Christopher

Bruce
Movement &
Choreographic Style
Movement
Contemporary dancer and choreographer
Choreography is often lyrical and fluid in its use of energy
flow due to the influence of Classical Ballet.
Martha Graham technique is seen in such aspects as
contracted torso movements, flexed feet, a sense of weight,
interest in floor work, motif development and the use of
serious themes.
Bruce is trained in Tap, Folk, Ballet, Acrobatics,
Contemporary and Jazz (Acrobatics clear in Ghost Dances
and Tap clear in Swan Song).
Body work is typically open chested and Balletic. Peripheral
gestures and recognisable Ballet actions are used with a
free-flowing graceful sense of energy
He uses contraction in the body to highlight emotion;
actions which flow out from the centre; a weighty torso, with
floor work and flexed feet.
Bruce is very neat with his footwork by the influence of his
ballet background and uses intricate travelling patterns
which is something Graham wouldnt have done.

Choreographic

 Bruce uses a wide range of starting points to create a

dance, for example he uses: poetry, literature, music,
newspaper articles and world events.
His choreographies tend to be associated with Social &
Political themes.
A Bruce dance takes around 3 to 4 weeks plus 3-4 days to
put it on stage and light it. Its around one month from start
to finish.
I try to find a style and movement vocabulary which is
particular individual work and this will be in my mind when I
begin working with the dancers. However, I never make the
movement until I am in the studio; it evolves as the
structure comes together. Nothing is predetermined but
relies on the collaboration with the artists I am working
with.