listening, and spontaneity that