[NABS-L] Dance/theatre class in college

[Manahil Jafri]

Hi Sandra, 

I love that you ask this! I grew up taking dance corses and as my vision continued to deteriorate, I had to figure out different ways to adapt. I found that for classes where there was singular synchronized movement, the best way was if I had a TA be with me in class to help me go over the combinations. If the class was dance terminology heavy, I would have the TA go over all the movement correlating to the words and then be able to follow along in class as I knew what the Professor meant when she called out the terms. For partner work dances or classes, I would do a similar approach in having a TA to be my partner and we would work together to get all the movement down. 

I have taken classes in ballroom, ballet, modern, and classical, and have done huge dance numbers in my HS musicals and have just joined a dance team at my school, so if you have any questions, please reach out!! 

Best
Manahil
-
Manahil Jafri 
She/hers/her 
Membership Co-Chair | National Association of Blind Students
Secretary and Treasurer | New York Association of Blind Students 


> On Aug 25, 2022, at 9:34 PM, Z'Leah Liburd via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hello! It's so funny that you ask this question because I'm actually going
> through the same issue. I'm taking 2 dance courses. The disability services
> has hired a dan's assistant to come with me to both dance classes and show
> me the moves as the teacher is showing the other students. It seems to be
> working so far although it's only day 2
> 
>> On Thu, Aug 25, 2022, 7:40 AM Sandra Gayer via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>> wrote:
>> 
>> Hello Mikayla,
>> I hope other people have answered you off list at least. I took a
>> ballet course last year, run by a blind teacher. Run an Internet
>> search for Dark Room Ballet or Darkroom Ballet. (I can't remember if
>> the dark room is two words or one).
>> 
>> Without knowing the teaching style, it's hard to suggest accomodations
>> apart from the obvious like describing the movements with words whilst
>> carrying out actions. I am a singer but I have been in productions
>> where movement is required. Choreographers have always been extremely
>> helpful, either adapting movements to accomodate what I can and can't
>> do and showing me how, when and where to do things. Also, take into
>> account, your own learning style. Do you learn movements best by
>> listening or do you get more from a touch based approach. I only get
>> some much by listening and I need to feel the person's arms, legs and
>> so on, to grasp the style of movement, rather than just what is being
>> done. There are so mamy ways someone can lift their arm, for example.
>> Not just speed but smooth, fluid, spiky etc. That would be all just
>> noise to me but feeling the person move would make it all click.
>> 
>> Sorry this is so long.
>> Best of luck with your course.
>> Very best wishes,
>> Sandra.
>> 
>>> On 8/18/22, Mikayla Gephart via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>> Hi,
>>> 
>>>      Does anyone have any tips for blind students taking dance or
>> theatre
>>> classes? I am taking a class titled “Movement for Musical Theatre”. It is
>>> taught by a theatre professor, but is labeled as a dance class. I am
>> taking
>>> it because I need 2 credits of a PE or dance this semester, and it fits
>> best
>>> with my schedule. I’ve never taken a dance or theatre class, so any
>> advice
>>> would be appreciated.
>>> 
>>>      Also, is there anything in particular I should request that
>> Disability
>>> Services add to my accommodation letter. Most of my accommodations are
>> for
>>> academics.
>>> 
>>> Mikayla
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>> 
>> 
>> --
>> Sandra Gayer DipABRSM, LRSM.
>> 
>> Soprano Singer
>> www.sandragayer.com
>> 
>> Broadcast Presenter
>> www.rnibconnectradio.org.uk/music-box.html
>> 
>> Actor
>> www.visablepeople.com
>> 
>> Voiceover Artist
>> www.archangelvoices.co.uk/content/sandra-gayer
>> 
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