Cognitive Ecologies of Presence(S) in Three Different Dance Forms

Abstract Presence is a central yet controversial topic in the study of performing arts and theatrical traditions, where notion ‘stage presence’ generally understood as performer’s ability to enchant audience’s attention. How do dancers relate idea presence performance, how they understand, enact, perform their artistic work practices? In this article I offer an investigation into presence’s variations three different dance practices choreographic contexts: case Ballet National de Marseille during staging Emio Greco’s piece Passione ; Contact Improvisation independent groups contacters Italy Australia; Body Weather, radical movement ideology developed by Japanese choreographer Min Tanaka context company Tess Quincey Co. Sydney. To illustrate emerges relation complex dynamic environment, propose cognitive ecological approach presence’, which considers both co-presence audiences performers socio-cultural performance event. By exploring articulate lived experiences contexts suggest framing phenomena embodied sense.