ARCHETYPE: Solo Performance Showcase 8 Week Course
This 8-week course is designed to support dancers in creating an original solo rooted in an archetype—an embodied character, force, or essence that shapes movement, emotion, and presence.
Through structured improvisation, movement exploration, compositional tools, and reflective practices, dancers will be guided step-by-step from discovery to performance. Each week builds upon the last, offering both creative freedom and clear frameworks to help dancers deepen their personal voice while crafting a compelling solo.
Participants will explore archetypes drawn from myth, nature, emotion, motion, and persona, using them as a lens to develop movement quality, intention, and storytelling. The process emphasizes curiosity, embodiment, and authenticity rather than perfection.
This series culminates in an informal showcase where dancers present their completed solos in a supportive performance setting.
What to Expect
Guided improvisation exercises to discover and embody an archetype
Movement prompts to develop unique physical vocabulary
Tools for solo structure, pacing, and transitions
Supportive feedback and reflection circles
Space to explore confidence, stage presence, and intention
A final performance opportunity to share your work
Who This Is For
This workshop is open to dancers of all styles who are interested in creative exploration and solo work. A basic movement foundation is recommended, but choreography experience is not required. Dancers are encouraged to work at their own level and bring their full selves into the process.
Outcome
By the end of the series, each dancer will have:
A completed solo inspired by an archetype
Greater confidence in improvisation and creative decision-making
Tools to continue creating solo work beyond the workshop
Experience performing original work in a supportive environment
WHEN:
Choose a track
Track 1: Tuesdays 7.30-9pm 1/20-3/10 w/ Brenna Crowley
Track 2: Wednesdays 7.30-9pm 1/21-3/11 w/ Kaeshi Chai
Performance: Saturday March 14th, 8pm
WHERE:
8 Wk Course: Bellyqueen @ Playwrights 440 Lafayette St, 4th Floor, Studios to be announced, New York, NY 10003
Show: New York, NY
INVESTMENT:
$250, $225 Unlimited Pass Holders
* Includes a video and photos of the performance.
* Participants are expected to invite at least two paying audience members
* Costume is an extra cost
WHO: Brenna Crowley is an artist, dancer choreographer, instructor and producer based in NYC, and has performed and taught locally and across the country since first walking into her first dance class in 2004.
She has performed as a featured soloist, as a member of Sera Solstice's Solstice Ensemble, as part of many collaborations as well as her own collective, Zilla Dance Ensemble.
Currently teaching classes at Bellyqueen School, she has taught for Serena Studios, Solstice Studio and at Ailey Extension. Partnering with founder Giselle BellydanceNYC, they co-produce the theatrical dance events, the Witching Hour Boo-tique and Baile Noir. She also partnered with founder Danielle Hutton on Love Letters 2 and 3. She is also a proud ambassador for the dance clothing company D. Webb Designs.
When she’s not dancing, Brenna is crafting wreaths and home decor, listening to too many spooky and true crime podcasts, dabbling in SFX makeup, pretending to work for QVC and wrangling her four turtles and 40 houseplants.
Kaeshi Chai, an artist, educator, and environmental advocate, co-founded PURE Globe, an international community for healing and social change. With a rich background in dance, choreography, design, and event production, she has left her artistic imprint globally. She has directed the professional Bellyqueen Company and school for over 20 years. As a member of Bellydance Superstars, Bellydance Evolution, Bella Gaia and more, Kaeshi has performed in 48 states and 39 countries. Her current projects include "Nature Stories," bridging art and science for environmental awareness, and "Becoming - Exploring Identity." Kaeshi also contributes to events by Unity Earth, Purpose Earth, and the Global Peace Tribe, showcasing dance and movement meditations. Notably, she performed in the contemporary dance piece "Wildfires" by Spector Dance and created science / art performances about forest root systems and the December Solstice for the Exploratorium Museum in San Francisco. Kaeshi is a proud member of Evolutionary Leaders, a circle of forward-thinking individuals committed to human, social, and planetary transformation.