Author: krishna

Audio Description for Dance Workshops – Spring 2025

Post author By krishna
Post date February 22, 2025

image is described at the end of the post

This series of five online workshops covers a variety of topics related to audio description for dance, and are designed not only as professional development for audio describers, but also as essential education for blind and visually impaired audiences, choreographers, dancers, movement educators, and administrators for arts presenting organizations.

All workshops take place online via Zoom.

To register for any or all workshops, please write to info@darkroomballet.com as soon as possible to complete the registration process.

Saturday, April 12, 2025:
How to Hire and Collaborate with a Professional Audio Describer (NEW!)

This workshop is designed to help prepare choreographers and arts administrators to effectively collaborate with a professional audio describer, ideally to integrate the audio describer as a full member of the production team. Audio describers will learn about their rights as professionals, the role of blind audio description consultants will be discussed, and models will be shared demonstrating how true artistic excellence can be achieved when all parties involved in the audio description process understand their role and purpose.

Saturday, April 19, 2025:
Body Language, Movement Shorthand, and Mime for Blind Audiences

Although there are common cultural assumptions about popular body language and movement shorthand, it’s important to remember that they are all learned and not universally known! We’re going to break down some body language assumptions, find ways to integrate effective audio description, and explore the wonderfully hilarious world of mime and exaggerated body language.

Saturday, April 26, 2025:
Experimentation in Vocal Tonality for Audio Description for Dance

Most audio description used to support television and film is recorded with a neutral tone of voice. However, we here in the Dark Room propose that dance is a very different art form that deserves a different approach to audio description. Be ready to listen to some interesting examples of audio description, practice using the voice expressively, and pair sound and movement together in artistically effective ways.

Saturday, May 3, 2025:
Yeah, But Was It Good? Learning How to Listen to Audio Description for Dance Critically

Audio description for dance performances is still very rare, but that doesn’t mean that blind and visually impaired audiences should be satisfied when the audio description on offer is of low quality. Students are going to get to listen to many, many examples of audio description for dance, and talk about what works and what doesn’t work, and what we might change in order to improve it.

Saturday, May 10, 2025:
How to Watch Dance 2: an Audio Description Workshop for Audio Describers and Blind Audiences

The second of the Dark Room’s “watch party” workshops (How to Watch Dance 1 took place in November 2024), as a community, we will research an audio described dance performance video, set our expectations and make predictions, watch a full-length performance together, and then share our critique of the audio description and the performance. We had a blast back in November watching The View from Here by Zaccho Dance Theatre; come and hone your critical listening skills!

On a dark background sprinkled with small illustrated stars, people appear at the bottom with different body types, dressed in colorful casual clothing while they move and dance.

Contrasting white and cream-colored text above reads:

DARK ROOM BALLET WITH KRISHNA WASHBURN

Audio Description for Dance

A SERIES OF 5 VIRTUAL WORKSHOPS

SATURDAYS FROM APRIL 12 TO MAY 10, 2025

ON ZOOM FROM 4 PM TO 6 PM (EASTERN/NEW YORK TIME)

MORE INFO/REGISTER AT LINK

or visit DarkRoomBallet.com

Tags audio description, workshops, zoom

News / Announcements

No Diagram Anatomy Returns – February 2025

Post author By krishna
Post date January 20, 2025

Announcing a new series of three no diagram anatomy workshops open to all (with priority given to blind and visually impaired students), no prior experience required.

All workshops take place online via Zoom.

To register for any or all workshops, please write to info@darkroomballet.com as soon as possible to complete the registration process.

Saturday, February 8: The Dorsal Complex (Back Class)

This workshop will break down all of the anatomical structures of the back, including bones, connective tissue, and muscles, and analyze the full biomechanics of the dorsal complex, including how they move the arms and torso. One of the largest, most complex, and least understood regions of the human body demystified!

Saturday, February 15: The Somatosensory System (The Sense of Touch)

This workshop explains how the human sense of touch works, from the stimulation of the sensory nerve all the way to understanding and interpretation by the brain. Understand how to categorize and analyze the different types of touch sensation and how the nervous system receives them, and even try out some tactile illusions!

Saturday, February 22: The Pelvic Floor (The One We’ve All Been Waiting For!)

This workshop has a full breakdown of the skeletal and muscular structures that contribute to the pelvic floor and also the organs associated with this region of the human body. The pelvic floor has become a popular marketing topic for many pseudoscientific grifters looking to take advantage of dancers particularly — knowledge is power, and knowing the truth about this area of the body can keep you, your health, and your money much safer!

On a light blue background with some white areas, a continuous line drawing shows a person standing with their hands together.

Black text reads:

DARK ROOM BALLET WITH KRISHNA WASHBURN

NO DIAGRAM ANATOMY

3 classes online via Zoom

No experience necessary

Info/register:

darkroomballet.com

LINK IN BIO

Saturday, February 8: The Dorsal Complex

Saturday, February 15: The Somatosensory System

Saturday, February 22: The Pelvic Floor

Tags anatomy, workshops, zoom

News / Announcements

Audio Description for Dance Returns – November 2024

Post author By krishna
Post date September 16, 2024

Sponsored by Movement Research, all workshops take place online via Zoom, on Saturdays from 4 PM to 6 PM (Eastern/New York Time)

To register for any or all of these workshops, please write to info@darkroomballet.com as soon as possible to complete the registration process.

Saturday, November 16, 2024:
How to Watch Dance – an Audio Description Workshop for Audio Describers and Blind Audiences (New!)

This workshop guides the participants through the entire process of researching and preparing to watch a dance performance, using that research to watch an audio described dance performance in a critical way, and making a group assessment about 1) whether the expectations formed through our research about the performance itself were fulfilled, and 2) whether the audio description of the performance was effective, accurate, and served the purpose of the performance.

Saturday, November 23, 2024:
Narrative Components in Audio Description for Dance

One of the greatest challenges for audio describers of dance is balancing movement description with essential narrative components. While some dance companies provide narrative information about dance in a synopsis before the performance, we here in the Dark Room argue that the synopsis is inadequate to help blind and visually impaired audiences truly immerse themselves in the art. Learn how to connect story and movement through examples and creation.

Saturday, November 30, 2024:
Script Preparation Strategies for Audio Description for Dance – Multiple Pathways!

Where do audio description scripts come from? It depends! This workshop will discuss multiple approaches to getting started on an audio description script, depending on multiple factors: access to artists involved with the project, prior knowledge, type of audience, style of performance, timeframes, and so on and so forth. This is a great introduction to script writing for audio description novices, and a great opportunity for audio description fans to express themselves.

Tags audio description, workshops, zoom

News / Announcements

Dark Room Ballet Introductory Classes for Blind and Visually Impaired Adults — New Cycle Begins Saturday, September 14th!

Post author By krishna
Post date August 15, 2024
Sticky post

image is described at the end of the post where it appears

Beginning Saturday, September 14th from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM (New York Time)

NOTE: Sponsored by Movement Research, this class is designed specifically for the educational needs of blind and visually impaired adults.

About Saturday Introductory Level Class:

This is a FREE class!

This class is suitable for people with no prior knowledge of ballet. This repeating series of eight classes introduces students to the most common ballet vocabulary that they would need to know in order to participate in Open Level Dark Room Ballet Class. The class introduces students to necessary anatomical concepts like turnout, torso stability, foot sensitivity and mobility, sightless balancing, and the use of a taped floor for orientation.

Classes take place each Saturday online via the Zoom platform; there is also the option to call in via phone.

Dark Room Ballet classes and workshops are taught by Krishna Washburn, a blind dancer and dance teacher, and they prioritize the needs of blind and visually impaired students.

Note:

Please note that Dark Room Ballet Introductory Level Classes now operate as a scholarship program for new blind and low-vision students.

Learn more about the Dark Room Ballet Intro Level Scholarship Program

If you are a blind or visually impaired individual interested in learning ballet remotely, you MUST contact us by no later than September 11th, so you can complete the intake process to register for this class.

Register:

The next Intro Level cycle begins on Saturday, September 14th, 2024.

To register, email info@darkroomballet.com to begin the intake process.

You can also reach Dark Room Ballet by phone at (929) 367-0025

If you have some ballet experience, you may also qualify to join the ongoing Dark Room Ballet: Open Level Class on Monday nights; please contact us if you are interested.
Returning students are welcome to re-join intro level classes, as well as encouraged to join Dark Room Ballet: Open Level Class. Please let us know if you would like to re-join intro class as a returning student.
If you work with an organization that serves blind or visually impaired people, please share this information with people who may be interested in registering for this class.
If you are NOT a blind or visually impaired student, you may qualify to join the ongoing Dark Room Ballet: Open Level Class on Monday nights on a select basis; please get in touch with us to explain your interest.

Other Classes in the Dark Room

In addition to online Introductory and Open Level ballet classes for blind and visually impaired adults, Krishna often teaches workshops on related topics open to everyone, including anatomy, improvisation and audio description.

Learn more about past and upcoming online workshops: Dark Room Ballet Workshops

We look forward to hearing from you soon!

to hearing from you soon!

Top image as shared and described on social media:

A light lavender flyer with black text includes a black and white photo of a dancer wearing a tutu. With eyes closed and hair in a bun, the dancer stands with one leg en pointe, arms held above, with the other leg pointing upwards behind an arched back.

Text reads:
Dark Room Ballet with Krishna Washburn
Introductory Ballet for
Blind and Low-Vision Adults
NO PRIOR KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED

Starting
Saturday
Sept. 14th

8 classes
on Zoom

4 PM to 6 PM
(New York Time)

All Dark Room Ballet classes and workshops take place online via Zoom –
visit darkroomballet.com or LINK IN BIO for more info!

Tags 2024, ballet, classes, intro, zoom

News / Announcements

Teacher Training Begins Summer 2024!

Post author By krishna
Post date April 20, 2024
Sticky post

The Dark Room Presents: Teacher Training, Summer 2024 (Saturdays, July 6 through August 10)

This special all-virtual course for current and future movement educators continues our commitment to access, inclusion and disability justice for blind and visually impaired people.

Should I Apply to Register for Dark Room Teacher Training?

Candidates for this course should:

Be current or prospective movement educators in any movement practice, including but not limited to dance technique, dance improvisation, yoga, pilates, strengthening and conditioning, somatic practices, and choreography. This course prioritizes disabled applicants, especially blind and visually impaired people.

Be able to commit to six weeks of intensive study from July 6 to August 10, including homework assignments.
Have a strong commitment to making their own classes accessible to blind and visually impaired people.
Applicants do not need prior experience teaching blind or visually impaired people and they do not need any specific educational or professional background.

What Topics are Covered in Dark Room Teacher Training?

Fundamentals of the traditional blind dance techniques, including back body posture and using the taped floor as a mirror replacement.
Extensive practice in creating movement definitions and descriptions that de-center sight.
Theories of movement curriculum development that support the educational needs of blind and visually impaired people.
Extensive practice in self-audio description (moving and speaking simultaneously).
Approaches to answering student questions, and developing a reflection-based teaching practice.
Breaking down stereotypes about blind and visually impaired students, and the associated stereotypes of best practice for teaching blind and visually impaired students.

Yes, I Want to Apply! What Do I Do?

Step One: Send an email to info@darkroomballet.com with the subject line Teacher Training 2024.

Step Two: You will receive a Teacher Training application from info@darkroomballet.com; complete the entire application and submit it to info@darkroomballet.com by Thursday, June 28, 2024.

Step Three: Your application will include a choice of time slots for an interview conversation with Krishna; Krishna will notify you about your interview call, which can take place on the phone or over Zoom. The interview call will last about ten to fifteen minutes and will not only give Krishna a better idea of your work and interests, but also give you and opportunity to ask her questions about the course.

Step Four: Show up to the first class on Saturday, July 6, 2024!

Image description:

A promotional flyer shows a black and white image on the left side showing a dancer in white looking down while in motion, observed by a person standing behind.

On white and gray backgrounds, black text reads:

DARK ROOM BALLET WITH KRISHNA WASHBURN

The Dark Room Presents:

TEACHER TRAINING

SUMMER 2024

Saturdays, July 6

through August 10

This special all-virtual course for movement educators continues our commitment to access, inclusion and disability justice for blind and visually impaired people.

Candidates:

Current or prospective movement educators in any movement practice.

This course prioritizes disabled applicants, especially blind and visually impaired people.

Info & register at link

Tags audio description, classes, teacher training, workshops

News / Announcements

No Diagram Anatomy Returns for Spring 2024!

Post author By krishna
Post date April 20, 2024

Announcing a new series of three no-diagram anatomy workshops open to all (with priority given to blind and visually impaired students), no prior experience required.

Sponsored by Movement Research, all workshops take place online via Zoom.

To register for any or all workshops, please write to info@darkroomballet.com as soon as possible to complete the registration process.

Saturday, May 18, 2024:
The Maxillofacial Complex (Face and Jaw Class)

This highly detailed workshop is a complete analysis of the underlying structures, biomechanics, and muscular actions in the human face and jaw. In this workshop, we will use movement, touch, facial expressions, and conversations to not only cultivate scientific knowledge related to the maxillofacial complex, but also initiate a higher degree of body awareness and neurological learning pertaining to how and why our faces move the way that they do. Evolutionary history and the marvels of human variation will also be addressed in this workshop. No prior knowledge of human anatomy, dance, or self-audio description are required to participate, but all students will come away with deep anatomical knowledge, reduced movement anxiety, and tools to start learning how to talk about movement in a visceral way. Let’s get right down to the real nitty gritty!

Material covered in this workshop will include:

The underlying structures of the maxillofacial complex
The biomechanical processes of the face and jaw
The muscles associated with facial expressions
The muscles associated with mastication

All students will receive the complete script of the workshop two days beforehand, and the script can be reviewed either before or after the workshop.

This workshop is designed for the educational needs of blind and visually impaired people and does not use diagrams.

Saturday, May 25, 2024:
The Auditory System (How We Hear)

This highly detailed workshop is a complete analysis of the physical structures involved with hearing, as well as an overview of how the sensory neurons involved with hearing work and what sound actually is. In this workshop, we will use movement, touch, listening activities, and conversations to not only cultivate scientific knowledge related to the auditory system, but also initiate a higher degree of body awareness and neurological learning pertaining to how to listen in a truly active, informative way. Evolutionary history and the marvels of human variation will also be addressed in this workshop. No prior knowledge of human anatomy, dance, or self-audio description are required to participate, but all students will come away with deep anatomical knowledge, reduced movement anxiety, and tools to start learning how to talk about movement in a visceral way. Let’s get right down to the real nitty gritty!

Material covered in this workshop will include:

The physical structures of the auditory complex (bones, muscles, connective tissue)
How sensory neurons provide us information about sound
An understanding of what sound actually is
Strategies to develop metacognition around our listening skills

All students will receive the complete script of the workshop two days beforehand, and the script can be reviewed either before or after the workshop.

This workshop is designed for the educational needs of blind and visually impaired people and does not use diagrams.

Saturday, June 1, 2024:
The Genu-Femoral Complex (Knee and Thigh Class)

This highly detailed workshop is a complete analysis of the bones, muscles, connective tissues, biomechanics, and nerves of the knee and thigh. In this workshop, we will use movement, touch, and conversations to not only cultivate scientific knowledge related to the genu-femoral complex, but also initiate a higher degree of body awareness and neurological learning surrounding this extremely strong but extremely fragile region of the human body. This workshop will address injury prevention and injury recovery! Evolutionary history and the marvels of human variation will also be addressed in this workshop. No prior knowledge of human anatomy, dance, or self-audio description are required to participate, but all students will come away with deep anatomical knowledge, reduced movement anxiety, and tools to start learning how to talk about movement in a visceral way. Let’s get right down to the real nitty gritty!

Material covered in this workshop will include:

The bones of the genu-femoral complex
The muscles and biomechanical functions of the genu-femoral complex
The connective tissues of the genu-femoral complex
The nerve and nerve complexes of the genu-femoral complex
Ways of reducing injury risk and addressing injuries compassionately

All students will receive the complete script of the workshop two days beforehand, and the script can be reviewed either before or after the workshop.

This workshop is designed for the educational needs of blind and visually impaired people and does not use diagrams.

Image description:

A promotional graphic for the upcoming “No Diagram Anatomy” cycle is divided into six colorful sections, each featuring a simplified illustration of a part of the human skeletal system (not specific to the classes themselves):
In the top left yellow square is a green pelvis
In the top center blue square is a yellow skull 
In the top right yellow skull, a pink ribcage
The bottom left blue square shows a red elbow joint
The bottom center red square shows part of a yellow vertebra
The bottom right green square shows part of a yellow femur bone

In front of the image, a white rectangle with black text reads:
No Diagram Anatomy
Dark Room Ballet with Krishna Washburn
Spring 2024

Tags anatomy, news, workshops, zoom

News / Announcements

Dark Room Ballet Introductory Classes for Blind and Visually Impaired Adults — New Cycle Begins Saturday, March 9th!

Post author By krishna
Post date January 25, 2024
Sticky post

Beginning Saturday, March 9th from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM (New York Time)

Watch/listen to Krishna’s message on YouTube (open captions, transcript available)

NOTE: Sponsored by Movement Research, this class is designed specifically for the educational needs of blind and visually impaired adults.

About Saturday Introductory Level Class:

Dark Room Ballet classes and workshops are taught by Krishna Washburn, a blind dancer and dance teacher, and they prioritize the needs of blind and visually impaired students.