Abandon: An Introduction to Butoh Dance

Abandon: An Introduction to Butoh Dance invites you to explore the bodymind as a site of sensitivity, transformation, and transgression.

'Excellent workshop. Butoh helped me to be something else.' — Workshop Participant

What is Butoh?

Butoh emerged in Japan in the late 1950s as a rebellion against Western dance convention.

Rather than training toward set choreography, Butoh dancers first move from the imagination, dreaming up movement that can be grotesque, tender, absurd, or anything in between.

What we'll do

Across the session you'll move through practical exercises drawn from a range of classical and contemporary Butoh practitioners. By relaxing the body, we'll learn to work from images (or qualia) and impulse, discovering new ways of moving and being.

How do your bones dance? What about a body made of pollen, or eyes counting a thousand strawberry seeds? How does it feel to empty the body of bones, organs, and muscles, leaving only a hollow space where three birds are flying?

Your facilitator

Abandon is facilitated by Megan O'Hare, a Sunshine Coast-based performing artist and facilitator who has trained in Butoh with leading practitioners both domestically and internationally. Teachers include: Maro Akaji/Dairakudakan (JP), Atsushi Takenouchi/Jinen Butoh (JP), Joan Laage/Kogut Butoh (US), Adam Koan/Shadowbody Butoh (US), Paul Michael Henry (SCT/IE), Lynne Bradley/Zen Zen Zo Physical Theatre (AU), and Rita Soma (ES).

Who it's for

No dance background is required. Please share any access needs beforehand, and tend to your own wellbeing throughout the session.

What you'll leave with

• An understanding of Butoh's core principles and concepts

• Practical exercises to revisit in your own personal or creative practice

• New ways to generate movement

• A felt sense of what it means to be moved, rather than moving

We close the session together over a shared pot of tea.

What people are saying

'Megan's exercise/meditation was very beautiful and deep, it brought me into the present moment and at the same time made me lose track of time and space.' — Workshop Participant

Ready to move differently?

Strictly limited capacity. Buy your ticket/s below to claim your spot to train in an intimate, focused environment.