Educational Media Reviews Online

Capturing Grace documents the collaboration between the renowned Mark Morris Dance Group and participants from the Brooklyn Parkinson Group. Former Mark Morris Dance Group members David Leventhal and John Heginbotham lead the participants in classes which culminated in the dancers’ 2012 performance. In addition to footage of the rehearsal process, the film includes interviews with Mark Morris Dance Group staff involved in the project. The film also includes participants describing being diagnosed with Parkinson’s, as well as the joy and challenges they face as people with Parkinson’s Disease who are learning to dance for the first time ever.

One of the assets of the film is that it shows both an artist, Mark Morris, at work, and a project which is a reflection of the artist that extends beyond the impact of a single choreographic work. For example, when the film shows Mark Morris saying that, “No one is treating them [the dancers] like old babies,” and then giving straightforward corrections to the dancers, it becomes clear that Dance for PD® is emblematic of Morris as an artist who humanizes American modern dance.

The film is accessible, but at only 60 minutes, its brevity may be a drawback for those looking for more in-depth research. In fact, at the time of the film’s production, Dance for PD® already had over a decade of history that would be of interest for those seeking knowledge on developing similar programs. Despite this limitation, Capturing Grace would be useful for public libraries and academic libraries that support programs in health sciences, physical education, dance and dance therapy.