Reflections on dance improvisation in Greece as an embodied practice

Abstract

The aim of this article is to provide a brief overview of the use of improvisation in relation to choreography in Greece as an embodied practice. Although many dance scholars acknowledge the aesthetic potential and the freedom of spontaneity in the improvisational process, there is not direct theoretical reference to the choreographing methodologies that have been used in the Greek contemporary dance scene from the late 1980s until today. The research is qualitative and draws data from multiple sources, which include interviews with nine choreographers, attendance of live dance performances and/or performative events and references from the related dance literature. The authors’ reflections reveal important epistemological issues for further dance research on the current collaborative performing arts contexts.