TALK-THROUGH

The Underscore is generally not led with verbal cues, so dancers need to know all the elements of the Underscore (an improvisational structure): the description and glyphs for the 20+ phases, 12+ connections, and 7+ aspects. Newcomers are introduced to and experienced Underscorers are refreshed to these elements through getting a Talk-Through. The idea is that people “know” the Underscore and are coming together to share the practice at the event. Generally the only cues during the Underscore are for Assembly, Final Resolution, the Sharing, and of course the end! Though with newer or less experienced groups, some facilitators (including the Catch-All Zoom site) gently lead some of the phases and add in words about the Connectionas or the Anytime-All-the-Time Aspects.

We encourage facilitators to offer a “talk-through” of the Global Underscore before a Full Score Practice (one of the Options for Participation). For a Full Score Practice, a talk-through should be at least 45 minutes in length, though 60+ minutes is preferable in order to allow for questions and embodied understanding. The In-Depth Talk-Through is 2 hours. Nancy Stark Smith did extra in-depth 3-hour Talk-Though, called Unpacking the Underscore.

A talk-through is done before, not during the Underscore practice, for a Full Score Practice. For Modified Score Jams, you can have a shorter talk-through and can have it during the practice.