Leila McMillan guides participants through an embodied practice where movement and jiu jitsu intersect, exploring duality through physical contact, partner improvisation, and body entanglement to create a dynamic system of tension, release, and freedom.
Where: Tictac Art Centre, Brussels, Belgium
When: July 20 – 24 | 10:00 – 13:00
In this workshop, we will work with duality and how two truths can occupy the same space at the same time. We will build a system where movement and jiu jitsu intersect through engaging and disengaging in physical contact and distance. We will practice tools from solo/duo improvisation, jiu jitsu drills/concepts, and passing through (DZ) specific partner tools, for our physical approach. We will work with hands as grips, feet as hooks, pushing and pulling, looping arms and legs, different ways to carry the body, to float on top. How to interlock limbs forming different body entanglements, how to go under and over, moving through states of tension and asserting physicality. Duality is present in how two elements can coexist, whether this be abstract or tangible, opposite or complementary, working to form a dynamic system. We will work with visible and invisible partners entering a shadow system with the memory of our partner. You will be led through different improvisation tasks, game and goal-based structures, working with physical states, change of tension, invading and escaping one’s space, and restrictions to create freedom. We will work in pairs, creating a space for a witness, a support, a director, an instigator, a shadow…
This practice has been developing through the choreographic processes linked to 3 fingers at arm’s length (2017), Curl of Hair (2021), Chasing Ghosts (2023) and In the shade (2025).
Leila McMillan is an international choreographer, performer and teacher working between Europe and Asia. She has collaborated with artists including David Zambrano, Crystal Pite and Thomas Lehmen, and performed internationally through projects spanning dance, improvisation and interdisciplinary performance. Founder of the Soft Lock improvisation method, she currently leads the Contemporary Dance department at HKAPA in Hong Kong and has taught extensively across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, New Zealand, the United States and South America.
How to register: registrations: https://tictacartcentre.com/workshop/soft-lock/
Costs for participants:
Standard: € 150 (Our base rate) | Opportunity: € 120 (For those who need support) | Supporter: € 190 (Your extra helps others attend)
Contact details:
info@tictacartcentre.com
Ig: @tictacartcentre
For further information, please visit https://tictacartcentre.com/workshops/
For more dance WORKSHOPS, visit https://dancingopportunities.com/category/workshop/rogram.fr
