We gave an introduction of BIT at the VDO symposium on dance dramaturgy:
Maybe you were already thinking about our name for a while, what does it mean, BIT, what does it stand for? We chose for the name BIT because this word has various connotations with what we think is related to dance dramaturgy and its different meanings reflect the diversity of perspectives in our group.
Bit can mean ‘bit by bit’; a little at a time. We are learning things about the process of making dance bit by bit, but we are also learning things about practicing dance dramaturgy bit by bit.
Bit could also have the meaning of having a role, ‘having a bit part’ or ‘being a bit player’. As a dramaturge, you have a certain rol in the process of making dance. We are examining what this role could be exactly, what it’s not, and if it is possible or convenient to broaden the borders of this role.
Another meaning of the word ‘bit’ is as in the common name of a binary digit, the smallest unit of information systems, which can take on only the number 0 or 1. This connotation refers to the analysis of the smallest unit of information of a dancepiece, where the dramaturge can give a helping hand. It could refer to the binary aspect of dramaturgy as well; like in-out (of the process), present-absent, involvement-keeping distance…
Or, as in the verb ‘bite’; as we start working with a choreographer we would be biting into the material to hold on to all the details, to grasp and to experience the process fully to be able to contribute as much as we can to this very process.
The last idea that comes into mind is that in Dutch the word ‘bit’ is the iron mouthpiece of a horse, where the reins are attached to. The reins are the lines, the directions, where the dance material can go. When regarding this image as the process of making dance, the ‘bit’ is the place where everybody involved in this process meets and shares knowledge. This way, all threads of the development of the process can be attuned.
So, how to gather these diverse visions on dance dramaturgy?
BIT is a platform of young dance dramaturges, who have just presented themselves here. We all are quite new to the field of dance dramaturgy to a greater or lesser extent. We are working in the field of dance and are practicing and developing our skills as dramaturges. We are actually constantly learning in practice. Because we all believe that this really is a profession which can only be learned while doing. Besides, we are individuals; we are all different. I am telling you something about BIT, I can present BIT, but I cannot represent BIT. Because I don’t know what the other members of BIT think exactly. We have different approaches and visions and sometimes we contradict or even disagree.
As you may have noticed, some of us for example, see the dramaturge as a co-creator, and others see the dramaturge as someone who is serving the choreographer. Some of us regard the dramaturge as a person who has to inspire the choreographer during his work, others think that the dramaturge should mainly watch over the concept and help the choreographer to focus. There are some who think research is the main task of the dramaturge, and some who believe his focus should be on reflecting on the work.
All these different visions, opinions, thoughts and ideas widen up our dialogue. We are learning from each others words, and thereby we can develop ourselves as dance dramaturges.
Dramaturgy is there in every performance, if you only watch closely. A dramaturge is trained to communicate what a performance in his/here eyes communicates. But why ask a dramaturge whose specialisation is dance? A dance dramaturge is someone with specific knowledge about watching dance. He has skills of looking at the body. At movement. Movement qualities. At choreographing principles. And can name all these aspects that are in the centre of dance.
The platform BIT fulfils our need to share ideas about working methods, approaches and theories with colleagues as we found ourselves working individually. We are trying to create a place to gather and share our experiences in order to learn from each other and to keep challenging ourselves. We meet to exchange and to develop the craft of dance dramaturgy, by talking about different theories like those on phenomenology or about more practical aspects of dramaturgy such as communication processes. We research, discuss and question aspects of dance dramaturgy in order to deepen its practice.
Besides developing ourselves as dramaturges, we also have the goal to create more openness and knowledge for everyone who is interested in dance dramaturgy. We would like to be within the reach of those interested by creating this platform so to speak.
Anyway, we hope to be able to satisfy to the meaning of the english saying “to champ at the bit”; to burst with energy!
We can’t wait to learn more and explore our fields.