Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Reimagining Sergei Prokofiev's Trapeze
Performance 2025 Graduate ExhibitionPresentation by Mandi Bearjar
Copresented by Dante Tramontin de Paula and Mandi Bearjar
Exhibition Number 404
Abstract
Sergei Prokofiev’s Trapèze ballet had a brief début, but due to its difficulty, low budget, and limited instrumentation, the production of this work was halted. The non-traditional instrumentation has contributed to the rarity of its performance and an even higher rarity to its production as a ballet. With this work's history of rare performances, an opportunity for an interdisciplinary collaboration emerged. Both disciplines needed to refine their portion of the collaboration in order to ensure a cohesive progression with the dancers. For example, the musicians recorded chosen tempi and style choices for the dancers as a rehearsal tool to choreograph the music. It was also essential that the musicians rehearsed with very specific tempi markings and consistent musical choices to allow predictability for the dancers. The third movement particularly demonstrated collaborative qualities, having two published versions – a version in a simple meter for ease of collaboration and a version in mixed meter for ease of instrumental performance. With the consideration of time constraints and personnel availability, three out of the six movements in this work contain interdisciplinary collaboration. The main challenges throughout this collaboration were establishing the use of virtual communication, organizing effective rehearsals for consistency in performance, and planning of the production’s logistics, such as performance space and personnel.
Importance
The arts span a wide range of disciplines, each demonstrating its own areas of skill and expertise. However, often overlooked are the areas where these fields overlap which could encourage interdisciplinary collaboration. After recognizing the collaborative qualities of Sergei Prokofiev’s Trapéze ballet, our quintet began developing a production that would combine the individual skill sets of dance and music. Through this production, different perspectives of dance and music are presented to the audience, both aurally and visually. In this reimagined production of Trapéze, the instrumental quintet combined with the ballet sets precedent to further collaborations across the arts by encouraging creative thinking and increasing interest in how these disciplines can unite.