Carol M. Press

Continuing Lecturer
cpress@theaterdance.ucsb.edu

Office Location: 

Theater Dance West, Room 2507

Education: 

Ed.D., Columbia University Teachers College, Interdisciplinary Studies in Education: Dance Education and Clinical Psychology

M.Ed., Columbia University Teachers College, Interdisciplinary Studies in Education: Dance Education and Clinical Psychology

M.A., University of California, Los Angeles, Dance/Choreography

Bio: 

Dr. Carol M. Press is a choreographer, performer, scholar, and teacher. All of her work emphasizes investigation across disciplines and integration of practice and theory. Her interdisciplinary book, The Dancing Self: Creativity, Modern Dance, Self Psychology and Transformative Education (Hampton Press, 2002), engages the relational dynamics between dance, creativity, dance history, aesthetics, psychology, pedagogy, and the vital exchanges between sense of self, community and culture. Currently, she and lighting designer Vickie J. Scott are co-authoring a textbook, Contemporary Dance Lighting: The Poetry and Nitty-Gritty (in progress) for student designers and choreographers. With Dr. Edward “Ted” Warburton, her co-edited book, Creating Dance: A Traveler’s Guide (Hampton Press, 2013) contains ten personal narratives “from dancers, choreographers, teachers, researchers, and administrators who have made a life in dance. By asking questions about why, how, and where people have and are still traveling in pursuit of creating dance, the book reveals the myriad routes and opportunities to remain engaged in the art form that they love.” Included is Dr. Press's chapter, “For the Love of a Question,” that highlights her passion for her artistry, research and teaching. Through her articles and presentations on creativity, dance, psychology and pedagogy, Dr. Press has shared her work nationally and internationally. Her dance-making provides the foundation for her scholarship, and frequently she presents them together at conferences. For example, at the Spoleto Festival in Italy she gave her presentation “The Enigma of Creativity in Art” and performed her solo Splinter of Hope as an illustration. Additionally, at the 47th International Psychoanalytical Association Congress in Mexico City, she delivered her paper, “Art, Creativity, and Psychoanalysis: Aesthetic Gesture in the Arts, Self-Experience and the Psychoanalytic Relationship,” and shared her choreography, Luminous. Dr. Press teaches dance history and
pedagogy at the University of California, Santa Barbara. She conducts workshops on creativity and movement for dancers, artists, teachers and psychologists. She served extensively as a Dance Artist-in-Residence for the Santa Barbara County Schools working with children, teachers and administrators. Additionally, she worked for the National Dance Education Organization as Content Area Coordinator to develop their research database in dance pedagogy. Through all of her activities, Dr. Press works to deepen exploration through interdisciplinary discovery and significant exchange between action and theory.

Publications: 

Selected Publications

Press, C.M. and Scott, V.J. (in progress). Contemporary Dance Lighting: The Poetry and Nitty Gritty

Hagman, George, & Press, Carol M. “Aesthetic Interaction.” Chapter in Creative Analysis: Art, Creativity and Clinical Process, author George Hagman. Routledge, 2015.

Press, C.M. and Warburton, E.C. (2013). Creating Dance: A Traveler’s Guide. Co-editors. Hampton Press. 

Press, Carol M. “For the Love of a Question.” Creating Dance: A Traveler’s Guide. Co-editors, C.M. Press and E.C. Warburton. New York: Hampton Press, February, 2013.

Press, Carol M. “Transformation and Continuance: The Memorable Afterimage of Beach (1976).”Transformation & Continuance: A Retrospective Celebration of American Choreographer Jennifer Muller, 1959-Present, Conference Catalogue. Editors N. Bennahum and C. Pilafian, UCSB, April, 2011.

Kindler, A., Kindler, R.C. and Press, C.M. (May/June, 2010). Psychoanalytic Inquiry: Forms of Creative Expression, 30: 3. Co-editors journal issue. Mahway, New Jersey: The Analytic Press.

Hagman, G. and Press, C.M. (May/June, 2010). “Between aesthetics, the coconstruction of empathy, and the clinical.” In A. Kindler, R.C. Kindler, and C.M.Press (eds.) Psychoanalytic Inquiry: Forms of Creative Expression, 30: 3. Mahway, New Jersey: The Analytic Press.

Press, C.M. (2009). “Self psychology and the modern dance choreographer.” In W. Coburn and N. VanderHeide (eds.) Self and Systems: Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences.

Press, C.M. and Warburton, E.C. (2007). “Creativity research in dance.” In L. Bresler (ed.) International Handbook of Arts Education, pp. 1273-1287. New York: Kluwer/Springer.

Press, C.M. (June/July, 2006). “Restoration of hope: The creation of a dance.” In G. Hagman (ed.) Psychoanalytic Inquiry, 26: 3, 407-420. Mahway, New Jersey: Analytic Press.

Press, C.M. (2005). “Psychoanalysis, creativity and hope: Forward edge strivings in the life and work of choreographer Paul Taylor.” In D.H. Ingram (ed.) Journal of the American Academy of Psychoanalysis and Dynamic Psychiatry, Vol. 33, No. 1, Spring, pp. 119-136. New York: Guildford Press.

Hagood, T.K. and Press, C.M. (2004). “Chapter 2: Unpublished documents: Theses, dissertations, and other unpublished materials,” pp. 13-28. In J.M. Bonbright and R. Faber (eds) Research Priorities for Dance Education: A Report to the Nation. Bethesda, Maryland: National Dance Education Organization.

Press, C.M. (2003). “Kunstlerische Vorwegnahme und optimale operative PerversitâtÏ (Artistic Anticipation and Optimal Operative Perversity).” Excerpt from The Dancing Self, pp. 118-128. Translated from English into German by Dr. Martin Gossmann. Zeitschrift Fur Tanztherapie (Journal for Dance Therapy). August. 

Press, C.M (2002). “Kreativitat, amodale wahrnehmung, das sinnliche und das exploratorisch-assertive motivationale System und der Modern Dance-Choreograf (Creativity, Amodal Perception, the Sensual and Exploratory/Assertive Motivational Systems, and the Modern Dance Choreographer).” Translated from English into German by Dr. Franz Herbert. Selbstpsychologie: Europaische Zeitschrift Fur Psychoanalytische Therapie Und Forschung (Self Psychology: European Journal for Psychoanalytic Therapy and Research) 10, no. 4 (2002): 515-532. Frankfurt, Germany: Brandes and Apsel.

Press, C.M. (2002). The Dance Self: Creativity, Modern Dance, Self Psychology, and Transformative Education. Cresskill, New Jersey: Hampton Press.

Selected Presentations

“Grit, Passion, Perseverance, Deliberate Practice and the Power of Dance Education.” Presented at the National Dance Education Organization Conference: La Jolla, CA, October 4-7, 2018. [Competitive Selection: Blind Review]

“Speaking Feet: Mutuality and Diversity at the 2015 Xarkis Community Festival in Cyprus.” Co-presented with Anastasia McCammon at the National Dance Education  Organization Conference: Arlington, VA, October 6-10, 2016. [Competitive Selection: Blind Review]

“Restoration of Hope: The Creation of a Dance.” Panelist on “Creativity and the Human Spirit: Trauma and the Healing Power of Art.” Presented theory and solo, Splinter of Hope, at the Spring Meeting of the Division of Psychoanalysis (39) of the American Psychological Association. Atlanta, GA: April 6-10, 2016. [Invited Presenter]

“Artistic Processes, Psychoanalytic Moments, The White Dress, Luminous & Pedagogy.” Presented at the National Dance Education Organization Conference: Phoenix, AZ, October 7-11, 2015. [Competitive Selection: Blind Review]

“Exploring Creativity: Artists and Analysts Connect through the Creative Process.” Workshop Leader, along with George Hagman, LCSW, and Karen Schwartz, Ph.D., for the 36th Annual International Conference on The Psychology of the Self. Chicago, IL: October 17-20, 2013. [Competitive Selection]

“Art, Creativity, and Psychoanalysis: Aesthetic Gesture in the Arts, A Program in Several Parts.” Panelist, presenting theory & performing solo, Splinter of Hope, along with George Hagman, LCSW, Karen Schwartz, Ph.D., Leslie Hogan, D.M., and Dave Shaddock, Ph.D., for the Spoleto Festival, Italy 2012. [Invited to Submit Proposal by Francesco Castellet y Ballara & Claudia Spadazzi, Spoleto committee members]

“Pre-conference Symposium on Creating Dance: A Traveler’s Guide.” Three-hour pre-conference symposium co-facilitated with Edward (Ted) Warburton, Ed.D. and contributing authors to co-edited  book Creating Dance: A Traveler’s Guide  at the National Dance Education Organization Conference: Los Angeles, CA, October 24-28, 2012. [Competitive Selection]

“Exploring Creativity: Artists and Analysts and the Creative Process.” Discussant at the 34th Annual International Conference on The Psychology of the Self. Los Angeles, CA: October 13-15, 2011. [Competitive Selection]

“Art, Creativity, and Psychoanalysis: Aesthetic Gesture in the Arts, Self-Experience and the Psychoanalytic Relationship.” Panelist, presenting theory & choreography, Luminous, along with George Hagman, LCSW, Julia Schwartz, M.D., Leslie Hogan, D.M., and Dave Shaddock, Ph.D., for the 47th International Psychoanalytical Association Congress. Mexico City: August 3-6, 2011. [Competitive Selection]

“Aesthetic Gesture in the Arts.” Panelist, presenting theory and choreography, Luminous, along with George Hagman, LCSW, Julia Schwartz, M.D., Leslie Hogan, D.M., and Dave Shaddock, Ph.D., for the American Association of Psychoanalysis in Clinical Social Work Conference. Marina Del Rey, CA: March 17-20, 2011. [Invited Presenter]

“What the Body Knows.” Member of workgroup facilitated by Teoma Naccarato (visit blog  www.whatthebodyknows.wordpress.com)  at Congress on Research in Dance/American Society for Theatre Research/Theatre Library Association, Conference: Seattle, WA, November 18-21, 2010. [Competitive Selection]

“Pre-conference Symposium on Research in Creativity and Creative Practice in Dance.” Three-hour pre-conference symposium co-facilitated with Edward (Ted) Warburton, Ed.D. and Simon Dove, B.A. at the National Dance Education Organization Conference: Tempe, AZ, October 20-24, 2010. [Competitive Selection]

“Art, Creativity, and Self  Psychology: Aesthetic Gesture in the Arts, Self Experience and Psychoanalysis.” Workshop conducted with co-leader George Hagman, LCSW, Guest Artists Julia Schwartz, M.D., Leslie Hogan, D.M., and Dave Shaddock, Ph.D., including performance of new choreography, Luminous, for the  32nd Annual International Conference on The Psychology of the Self. Chicago, IL: October 22-25, 2009. [Competitive Selection]

“In Memory of Marion Tolpin—Psychoanalysis, Creativity and Hope: Forward Edge Strivings in the Life and Work of Choreographer Paul Taylor.” Paper presented for the 32nd Annual International Conference on The Psychology of the Self: Chicago, IL: October 22-25, 2009. [Competitive Selection: Blind Review]