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May 15-21, 2013

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Capturing stories in words and motions

By Marcia Z. Siegal



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Seven women gathered on the hardwood floor of a dance studio in July for the first session of The Keepers Project.  Among them:  a longtime dance enthusiast; a woman recovering from major eye surgery; and a writer who, at 61, was the youngest in the group.

Dance teacher Anne-Marie Mulgrew assured participants that no particular skill or physical ability was needed. “We’re here to connect and share,” Mulgrew said.

Through the workshops, which run monthly until March 2013, participants share personal stories and family history — and learn to tell these stories through creative movement.  “The dance is just one part of it,” she explained. “It’s really living theater.”

Mulgrew said she was inspired to create the project after attending a creative arts and aging conference last year.



“Being one of the 'Boomer’ generation, I  felt even more compelled to raise awareness of the need to explore one’s creative potential, regardless of age, and to recognize the living history that resides in us,” she said.

She is the founder and director of the Anne-Marie Mulgrew and Dancers Company, an experimental modern dance company, now in its 12th year, which offers performances, classes, and public education programs.

Mulgrew has taught dance/movement workshops for seniors at nursing homes and at senior centers, and says she has always been drawn to hearing life stories told by older family members and others. Through this project, she combines the two, providing an avenue of expression for the rich life experiences of seniors.

The free workshops comprise guided movement and theater exercises and are held at the University City Arts League in West Philadelphia, partner for the project. Participants will keep a journal chronicling their workshop experiences and to aid with story development.

For attendee Marlene Jones, a retired chemist and experienced dancer, The Keepers Project offers “a way to tell my story and have it be something I can pull from for my family.  Dance is something I have always loved,” she said.

Mulgrew warmed up participants by having them do a variety of movements, including head rolls —  forward and back, and side to side;  passing a pillow around a circle — first slowly, then quickly; and  doing arm and leg circles — tight, then wide.

“When we think about dance, we think about energy,” she coached them. “... We think about time. Are our movements slow or quick? …We think about space and how to use that space. Are we running all over or running in place? How are we using our body? Are we upright or crouched? Are our movements choppy or smooth? Every movement can have an emotion and help tell a story.”

During the session, participants were divided into two groups, each charged with creating and performing a short series of movements.  Each group reacted to the other’s performance.

“I liked how everybody worked together. The movements were reciprocal,” said one observer of the first group.

“I saw opposition,” another said.

“Not as much opposition as counterpoint,” clarified one of the performers.

The second group then performed a series of movements, circling around one member who was seated in the center. Now the other group reacted.

“I saw beauty," said one observer.

“I saw undulations… waves and currents,” another noted.

“I love it!” said a third observer. “This is terrific!”


The Keepers Project is funded by a Leeway Foundation Art and Change Grant. For more information or to enroll inThe Keepers Project, call 215-462-7720 or email ammdco2000@att.net.

Photo by Raymond Holman: A Keepers Project participant using movement to express an idea.