Options for Participation

The Global Underscore (GUS) is organized for people who are interested in the Underscore and Contact Improvisation, and who want to connect globally through this practice. There are 6 possible options for participation in GUS one can choose, from full involvement to the least involvement.

Please read the descriptions below to determine which of the 6 Options for Participation best suits you (or your community). Make sure you indicate which option you are doing when you register your site.

A. Full Score Practice 

• One or more people interested in the ideas/perceptions/principles of the Underscore and Contact Improvisation.
• Dancing for full 4 hours.
• Dancing at 4-hour designated time.
• Everyone has had at least a 30-minute Talk-through (45–60 minute is preferable), and it is done before the 4-hour Underscore Practice.
• Full Score Practices participate in the FACINGS (see below).

A1. Non-Synchronous Full Score Practice

• Full Score Practice above, but not during the designated 4-hour time.
• Non-Synchronous Full Score Practices do not participate in the FACINGS (see below).

B. Modified Score-Jam (MSJ)

• MSJ have more of a jam format but is influenced by the Underscore.
• For example, MSJ will do the two Small Dances and might do a Final Resolution, take some time for personal reflection, and have a circle of sharing at the end.
• Dancing for full 4 hours.
• Dancing at 4-hour designated time.
• Maybe not everyone has had Talk-through.
• Talk-through may be during Assembly.
• Modified Score-Jams participate in the FACINGS (see below).

B1. Non-Synchronous Modified Score-Jam

• Modified Score-Jam above, but not during the 4-hour designated time and/or not 4 hours long.
• Non-Synchronous Modified Score-Jams do not participate in the FACINGS (see below).

C. Satellite 

• One or more people who are joining the Underscore practice for a short time during the 4 designated hours.
• You might join the two Small Dances, and in some way "tune-in" to sense the dancing and give your support. 
• Satellites do not participate in the FACINGS (see below).

C1. Non-Synchronous Satellite 

• One or more people who are joining the Underscore practice for a short time, but not during the 4 designated hours.
• You might join the two Small Dances, and in some way "tune-in" to sense the dancing and give your support. 
• Non-Synchronous Satellites do not participate in the FACINGS (see below).

NOTE: If you are participating in a non-synchronous site, still make sure you are participating within 24 hours of the beginning of the Underscore practice.

Talk-Throughs

We encourage facilitators to offer a "talk-through" of the Global Underscore practice. The Underscore is generally not led with verbal cues. The idea is that people “know” it already and are coming together to share the practice. At the talk-through, newcomers are introduced to, and experienced Underscorers are refreshed with, the 20+ phases, 12+ connections, 7 aspects, and the glyphs of the Underscore. For a Full Score Practice, a talk-through should be at least 30 minutes in length (45-60 minutes is preferable) and be done before, not during, the Underscore practice.

FACINGS

The FACINGS are a way to create a continuous spiraling line of connection around the globe, spiraling it 6 times.

Full Score Practices and 4-hour Modified Score-Jams, which are both synchronous (during the 4-hour designated time), will be part of the spiral of Small Dance FACINGS around the Globe. The other options for participation are not part of the FACINGS. People doing these options can decide to face any 2 sites of their choosing during the Small Dance FACINGS.

The Small Dance FACINGS consist of the two small dances, one near the beginning and one at the end of the GUS practice. The Small Dance near the beginning faces another GUS site to your East. The Small Dance at the end faces a GUS site to your West. 
The 1st FACING begins at the most northern site (Moscow) and then spirals to the East 6 times around the world ending in Australia. So then, to connect Australia with Moscow, that last FACING goes ¾ around the world in a diagonal line. For the 2nd FACING, to the West, the spiral goes in the opposite direction.