TEXT:  
  DANCE w. ME
  DANCE w. ME
  Sword Prince Game  
  by Maria Mison
  DANCE w. ME
  Baila #16 09 2020: 
  Dance Adventure
  
   
  DANCE w. ME
  Sword Prince Game  
  by Maria Mison
  DANCE w. ME
  Design is based on the No Dice, No Masters system created by 
  Avery Alder and Benjamin Rosenbaum. Special thanks also to Luke 
  Jordan.  
  For Myself, because I’m tired of dancing by myself during 
  quarantine. But also to all the live performance artists, I miss you 
  so much.  
  — 
  Dreamt of Sept ~16 2020,  New Moon in Virgo 
  Twitter: @mariamison 
  itch: mariabumby.itch.io 
  www.patreon.com/mariamison 
  Submission to GM-less storytelling Jam by Marc Strocks 
  Writing, game design, layout by Maria Mison 
  Fonts: Averia Serif All photos from unsplash 
  LICENSE: ATTRIBUTION SHAREALIKE 4.0 INTERNATIONAL (CC 
  BY-SA 4.0). 
  IF YOU LIKE THIS, pls share, tip & subscribe to my patreon to 
  support fun, creative, collaborative wild games. Also, let me know 
  how your game went.   
  Dedicated to Jeffrey White, Bradley Gardner, Jim B., Kazumi Chin, 
  Wednesday Sophia,Rachelle Dube, Jay Dragon, Aire Gillespie, Arya 
  Burke Jammi and all my damn awesome patrons who made me 
  writing and making possible. I can’t thank you all enough.  
  This game is undergoing play testing! Thank you for your support.  
  Acknowledgement & Credits
  Quick Look : 2-4 players.  
  Session number flexible. 3-4 hours each. 
  CW: romance, sexuality & sensuality, relationships, healing from 
  trauma, relationship to art and dance, body  
  
   
  CATS
  CONCEPT 
  Colorful dancers from various backgrounds and styles collide in a 
  world where their dancing together and apart help resolve their 
  artistic and personal tribulations. Media references for players to 
  refer to can be: Step Up, Dirty Dancing, Shall We Dance, Footloose 
  even shows like So You Think You Can Dance & World of Dance 
  mashed w/ slice of life drama shenanigans. 
  AIM 
  Players assume characters(PC) inspired from different dance genres to 
  play out narrative tension and resolution that they can only find 
  when dancing with each other. Explore the inner lives of voguers, 
  breakdancers, tango, ballet, contemporary, burlesque, salsa, 
  indigenous, hip hop dancers as they figure out their lives. Dance Sim.  
  TONE 
  Dance Sim. Dramatic light hearted tone that prizes on vulnerability, 
  healing and opening up as narrative tension. 
  SUBJECT MATTER 
  This game depicts physical intimacy through partner dance, w/ some 
  playbooks stemming from dance genres that were born from 
  marginalization.  
  Eg. Vogue is a queer black and brown underground culture and the 
  premise of the playbook is accepting new found family after being left 
  by one. The tone of the game encourages an after-the-war feeling from 
  PCs & not a recycling of systemic suffering for dramatic effect. The 
  players can be haunted but their oppression need not be relived.  
  If players consent, there may be themes of romance/sexual tension 
  between player-controlled characters, and/or player and non-player-
  characters.(NPCs)  
  SAFETY TOOLS 
  This game encourages the use of Lines and Veils to facilitate an initial 
  baseline for player safety. Players are absolutely encouraged to add 
  more topics to the list for their own safety. This session will also use 
  the N-Card, X-Card and Script Change as necessary to adjust the 
  game while it’s in progress to maintain player safety. Finally, Open 
  Door is always in effect and players may leave at any time for any 
  length of time at any reason. 
  ++ 
  
   HOW TO PLAY
  (1) IDLE DREAMING 
  Make a wishlist that genuinely excites yall as a table to see play out. 
  Pick playbooks that call out to you. See their move list — “hard” and 
  “easy” moves to see what these characters are good at doing and what 
  they’re still struggling with but are trying to move towards. Easy 
  moves help you earn tokens and make complications while hard 
  moves are things you spend tokens on and typically advances your 
  character’s arc.  
  Pick looks and dance moves and teams if applicable, have fun! Grab 
  photos from Pinterest board or jam to the playlists. 
  Then, introduce characters w/ pronouns and then establish bonds w/ 
  other players. In establishing bonds feel free to flesh out history and 
  details as you reference to the settings sheet w/ possible NPC lists or 
  make your own!  
  (2) SETTINGS 
  Many dance styles are born in the context from which they are made. 
  Vogue has their balls and Tango has their Milongas as Breakdancers 
  have their rowdy on the street cyphers.  
  To help imbibe and enable players to portray these dance scenes 
  faithfully, DANCE SETTINGS are specific setting mini-games that 
  walk you through things like “how to walk a ball” or “how to embrace 
  someone in a proper closed hold”. These also have element lists and 
  NPCs to help you flesh out what else happens in these places.  
  You are also free to make stuff up based on dance AUs you’ve read 
  and what you’ve seen in television, it’s fine.  
  However dancers don’t only dance, and they can have meaningful 
  character development in a coffeeshop or the place they work in. 
  OTHER SETTINGS is a list to help round out your play in between 
  mini-games. Alternating between dance settings to a few “just” 
  settings is a good way to pace your episodic play however feel free to 
  modify this as you wish. 
  (3) BLOCKING & BODY STATES 
  Since this is a dance game, the text encourages you to think of the 
  positioning or blocking of your characters when you start any scene. 
  Start in media-res or at the height of the emotional action or tension 
  and ASK: how is my body in relation to others? 
  For ideas consider: in contact 
  physically boxed in with someone I’m avoiding, arms slung across 
  shoulders awkwardly or against my will, hand clasping other PC’s 
  jacket noticeably or imperceptibly, hand on top of shoulder, hand on 
  upper back, hand pulling a wrist, head pat, hands playing w other 
  PC’s hands, arm wrestling, lying down on the floor shoulder to 
  shoulder, dogpiled on top of one another, very helpful stretching 
  For ideas consider: the space in between 
  In front of each other too close for comfort, side to side and you feel 
  the air in between, right behind them conscious, back to back reliable, 
  stupidly far apart but w/ eye contact that could cut, close but 
  unreachable and cold, hands folded into body giving nothing, 
  someone positioned on a higher level like a seat or platform looking 
  down, backs against wall in a narrow hallway, sitting on the floor 
  familiar, sitting on the gutter  
  Other than a physical position, PCs can choose to be a physically 
  vulnerable in entering the scene in. Vulnerable body states cost 1 
  token to be in but enable all other PCs to enact hard moves without 
  spending any tokens. A PC is soft and struggling and it inspires other 
  PCs to do difficult things.  
  VULNERABLE BODY STATES 
  Calf injury, shoulder injury, drunk like bags on shoulders, very drunk 
  like the world is turning over, hangover like a vice grip, running on 
  empty feeling like a weightless shell, just cried over something 
  swollen eyelids, remembered something you wanted to forget a snake 
  in your stomach, sudden nerves like a mad hornet’s nest living in your 
  guts, ants crawling almost full bodied cramps, crippling 
  dysmenorrhea, saw something you wish you didn’t a black thing 
  stealing your chest, too wired like you can fly too much coffee brain 
  like slop, overwhelmed and heart dropping to your feet, unbelievably 
  horny sweating buckets, create your own 
  
   DANCE SETTINGS
  Oh but Shall We Dance? 
  TIPS: 
  — you can research binge watch styles of dance and locations but the 
  game has enough to inspire your scenes. The parenthesis indicate 
  which playbook is more native to these places but it doesn’t mean 
  they’re the only ones there! Think of them being the ones more 
  probably to be in an advantageous position, as someone more 
  comfortable, knowledgeable or even a judge.  
  This is a good place to check back on your design palette to see what 
  situations and settings you’d like your PCs to go through. What kind 
  of shows you would like them to do.  
  LOCATIONS/EVENTS 
  >>SWEET VALENTINE BALL (VOGUE) 
  —- the theme is candy and romance, audience members decked out in 
  bubblegum, cotton candy outfits, their is booze available, queerness is 
  celebrated, RUNWAY, FACE, HANDS PERFORMANCE are categories 
  where dancers battle for who has the best walk, most luminous face, 
  and elaborate hands. Who’s the virgin vogue walker? Who’s invited as a 
  guest performer? Who forge a special bond over drinks? 
  MINI GAME — YOU BETTER WALK BITCH 
  - 2-3 players 
  - Each describe their candy themed outfits and makeup. Think, 
  re Paul’s drag race, America’s next top model and pose rolled 
  into one.  
  - Describe how you glare at your competitors 
  - The announcer says you’re SERVING ______? In a loud voice 
  - PCs who are not playing the mini-game rate you from 1-10 to 
  decide who wins with their powerful walk 
  >>OPENING THE BEST BAR IN TOWN: KONDWI 
  (BURLESQUE, SOCIAL DANCES, TANGO, ..) 
  —- the latest art gallery cum fancy bar in the heart of the city. The 
  owners have an elaborate opening shebang w/ hoop artists, DJs for 
  sensual social dancing and demonstration w/ and/or free classes from 
  the best of the best instructors in town. What’s the night like? Who 
  likes the free class more than they expected, who was dragged to this 
  opening? The DJ is your mutual friend and gives who a generous 
  introduction to who? Does the show/art inspire anyone’s projects? 
  >>THE GET DOWN  (BREAK, HIPHOP) 
  —- underground, pipes, audience members jostling to cheer for their 
  favorite ALL STYLES battlers. It’s a unique and historic event 
  because we don’t only have guest JUDGES outside of street dance, 
  but crazy challenges and invitational competitors! Can we bring the 
  place down??! Who’s the surprise judge? What’s your showcases like? 
  Invitational competitors, who are you dedicating your battles for? Who 
  do you go with in the after-party? Who wins? Who comforts the losers? 
  MINI GAME — DJ PRAY FOR ME 
  - 2-3 players 
  - IT’S A HEATED ALL STYLES BATTLE, you’re almost head to 
  head on a 2-way/3-way throw down. Write down 3 music styles 
  your PC is familiar with on an index card and don’t show the table. 
  - 1. Disco (waack)  2. Vogue 3. Breaking Beats 4. Latin house 5. I 
  don’t know what it is but it has the tango strings 6. Pop Music 7. 
  Island Dancehall Reggaeton 8. Beyonce 9. Broadway Jazz 10. Tribal 
  House 11 Popping 12 Old school Hiphop  
  - Have a non battler player act as DJ and pick a song to drop for 
  the round. 
  - Reveal to the table wether you know the music genre or not, 
  describe your dancing. 
  - Have all non battler players simultaneously point at who wins 
  the round. Repeat in case of a tie.  
  - Describe who gets to win and then describe the after party 
  
   DANCE SETTINGS
  Oh but Shall We Dance? 
  >>THE LAB NUCLEUS (CONTEMPORARY, EX-
  BALLET, TRADITIONAL) 
  —- an intercultural collaborative exchange, the movement artists are 
  tasked by a curator to device a piece/project about relationships. They 
  might live in a scenic location for a span of a month. Who’s the 
  curator’s favorite? Who’ is more interested w/ exploring the local sites? 
  Who argues w/ ea other the most? Who unexpectedly works well? What’s 
  the final show like? What is leaving each other like? 
  MINI GAME — TENSE REHEARSALS 
  - 2-3 players 
  - One PC or a grp describe their performance e on relationships. (eg: 
  they are dancing fighting over a jacket, a haunting piece of repeatedly 
  using a measuring tape to measure your partner and your 
  expectations, a multi-media collab about a history of you and a place 
  of forgetting, treatise to camgirls and long distance relationships. 
  Literally anything, think post modern theater but also just think of it 
  as an extension of your character’s beliefs, make your own)  
  - A moment disturbs all the other PCs watching 
  - Who is unexpectedly affected? Why? 
  - Who begs you to change your piece, why? (optional)  
  - How does this change the meaning of the piece for the performers? 
  How do they talk about it? Do they change it?  
  >>ARTS WEEK in PERFORMING ARTS SCHOOL 
  (CONTEMPORARY, EX-BALLET, TRADITIONAL) 
  —- so many shows to prepare for! So many guest performers 
  instructors and events happening in a span of a few days. How much 
  could change in a few days? Who’s pitching a unorthodox show? Which 
  scene darling is offering a rare class? Who’s stuck w/ each other in the 
  cafeteria? Who pisses off the teachers?
  - OTHERS 
  —“Our Performing Arts College is staging a dance theater piece 
  Romeo and Juliet” 
  —“We all joined So You Think You Can Dance”  
  —“We’re a bunch of exes who end up in all these lame ass gigs that 
  keep on thematically talking about .. partners (debut, weddings, 
  anniversaries) we’re .. professionals 
  — “Backstage dancers to Hatsune Miku, Lady Gaga, or table’s current 
  point of interest” (it can be BTS, you know it’s fine) or other touring 
  group 
  — we’re all under the same dance studio and we need to unionize 
  against the landlord or somethin 
  OTHER SETTINGS 
  Have every character answer and flesh out any one of the following 
  questions and provide interesting detail to set up setting elements for 
  your cast or simply a way to see their world: 
  - Where does this character train their body? 
  - What beautiful place do they go to to calm their mind? 
  - What’s an unexpected place that they like lingering in or hold 
  especially dear? 
  - What other medium of art are they interested in? How often do 
  they go there? 
  - What’s a place you’re not supposed to dance at that you do dance 
  in? 
  - What a place that you’ve shot a concept/music video in before? Or 
  would like to shoot in before?  
  - What’s your dream break-out-into-dance location? 
  
   
  Choose a Name 
  Willie Ninja, Wizzard, Tyrone Proctor, Mizrahi, Xyza, Em, Keycee, 
  Christian, a name that sparks 
  Choose a BATTLER NAME 
  007, Calia, Kee-at, Soul J, Goddex, LipJ, Effervescence, Patron, Ms. 
  Undeniable, Dr. Pepper, a name that says look at me 
  Choose a FAMILY NAME 
  International House of Waack, The House of Mizrahi, The House of 
  Wintour,  Alt: I have no vogue/waack fam, I’ve walked alone, A Name 
  that of people who claim power would name themselves 
  Choose a look 
  Sequin jackets, thrift gucci bag, tastefully cut out backless polo, 
  rough jeans, strikingly dyed hair, sharp eyes, prominent facial 
  features that you would think about days later, primary color makeup 
  (bubble gum eyes, peach lips), platformers, overly dressed for every 
  occasion, slouched when you ain’t looking, your own vision of street 
  couture 
  What’s your signature dance move? 
  Hands on hips power woman, Spiderman death drop, Inconspicuously 
  shows off abs, leans forward pointedly and licks lips, ELABORATE 
  COSTUME REVEAL (skirt out of nowhere, nipple tape, wait they had 
  fishnets under that), crowns myself, splits into the announcer, high 
  kick unto stage performance, your own version of loud power 
  What about you dances, and can only be seen when you’re in the 
  spotlight? 
  VOGUE+WAACK
  PHANTASMA
  Tips 
  - make your character fallible and relatable 
  - Dance as outrageously on rooftops, streetcars, with your wildest 
  imagination 
  - Fall in love w music, w anything, w anyone 
  Play to find out 
  - What family means to you 
  - What the spotlight means to you 
  - If you understand your EFFECT on other people
  UNDERGROUND queer black and brown REALNESS, you’re poor but 
  you can achieve the EFFECTS. You’re loud, theatrical and ever longing 
  for a sense of family. “It’s Raining Men” inner diva longin for a back-up 
  who would never betray them
  
   
  Your first love was dance, who was your second?  
  A queer MUA who gave me my first heels, lesbian stylist, my ace best 
  friend, a repressed small videographer, sadly my first bully, your 
  own 
  How do you get people to dance?  
  INCESSANT YELLING and emojis, big sex appeal, you feel their 
  feelings for them, offering to do their makeup and costume, pouting 
  and lolling your head to the side, softness, expressive hands, your 
  own version of pulling them into a spotlight 
  Ask one left and one right 
  We were family once, what happened?  
  You couldn’t take your eyes off me in the last show, why? 
  How did I scarily confess to want to be part of your family recently? 
  TOKEN++ 
  Whenever someone is inspired to be braver w/ your NATURAL 
  CHARISMA, you gain a token 
  “Hard” Moves (spend a token) 
  - Realize you’re safe and accepted in a new community 
  - Show someone your quiet, vulnerable self 
  - Make someone new/different feel deeply accepted 
  - Make someone feel beautiful 
  - Realize you’re too inspired, so in love 
  - Ask “What would make you feel like I’m Real family to you?” 
  Everyday Moves 
  - Add fun! Convince people to a ball,  disco, bar 
  - Make someone new/different feel safe and relaxed 
  - Recoil from any discussion about family 
  - Ask “Who’s stopping your glow/beauty?” 
  “Easy” Moves (take a token) 
  - Push someone away who reminded you too much of old family or 
  flames 
  - Share too much information, be overly emotional 
  - Fail to sympathize for needs beyond yourself 
  - Ask “how am I “too much” for you? 
  - Ask “when was I not “real” to you? 
  
   
  Choose a Name 
  Phil, Prince, Ayuni, Jeffro, Robb, Jaden, A straightforward name 
  Choose a BATTLER NAME 
  Reflex, Mo Twister, Mozic, Girl Kicks, Laya, Hong 10 , Menno, issei, 
  Lussy Sky, Zoopreme, Skim, Robin, Skim, Lilou, Kinder, El Nino, a 
  name that rocksteadies 
  Choose a CREW NAME 
  Manila Soul Crew, Rock Force Frew, NAVI, The Ruggeds, Body 
  Carnival, Sweet Technique, OBC, El Mouwahidin, United Rivals, a 
  name that introduces itself 
  Choose a look 
  University jacket, coach jacket, snap back that hides thinning hair, 
  obviously and necessarily unfairly jacked, training shoes, baggy sweat 
  pants, towel to wipe the floor with, efficient lookin watch, overly 
  large graffiti shirts, unexpectedly amiable face, nice smile, announcer 
  voice, so many damn medals, your own version of industrious nice 
  What’s your signature dance move? 
  windmill legs kicking up air, air flares, 360s, roundhouse kicks ala 
  martial arts films, multiple head spins like an upside down god, baby 
  freezes, iconic top rock sickening groove, footwork like threading 
  needles, your own version of seasoned battler 
  What about you dances, and can only be seen in a throw-down? 
  Your first love was dance, who was your second?  
  Gymnast friend actually, old coach, my best friend, a girl I met by 
  accident, hilariously this medic, an old sports teammate, my assistant 
  coach/choreographer, your own
  BREAKDANCE
  REFLEX
  Woulda coulda been an athlete. Strong responsible, warrior ethic coach 
  vibes.  too prideful or too straight to admit that they’re not so great with 
  feelings. Think “Get on the Good Foot”,  longin for a place for softness
  Tips 
  - make your character fallible and relatable 
  - Dance as skillfully, athletically, and piercingly as you can 
  imagine possible 
  - Fall in love w music, w anything, w anyone 
  Play to find out 
  - What you’re trying to prove 
  - Who you must learn softness for  
  - If you ever let your hard exterior down 
  
   
  How do you get people to dance?  
  Mild bullying, harsh glare of your coach wanting you to get in it 
  already, rough pull on the hands, awkward shoulder pat w a “hey 
  man”, hoarse yelling, focused eyes, your own version of ringside bud 
  Ask one left and one right 
  I coached you before, what happened?  
  You’ve hurt my pride, how? 
  How did you disarm me, how’d you catch me w/ my guard down? 
  TOKEN++ 
  Whenever someone is inspired to be more diligent w/ your SKILLS n 
  COACH REPUTATION, you gain a token 
  “Hard” Moves (spend a token) 
  - Realize you’re respected, valued, loved by a community 
  - Show someone your insecurities, or softer desires 
  - Make someone defeated feel like they can pick up the pieces 
  - Make someone feel powerful 
  - Realize you’re too inspired, so in love 
  - Ask “What would make you feel like I’m Real family to you?” 
  Everyday Moves 
  - Challenge someone to battle or compete 
  - Give someone a practical training tip 
  - Recoil about being called soft  
  - Ask “What’s messin’ with your training?” 
  “Easy” Moves (take a token) 
  - Push someone away who reminds you of failure or injuries 
  - Make someone feel worse for losing 
  - Push people to exhaustion, especially yourself 
  - Ask “how am I “too hard” on you? 
  - Ask “when did I let my pride get between us?”
  
   
  Choose a Name 
  Carmen, Basil, Borja, Slavik, Karina, Carlos Gavito, Ricardo Vidort, 
  Pedro Rusconi, Adriana, Julio, a name that embraces 
  Choose a Partner 
  A sibling been dancing since childhood mildly suffocating, a forsworn 
  platonic best friend, a protoge to a living legend, a lover but 
  awkwardly, recommended: you always dance w whoever in the 
  milonga 
  Choose a look 
  A line skirts with high slits, velveteen, dapper suits, mauve red, floral 
  patterns, midnight makeup, collared shirts even when it’s not needed, 
  tailored wear that compliments your lines, hair styled for an affair, 
  three inch heels, shiny leather shoes, respectable pocket squares, a 
  beauty mark, flowers in hair that feels like it belongs there, your own 
  vision of revered class 
  What’s your signature dance move? 
  Legs hooking underneath my partner’s legs, classic dip with the grace 
  of my back, a hand trailing my partners chin, feet that passes my 
  partner’s like an accident, circles on the floor that whips the trail of 
  my outfit, your own version of classic partnering 
  What about you dances, only in the arms of another? 
  Your first love was dance, who was your second?  
  A crush on the first partner in a club long ago, an old faded artist, a 
  bright and chatty acquaintance, a bar owner, a book of poetry, a 
  friend who felt like an accident from a far off country, your own
  ARGENTINE TANGO
  CARMEN
  Seems older than they look, studies dance reverentially in a near 
  philosophical way, has an odd past w/ an old longterm partner, magnetic 
  gaze and presence, often misinterpreted sensuality, craves 
  lightheartedness that never came easy to them
  Tips 
  - make your character fallible and relatable 
  - Dance as solemnly and as beautifully as you can imagine in 
  midnight 
  - Fall in love w music, w anything, w anyone 
  Play to find out 
  - What having a partner means to you 
  - What dancing alone is 
  - If you understand your energy’s effect on other people
  
   
  How do you get people to dance?  
  Red wine, mood lighting low lights and well polished floors, a formal 
  invitation, a convincing passionate argument, a low and measured 
  voice, an amber like presence both comforting and burning at the 
  same time, two calming hands on both shoulders, eyes that ask 
  Ask one left and one right 
  I was once important to you, why not anymore?  
  Dancing w me reminded your heart of something dangerous, what? 
  How did we share a deep passion, nameless, and hidden?  
  TOKEN++ 
  Whenever someone is inspired to be deeper in life or art, by your 
  PRESENCE, you gain a token 
  “Hard” Moves (spend a token) 
  - Share a feeling or energy in an intimate dance 
  - Share to someone what they mean to you, verbally 
  - Make someone feel revered 
  - Realize you’re too inspired, so in love 
  - Ask “What would make you feel like you’re safe in my arms?” 
  Everyday Moves 
  - Sigh and lead someone into a silent embrace 
  - Wax poetic or philosophical (dance as life, music as life..) 
  - Fail to speak up 
  - Ask “How can you go deeper?” 
  - Ask “What does all this really mean to you?” 
  “Easy” Moves (take a token) 
  - Dismiss someone as shallow or disrespectful 
  - Fail to understand something fast and frantic 
  - Feel very antiquated or out of place 
  - Ask “how am I “too intense” for you? 
  - Ask “how did I put too much meaning, misinterpret your 
  intentions?”
  
   
  Choose a Name 
  Jared, The professor, Mr. Ms. Mx., Isadora, Martha Graham, Charles 
  Weidman, Eric Hawkins, Emma, Mercer, a name that interrupts 
  Choose a Company (you may have more than 1) 
  DA:NS Collective, Dance Nucleus, The Orange Project, Complexions, 
  Airdance, a name that is intelligently ambitious 
  Choose a look 
  Urban ashram, mysterious line tattoo, self dyed hair, multiple curious 
  rings, overflowing skirts, androgynous monk-like tops, neutral nude 
  tones, close cropped hair, striking silhouettes, long socks, monotone 
  clothing, cardigans, vintage glasses, lopsided shy grin, easy alien like 
  grace, your own vision of artistic academic 
  What’s your signature dance move? 
  Across the flow curling ragged like a broken doll, contractions that 
  fold in and express true pain, bewildering upside down eyes, 
  unorthodox pirouettes, a body that patterns circles and circles on top 
  of itself, contact improvisation, your own version of beautiful 
  creature 
  What’s your favorite dance themes? 
  gender and sexuality, repurposing and repossessing traditional forms, 
  high culture vs low culture, voyeurism, poverty, body dysmorphia, 
  narratives of your hometown, personal theater, your own 
  What about you dances, only in a well versed piece? 
  Your first love was dance, who was your second?  
  A close arts collaborator in your last arts residency, the visiting 
  professor, unexpected panelist, cozy stranger from kareoke, your own
  CONTEMPORARY + ACADEME
  JARED
  Studied abroad for dance anthropology discourse, real smart and a real 
  activist for margnialized movement languages since they’re quite 
  marginalized themselves, used to be fat, mismatched skin tone, different, 
  craves acceptance they don’t need to argue for
  Tips 
  - make your character fallible and relatable 
  - Dance as an argument, as a testament, as a revolution of your 
  identity and thesis 
  - Fall in love w music, w anything, w anyone 
  Play to find out 
  - What you desperately argue or represent 
  - If you find the questions or the dissonance beautiful 
  - If you come home to your body, w your oh so strong mind
  
   
  How do you get people to dance?  
  You argue that everything is dance, especially mundane movement, 
  you offer prompts like ‘pretending to pack your memories’ to direct 
  them to something unorthodox and mindful, you layer complexity w 
  stage elements and other media like video projection, efficient, novel 
  , smart, direct  
  Ask one left and one right 
  We were creative soulmates once, what happened? 
  My last show changed you, why?  
  Why did I beg you to perform with me? Why did you agree?  
  TOKEN++ 
  Whenever someone is inspired to be SPEAK through their dance w/ 
  your lucidity n clarity, you gain a token 
  “Hard” Moves (spend a token) 
  - Realize you’re academic position/work has impact  
  - Show someone how you too feel so weak and lost 
  - Present an argument to beat down someone’s insecurities 
  - Legitimize someone w/ your position  
  - Realize you’re too inspired, so in love 
  - Ask “What would convince you that I really care?” 
  Everyday Moves 
  - Talk theory! Explain things with enthusiasm 
  - Help clarify how someone feels through logic 
  - Feel insulted by being so cerebral 
  - Ask “What does your work represent?” 
  -   Ask “What does your work mean?” 
  “Easy” Moves (take a token) 
  - Overthink feelings you can’t logic out of 
  - Exclude someone w/ your language or privilege 
  - Question the academia 
  - Ask “how am I “too much talk” for you? 
  - Ask “how did I silence your art” ?
  
   
  Choose a Name 
  Ria, Mikhaella, Socorro, Cherry, Mikhail, Michael, a traditional name, 
  a name that follows 
  Choose a look 
  Hand me down cardigan, vintage, jazz pants, sentimental flowing 
  things, oceans as hair, clasped hands, arm and leg warmers, thrifted 
  ballet themed graphic shirts that’s seen better days, old tulle 
  costumes, rusty tiara, graceful pearl earring set, nude nail polish w 
  French tips, nude lips, a studied pout, weak stand, your own vision of 
  a weathered bloom 
  What’s your signature dance move? 
  Shaky multiple pirouttes, a grand jete , arabesque, to hold someone 
  like a swan, develope, I am most charming at the basic positions, the 
  way I hold my head up, chasses or chasing across the floor, ballet-like 
  arm placements in picture inching close to yoga practice 
  What about you dances, only in a forgotten movement? 
  Your first love was dance, who was your second?  
  A street dancer so different from me, a musician wilder than me, 
  someone charming, something colorful, your own
  EX-BALLERINA
  RIA/MIKHAIL
  Waif like tan body, would’ve been the best in pointe if they didn’t stop 
  dancing, incredibly shuttered and quiet, graceful, so many people would 
  like to care for them, craves a dance or existence that is freeing and non 
  punishing
  Tips 
  - make your character fallible and relatable 
  - Dance as a memory, as a religion, as a way back to oneself 
  - Fall in love w music, w anything, w anyone 
  Play to find out 
  - Who you let take away your dance from you 
  - How you forgive yourself and your own regrets 
  - If you return to dance in some way or leave it cleanly and 
  completely
  
   
  How do you get people to dance?  
  Eyes that could pout, a face you’d want to do anything for, with your 
  memories, for the good old days, to mark an occasion, by asking 
  gentle favors, genuinely like good things that hurt, your own 
  Ask one left and one right 
  We were free once, what happened? 
  You couldn’t take your eyes off me in the last show, why? 
  How did I beg you to help me? What did I ask? 
  TOKEN++ 
  Whenever someone is inspired to be more VULNERABLE, with your 
  HONESTY, take a token 
  “Hard” Moves (spend a token) 
  - Realize you’re okay w your choices 
  - Show someone how broken you are 
  - Make someone feel okay w/ their brokeness, their needs 
  - Make someone feel like their selfishness is worth having 
  - Realize you’re too inspired, so in love 
  - Ask “If you would be selfish for once, what would you do?” 
  Everyday Moves 
  - Remember joy in simple movement 
  - Make someone feel like it’s worth trying again 
  - Recoil from any discussion of dance as career 
  - Ask “Why not, maybe?” 
  “Easy” Moves (take a token) 
  - Push someone away who sees your joy, your grace 
  - Leave a jealous remark, a bittersweet compliment 
  - Notice how time has passed you 
  - Ask “do you pity me”? 
  - Ask “do you think it’s too late?” 
  
   
  Choose a Name 
  Joyen, Camillie, April, Indigo Blue, Ohpelia, Blue Angel, Vivienne, 
  Barbara, Dons Spiro a name that inspires  
  Choose a SERVICE/ SPECIALTY 
  BDSM Ropes, Candles, Hoops, Spinny Pole, Static pole, Towel Props, 
  Chair dances, Air Hammocks, Veils, Fans, Couch, Lap, Floor works, 
  athletic carnival feats, your own 
  Choose a look 
  Black lipstick, piercings, petite, is that an 8 pack?, thigh garters, punk 
  grunge tiara, neon eye detailing, eyelashes that tickle, a sparkling 
  laugh, chuck taylors, a peppy smile, side swept bangs and immaculate 
  hair, woven pole shorts, eccentric off shoulder t-shirts, your own 
  vision of sweet dream and beautiful nightmare 
  What’s your signature dance move/look? 
  Death drop on a pole, it involves a whip, it involves a cake, it involves 
  being drenched by water, classic jazz hands and cheeky facial 
  expressions, embodies a versa, teases people w their thighs or butt, 
  clapping their heels together commanding attention, your own 
  version of look at me 
  What about you dances, only when you have pleasure in your 
  body? 
  Your first love was dance, who was your second?  
  Bar owner, bar tender, bouncer, a regular office person, queer 
  awakening teenage first love, summer fling, that FUBU, sugar daddy/
  mommy that got away, your own
  POLE DANCE/ BURLESQUE
  JOYEN
  Dominatrix, sex positive and pleasure activist, owns a lot of wigs, 
  unfortunately not taken so seriously boo hoo, ripped AF and 
  underground AF, longs to be understood clear their name from an old 
  scandal to be respected and understood
  Tips 
  - make your character fallible and relatable 
  - Dance as a scorpionic statement, undeniable, proud 
  - Fall in love w music, w anything, w anyone 
  Play to find out 
  - How society still misunderstands you 
  - You’re okay with it most of the time, so what about this 
  particular incident or story line bothers you now 
  - If you understand the people who need you the most
  
   
  How do you get people to dance?  
  Righteous undeniable sex appeal, a wink, an all access pass to an 
  incredible costume rack, you promise the stage and the lights will 
  always offer a good time, a finger on your desire beckoning those 
  deepest calls forward, a kept secret 
  Ask one left and one right 
  We were my confidant once, what happened? 
  Why don’t you trust me? 
  How did you fail to stand up for me when I needed you most? 
  TOKEN++ 
  Whenever someone is inspired to GROWL their own DESIRES w/ 
  your own performance and domination, you gain a token 
  “Hard” Moves (spend a token) 
  - Be at peace you’re not for everyone 
  - Show someone your betrayed, hurt self 
  - Enable someone’s darkest desires 
  - Enable someone’s sexual liberation 
  - Realize you’re too inspired, so in love 
  - Ask “What would make me feel free and absolutely shameless?” 
  Everyday Moves 
  - Add pleasure! Make something feel like a show, or a flirt 
  - Make someone feel desirable 
  - Be offended by any discussion on shame 
  - Ask “What would make you feel wanted right now?” 
  “Easy” Moves (take a token) 
  - Push someone away who likes/wants you for more than your body 
  - Make someone uncomfortable  
  - Feel ashamed about your lifestyle 
  - Ask “how am I “too tempting” for you? 
  - Ask “how did I Let you on”? 
  
   
  Choose a Name 
  Moggi, Ana, Luis, Paolo, Jona, Anon, Terry, Oliver, Eddie, Magna, 
  Juan Matos, Johnny, Griselle, a name that feels fun and familiar 
  Style Specialty/ Energy 
  (On1)jazz, moves big easily the center of attention, (On2) musical 
  subtle a little too cool, (Cuban) party animal, runs circles around 
  people, (Traditional) Gentleman, charmer, (Sensual) performative 
  sexuality, teenager vibe, (Slow) genuinely likes hugs 
  Choose a look 
  Fitted V neck, Plain Sneakers, Trendy Clothes, Cut-outs, Jumpsuits, 
  Bright eyes, fedora hat, prominent looking glasses, sleek men’s shoes, 
  cutting heels, flaring skirt, flowing hair, wide set shoulders, tailored 
  pants, tassel dress, tassel pants, surprising backless or show of skin,  
  your own vision of sweet and spice  
  What’s your signature dance move? 
  Getting real close and winking, kneeling down to applaud your 
  partner, kissing your partner’s hand, a closed hold that you could melt 
  in, cheeky antics like sitting on chairs or swinging around columns, 
  really loud clapping, singing along the song in an event tone, 
  squeezing hands as thanks, your own version of have fun with me 
  What about you dances, only partying w a near-stranger? 
  Your first love was dance, who was your second?  
  One night stand, the one that got away, embarrassingly a dance crush, 
  this Brazillian language instructor, this cute lady who bought me a 
  beer on my bday a few years back, your own
  SALSA BACHATA KIZOMBA
  MOGGI
  Knows how to make other people feel good, hired to teach people cause 
  they know how to make people feel good and have a good time, plagued 
  by always too jealous partners, too much of a people pleaser, wants to 
  know their own dance, or what they want when they aren’t here to please
  Tips 
  - make your character fallible and relatable 
  - Dance as a duo, sensitive, fun, like a great party 
  - Fall in love w music, w anything, w anyone 
  Play to find out 
  - Who’s needs you love putting before your own 
  - Who needs your friendly, your party, your cheer? 
  - Why you’re so scared to know about just yourself
  
   
  How do you get people to dance?  
  Get them a little drunk, amiable and charismatic personality, will 
  talk you through it until you’re okay, would compliment your outfit 
  or good looks, invite your friends, introduce you to their friends, 
  harmless flirting, “it’s just a dance”  
  Ask one left and one right 
  I really liked you before, what happened?  
  You badly want to dance w/ me, why?/ why haven’t we? 
  Why do I so badly want to please you?  
  TOKEN++ 
  Whenever someone is inspired to PUT OTHERS FIRST w/ your 
  GENEROSITY, you gain a token 
  “Hard” Moves (spend a token) 
  - Realize something about your own needs 
  - Show someone your tired, grouchy, ugly feelings 
  - Dance alone, but w/ real gusto 
  - Intuit how someone feels or what they need via body language 
  - Realize you’re too inspired, so in love 
  - Ask “How do I make space between us?” 
  Everyday Moves 
  - Ease people into a conversation, make friends 
  - Help people relax with you or each other 
  - Appreciate and praise someone’s real dance 
  - Deflect any questions about your life specifically 
  - Ask “So do you want me to join you?” (code for “help” you) 
  “Easy” Moves (take a token) 
  - Push someone away who wants to help you w/ your own troubles 
  and needs  
  - Deflect praise or attention 
  - Give too much of yourself, to your detriment 
  - Party too hard or feel so tired 
  - Ask “why can’t I get enough of you? 
  - Ask “how is helping you with your problem my roundabout way 
  of fixing mine?”
  
   
  Choose a Name 
  Khate, Katarina, Tintin, Carl Kevin, Kai, Pauline, Joshua Marie, 
  Angelica, Sushi, Totem, Kim, Avery, Abelle, a name that sounds like 
  an old home 
  Recount an ancestral culture 
  Respectfully, borrowed or real, something you like remembering, 
  share a special place— a mountainside, a river, a festival  
  Choose a traditional instrument 
  (that you love dancing to) Metal hammered gongs, hand pans, bamboo 
  xylophones, nose flutes, droning string instruements w flowing 
  feather or decorative animal skull, your own 
  Choose a look 
  bandana, flower in hair, shells as anklets, tree seeds as a bracelet, 
  colorful woven earrings, large stacked bangles, traditional tattoos, 
  longer hair, native facial features, bandages on fingers, subtle and 
  updated tribal patterns, jeans you patched or made yourself, your own 
  What’s your signature dance move? 
  Hands that flow like the ocean, cradling the world with a fabric like 
  an infant, hands that mimic swaying rice stalks, miming a great bird, 
  acrobatic — on top of stacking benches or clapping bamboo poles, 
  warrior/hunting strike, chanting and beckoning winds home 
  What about you dances, when you are connected to the ancestors 
  or the elements? 
  Your first love was dance, who was your second?  
  A djembe drummer, an anarchist, a streetside guru, a local language 
  major, a bassist who’s trying their best, a biker, your own
  INDIGENOUS+TRADITIONAL
  KHATE
  Preserves cultural values and norms, academic and well-travelled and 
  versed in political discourse. Small and prayerful. Can’t stand too loud 
  things and too fast conversation. Scared to be left behind, and forgetten. 
  Longs to be deeply revered and appreciated. 
  Tips 
  - make your character fallible and relatable 
  - Dance as a ritual, prayer, a tradition 
  - Fall in love w music, w anything, w anyone 
  Play to find out 
  - What threatens your cherished tradition 
  - Who appreciates and badly needs to find you 
  - If you’re at peace w/ your place’s history
  
   
  How do you get people to dance?  
  You help them come home to their history or old family, invite them 
  on a trip, go on a research, go on a tour, invite them to dance in 
  nature — somewhere scenic, greeting the sun, the wind, the ocean, 
  you co-opt a ritual together to celebrate a special occasion w them 
  Ask one left and one right 
  You revered me once, what happened?  
  You remembered something in my last show, what? 
  How did I ask you to help preserve something important to me? 
  TOKEN++ 
  Whenever someone is inspired to be braver w/ your EFFECTS n 
  REALNESS, you gain a token 
  “Hard” Moves (spend a token) 
  - Realize you’re safe and accepted in a new community 
  - Show someone your quiet, vulnerable self 
  - Make someone new/different feel deeply accepted 
  - Make someone feel beautiful 
  - Realize you’re too inspired, so in love 
  - Ask “What would make you feel like I’m Real family to you?” 
  Everyday Moves 
  - Add fun! Convince people to a ball,  disco, bar 
  - Make someone new/different feel safe and relaxed 
  - Recoil from any discussion about family 
  - Ask “Who’s stopping your glow/beauty?” 
  “Easy” Moves (take a token) 
  - Push someone away who reminded you too much of old family or 
  flames 
  - Share too much information, be overly emotional 
  - Fail to sympathize for needs beyond yourself 
  - Ask “how am I “too much” for you? 
  - Ask “when was I not “real” to you? 
  
   
  Choose a Name 
  James, Ian Villianueva, Patpat, Meggie, Christina, Madelle, AC, 
  Sebastian, Arda, Ashe, Trishca, Baws Tiger, Felix, Vinx, Henry, Jaimie 
  Go, a name that means business 
  Choose a BATTLER NAME/ALTER 
  The professor, heavy boogie, BADD one, Soulstice, Adrum, Clone, 
  Girl Titan A Battle Name that defends the crown 
  Choose a CREW NAME, you’ve left them in bad blood 
  Funk n Styles, Old School Jack, Batas, MolitoFunk, Ghetto Style 
  Killaz, a name that grooves as well as demands.  
  Choose a look 
  Designer funk, large & wide, immigrant, mono bloc colors, large 
  vintage jackets, bucket hats, not ironic streetwear, boots, always in a 
  specific hat, prominent jawline, baggy shirt, baggier pants, an 
  obsessive sneaker collection, worn out vans, your own graffiti child 
  What’s your signature dance move? 
  Oh you beat them by doing basic stuff with just so much Stank, old 
  school classic get-down hip-hop, animation and robotic poses, 
  eccentric puppet like characters, avante garde floor work, weird 
  flexible joints, monster-like, spiderman poses, your own version of 
  BOSS 
  What about you dances, freely only when you fight alone? 
  Your first love was dance, who was your second?  
  Dog, mentor, This obscure soul singer, Specific Shoe Collector, This 
  classmate who was just good w/ people, video game friend, your own
  HIPHOP + POPPING
  JAMES
  Good at diss tracks and shittalk. Genuinely deeply in love w the SOUND. 
  Defensive n passionate about the culture. So harsh once, they burned 
  some old bridges. Is trying to learn to build community. Longing to 
  forgive themself. 
  Tips 
  - make your character fallible and relatable 
  - Dance like you’ve always won and that you intend to 
  - Fall in love w music, w anything, w anyone 
  Play to find out 
  - Why this time you need others 
  - If you’re willing to bury the hatchet for Dance 
  - If you can temper your powerful pride
  
   
  How do you get people to dance?  
  By focusing on your own, you are not good at teaching like the 
  others. Only your reputation, your videos, your wins, and your rare 
  video descriptions move others  
  Ask one left and one right 
  You’re the reason I fly solo, what happened between us?* 
  Why do I need you?  
  How did you school me/ put me in my place?  
  TOKEN++ 
  Whenever someone is inspired by your INDIVIDUALITY and ETHIC, 
  you gain a token 
  “Hard” Moves (spend a token) 
  - Realize you need someone else 
  - Show someone your regrets, your hurt pain 
  - Make someone new, feel strong 
  - Say sorry (2 tokens) 
  - Realize you’re too inspired, so in love 
  - Ask “What needs to happen for the betterment of the 
  community?” 
  Everyday Moves 
  - Win a Battle, cause noise for a battle, 
  - Bring Pride to a style or a location 
  - Trash talk, start a fight 
  - passionately argue about dance 
  - Recoil from community  
  - Ask “Why don’t you show them what you got?” 
  “Easy” Moves (take a token) 
  - Hurt someone with your words 
  - Make someone feel insecure, without meaning to or on purpose 
  - Come off as intimidating 
  - Ask “how do I fail to show up for you?” 
  - Ask “why do I wish you were my community?” 
  *logically pairs w the “Reflex”, but other PCs could have a street 
  style past to form this bond
  
   
  Choose a Name 
  Slavik, Karina, Yulia, Ricardo, Nikolay, Eugeniya, Alexandru, Steffen, 
  Natalia, Iveta, Alain, Anik, Kim, Gary, David, a name that arrives 
  Choose a signature competition look 
  Dripping in rhinestones, better than Disney ball gown, backless sheer 
  electric, dress that moves like fire, sever silhoutte, your own 
  legendary vision. That’s framed in the studio now what do you wear 
  when it’s training, describe your favorite shoes too 
  What’s your signature dance category? 
  GENERAL: Latin — I am loud proud and flamboyant hands up tongue 
  out || Standard — I am tall, strong the definition of elegance, head 
  tall eyes steely 
  LATIN: chacha (cheeky playful), samba (hips that bring in it’s own 
  drumline), rumba (drama that has it’s own spotlight), Paso doble 
  (drama but make it a bloody fistfight), Jive (you shouldn’t look like 
  you’re having that much fun) 
  STANDARD: Waltz (classic, elegant), Tango (you would piss off 
  Carmen Playbook with abrupt stances), Viennese (endless twirling), 
  Slow Foxtrot (like slow walks by the beach) Quickstep (a marathon 
  but in formal dress 
  What about you dances, in years of connection and discipline? 
  Your first love was dance, who was your second?  
  Detail oriented hobby like knitting or cooking, the we do not speak of 
  ex-partner, an old rival who took me years to defeat, weight trainer 
  who sculpted me out of puberty, my dress designer and confidant, 
  that one friend who grounded me when my career was supposed to 
  end earlier create your own
  10 DANCE BALLROOM
  SLAVIK
  Tips 
  - make your character fallible and relatable 
  - Dance like you’ve always won and that you intend to 
  - Fall in love w music, w anything, w anyone 
  Play to find out 
  - What aging feels like to a professional dancer 
  - If you’ve accepted this or not 
  - If you are graceful in transition
  Older than everybody, is decorated old school 10 dance champ even with the 
  old politics, severe and organized. Trying to retire as stubborn they are in 
  trying not to, is good at other job, trying to get better at being a mentor to 
  other artists (whatever genre)
  
  How do you get people to dance?  
  An experienced touch, an in depth explanation, by staying and letting 
  them just stew in the drill or the music, strict daddy/mommy aura  
  Describe your longterm partner and feel free to make them a 
  relevant NPC. Are they like you? Or completely different? 
  Ask one left and one right 
  I see too much of myself in you, why? 
  What can I learn from only you?  
  You get through my old dog stubbornness how the hell?  
  TOKEN++ 
  Whenever someone is inspired by your PATIENCE, DISCIPLINE, 
  HISTORY, you gain a token 
  “Hard” Moves (spend a token) 
  - Admit openly you’re too old for this 
  - Offer someone a painful but wise story 
  - Make someone have more pride in themselves 
  - Comfort someone in deep defeat 
  - Realize you’re too inspired, so in love 
  - Ask “What needs to happen for me to age more gracefully?” 
  Everyday Moves 
  - Bring authority that only comes with being seasoned 
  - Make the everyday appear elegant  
  - “I Still Got It” demo teach-in class 
  - Reminisce a time when you were at your best 
  - Ask “Why don’t you show them the results of my coaching?” 
  “Easy” Moves (take a token) 
  - Misjudge someone due to generation gap 
  - Make someone feel young, greenhorned, without meaning to 
  - Come off as gatekeeping or snobbish 
  - Ask “my critique was valid off time, why?” 
  - Ask “why does my body fail me right now?” 
  *logically foils with Carmen and Tango who don’t partner dance 
  competitively. Foils well w reflex or insecure characters
  
SOURCE: textdata/thevault/Self-Exploration, Emotional, & Relationship/Dance with Me Official.pdf