According to David Grenke
Founder and Artistic Director
Stoopid acknowledges the imperative role of intuitive, uncomplicated, immediate action as part of a holistic evolution within the context of creative action. The progression of the cognitive process- “Here’s a dumb question…”
Given the complexity of our times it is important as well to distinguish the nature of stoopidity and the application of conceptual thought or impulse to actionable result. It is as well important to delineate between stoopid as a generative act of creative momentum rather than judgement of intentional premeditated action or malice.
Stoopid also embodies an inherent quality of self-effacing subservience to a higher imperative which chooses to exercise the highest order- the act of thought unquestioned, unedited as the most fundamental of purposes.
There is the most knowledgeable practice through the simple act of beginning. This instinct lies at the heart of every creative action and counter to the belief of objective or intention first. This does not rule out the possibility that creative thought and idea may be developed into actionable forms or constructions. But the importance of the space for creatively exercising a practice of thinking in abstraction and question is inseparable from action. In essence the service of thinking and aspirational thought, which is usually embedded in the earnestness of self-supplication for concepts not yet understood or recognized by the individual.
Stoopid acknowledges the correlation between the things of creative thought and the relation to environments, events and accumulations (of, thought, history, experiences- but also the catalytic singular moment that ignites this accumulation into the tangible thought) It is the Stoopid before this catalytic that Stoopid celebrates.
Stoopid is an act of acknowledging.
Given the complexity of our times it is important as well to distinguish the nature of stoopidity and the application of conceptual thought or impulse to actionable result. It is as well important to delineate between stoopid as a generative act of creative momentum rather than judgement of intentional premeditated action or malice.
Stoopid also embodies an inherent quality of self-effacing subservience to a higher imperative which chooses to exercise the highest order- the act of thought unquestioned, unedited as the most fundamental of purposes.
There is the most knowledgeable practice through the simple act of beginning. This instinct lies at the heart of every creative action and counter to the belief of objective or intention first. This does not rule out the possibility that creative thought and idea may be developed into actionable forms or constructions. But the importance of the space for creatively exercising a practice of thinking in abstraction and question is inseparable from action. In essence the service of thinking and aspirational thought, which is usually embedded in the earnestness of self-supplication for concepts not yet understood or recognized by the individual.
Stoopid acknowledges the correlation between the things of creative thought and the relation to environments, events and accumulations (of, thought, history, experiences- but also the catalytic singular moment that ignites this accumulation into the tangible thought) It is the Stoopid before this catalytic that Stoopid celebrates.
Stoopid is an act of acknowledging.
According to Audrey Martel
Company Member
Stoopid Dance is three goofballs in a room making bad jokes to each other that no one may ever see or hear again.
I mean, that’s what it felt like.
Like we were rigorously finding relief in absurdity or maybe even futility.
The name “Stoopid dance” recognizes that.
Like one big joke, the funny part being that despite the circumstances (covid pandemic) and uncertainty of dance as a whole, we practice in the studio with an utmost dedication, an unconditional drive to dance, or to simply be in the room together. To practice as a natural extension of everyday life; which, in turn embedded the practice in an interdisciplinary format.
In the choreographic process we drew, usually subconsciously, from our daily experiences and stitched together fragments of collected images, interactions, explorations, and mistakes. Odd yet honest movements or mix-ups often became a focus or source to draw from.
Our residency at the Grenke Farm in October, 2020 helped to solidify this model. Living and working together for a month with an initial quarantine provided what seemed like an unlimited source of inspiration. A cold studio built by our own hands, sudden rainstorms, a twisted ankle, home cooked meals, a tetanus shot, and Joe Walsh’s “Life’s Been Good” on the radio twice a day.
I mean, that’s what it felt like.
Like we were rigorously finding relief in absurdity or maybe even futility.
The name “Stoopid dance” recognizes that.
Like one big joke, the funny part being that despite the circumstances (covid pandemic) and uncertainty of dance as a whole, we practice in the studio with an utmost dedication, an unconditional drive to dance, or to simply be in the room together. To practice as a natural extension of everyday life; which, in turn embedded the practice in an interdisciplinary format.
In the choreographic process we drew, usually subconsciously, from our daily experiences and stitched together fragments of collected images, interactions, explorations, and mistakes. Odd yet honest movements or mix-ups often became a focus or source to draw from.
Our residency at the Grenke Farm in October, 2020 helped to solidify this model. Living and working together for a month with an initial quarantine provided what seemed like an unlimited source of inspiration. A cold studio built by our own hands, sudden rainstorms, a twisted ankle, home cooked meals, a tetanus shot, and Joe Walsh’s “Life’s Been Good” on the radio twice a day.
According to Stephanie Nielsen
Company Member
Stoopid Dance Company is a safe space for creative relationships, connection, and thought.
Stoopid Dance acknowledges the nature of most dance companies, and questions the process of creating within a company structure. It invites all ideas and creative thought without judgement, but rather a lighthearted yearning to learn. “Stupidity” is not a concept with a negative connotation in this context. Rather, “stupidity” is a catalyst for growth and exploration. “Stupid” ideas are transformed to make seemingly impossible movement possible through examination of the body’s most efficient route of energy. Stoopid itself is intentional and embracing.
It is a community, or rather a family, connected by a need to create and to move.
The safe space that is created within stoopid dance company is monumental in a couple of ways, the first being that all ideas are welcomed and genuinely considered, regardless of how dumb they may seem. Stoopid recognizes that all creative thought has merit even if the thought seems unrelated, or completely absurd.
The second being that I can be myself (a feeling I can only assume is shared between all of us); I can be weird, strange, goofy, and still feel that I’m accepted within the company.
While there is a humorous air about being a stoopid dancer, we maintain a strict regimen and seriousness about the work being done in the studio every day. Working through difficult circumstances, like that of the Covid-19 pandemic, with tongue-in-cheek humor has provided a space for cathartic, creative thought. Isolation has become an impetus to create, and a prompt to create upon.
The most important aspect of Stoopid Dance is the distinction of what our product is: the product is not the company, the product is the work.
Stoopid Dance acknowledges the nature of most dance companies, and questions the process of creating within a company structure. It invites all ideas and creative thought without judgement, but rather a lighthearted yearning to learn. “Stupidity” is not a concept with a negative connotation in this context. Rather, “stupidity” is a catalyst for growth and exploration. “Stupid” ideas are transformed to make seemingly impossible movement possible through examination of the body’s most efficient route of energy. Stoopid itself is intentional and embracing.
It is a community, or rather a family, connected by a need to create and to move.
The safe space that is created within stoopid dance company is monumental in a couple of ways, the first being that all ideas are welcomed and genuinely considered, regardless of how dumb they may seem. Stoopid recognizes that all creative thought has merit even if the thought seems unrelated, or completely absurd.
The second being that I can be myself (a feeling I can only assume is shared between all of us); I can be weird, strange, goofy, and still feel that I’m accepted within the company.
While there is a humorous air about being a stoopid dancer, we maintain a strict regimen and seriousness about the work being done in the studio every day. Working through difficult circumstances, like that of the Covid-19 pandemic, with tongue-in-cheek humor has provided a space for cathartic, creative thought. Isolation has become an impetus to create, and a prompt to create upon.
The most important aspect of Stoopid Dance is the distinction of what our product is: the product is not the company, the product is the work.