The DC Jam's (Nearly) Monthly Underscore
The DC jam practices an ensemble improv recipe, called the Underscore, during the jam on the first Sunday of each month. It started (December, 2003) as an experiment. The aim was to make the jam more accessible to everyone by providing some Jam-oriented structure. It stuck, big time. It does provide useful newcomer orientation. In addition, many - new and experienced - find that it helps to foster a great jam - with benefits carrying over to our non-Underscore jam days.
The Underscore is an improv recipe developed by Nancy Stark Smith, and evolving in practice lead by her and many others. It includes a carefully described trajectory and focus on connections. The structure cultivates connecting with oneself and with others, neither to the exclusion of the other. Having a room full of people tuned into it promotes an ease of involvement and discovery in moving with others. It's a great opportunity for exploring contact improv and group movement improv from a very body-based approach, whether or not you're experienced with jamming.
Our Underscores take place on the first Sunday of each month, with (usually) Ken providing an introductory description between 2:00 and 2:30, and then leading the path into the open score. We usually end the open score at 4:30, followed by the closing circle.
The structure works best if those previously unacquainted attend the orientation between 2:00 and 2:30. Also, the more of us that are on time - present and warmed up by 2:30 - the better the it works. (Particularly since someone has to break away to open the door for each person arriving late.) So, try to arrive on time, but come and enjoy in any case.
Ken rants about the underscore in Our CI Jam And The Underscore.
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