Poetry in Motion with Eliza
- Ages 16+
Ignite your creativity where movement meets language. Learn improvisational dance and poetic writing skills through playful exercises.
Select date and time
Location
Newtown Community Centre - Te Whare Hapori o Nga Puna Waiora
Rintoul Street Wellington, Wellington 6021 New ZealandRefund Policy
About this event
About the Workshop
Poetry in Motion is an immersive two-day workshop that explores the dynamic relationship between dance improvisation and poetic writing. In this playful laboratory, we'll discover how physical expression can unlock new writing possibilities, and how words can inspire fresh movement qualities—creating a vibrant conversation between body and language that enriches both practices.
Workshop Journey: A Creative Conversation
Throughout the weekend, you'll experience a fluid interplay between movement and poetry. Rather than keeping these art forms separate, we'll weave them together in a series of imaginative exercises designed to spark creativity and expand your expressive range. Each session builds upon the last, creating a progressive journey into the rich territory where physical and verbal expression meet.
You'll dive into improvisational movement explorations that generate surprising poetic material. You'll play with how written prompts can transform your dancing body. You'll experiment with rhythm, imagery, and sensation across both disciplines. The entire weekend embraces a spirit of discovery—there are no "final performances" or polished pieces to produce, just the joy of creative exploration and the unexpected connections that emerge.
Who This Workshop Is For
This workshop is for you if:
- You're a dancer curious about how words might deepen or expand your movement practice
- You're a writer who wants to bring more physicality and embodiment to your creative process
- You love to play and experiment at the edges of different art forms
- You're looking for fresh approaches to unlock creative blocks in either discipline
- You enjoy collaborative, supportive environments where serious artistic exploration happens through playful experimentation
- You're drawn to interdisciplinary approaches but haven't known where to start
No previous experience in either dance or poetry is required—just bring your curiosity and willingness to try new things!
About Your Facilitator
Eliza brings a spirit of playful exploration and deep artistic inquiry to her teaching. Over the past two years, she has been specifically developing workshops that bridge movement and poetic practices, creating accessible yet profound experiences for participants of all backgrounds. With a book of poetry forthcoming later this year and years of dance experience, Eliza works at the vibrant intersection of these forms, guiding participants with humor, insight, and a contagious enthusiasm for creative discovery. Previous participants often comment on her ability to create environments where taking creative risks feels both exciting and safe.
What to Bring
A notebook, comfortable clothing for movement, your favorite pen, and your sense of adventure. All other materials will be provided.
No Perfection Required
This workshop celebrates the messy, unexpected, and delightful discoveries that happen when we let go of getting it "right." Some of your most awkward attempts might lead to your most interesting breakthroughs. Come ready to laugh, experiment, and surprise yourself as we play in the fertile ground between movement and language—where poetry truly becomes motion, and motion becomes poetry.
Frequently asked questions
Not at all! This workshop is designed to be accessible to beginners while still offering depth for those with experience in either discipline. Come with an open mind and willingness to try new approaches.
We'll focus on improvisational movement rather than choreographed sequences. You'll learn techniques for generating movement from internal sensations, imagery, and poetic prompts. The emphasis is on exploration rather than specific dance techniques.
Absolutely not! This workshop approaches poetry as an accessible form of creative expression, not an academic exercise. We focus on playful, generative writing techniques that anyone can engage with, regardless of prior writing experience.
Comfortable clothing that allows you to move freely. Layers are recommended as your body temperature may change throughout our movement sessions. We'll be working barefoot, so no special footwear is required.
Sharing is always optional. While there will be opportunities to share both movement and writing with partners or small groups, you'll never be required to perform for the entire group if you're not comfortable. The workshop emphasizes process over product.
A notebook, your favorite pen(s), comfortable clothing for movement, water bottle, and a curious mindset. All other materials will be provided.
The movement portions are adaptable to different physical abilities and comfort levels. We'll work with a range of dynamics from subtle, gentle explorations to more expansive movement. You're always encouraged to modify activities to suit your body's needs and boundaries.
Yes! Those with more experience in one discipline often find fresh inspiration by approaching it through the lens of another art form. The interdisciplinary nature of the workshop often helps break through creative blocks and opens new possibilities in your primary practice.
We'll explore various relationships between movement and writing—sometimes moving first and then writing, sometimes writing first and then moving, and occasionally experimenting with simultaneous practices. All approaches are playful explorations rather than rigid exercises.
No preparation is necessary. Just come with an open mind and ready to engage.
The workshop is limited to 18 participants to ensure quality attention and adequate space for movement exploration.
Yes, single-day options are available. While the full weekend offers a more complete experience, each day is designed to provide valuable standalone learning. If possible, attending Saturday rather than Sunday is preferred.