Have you ever wondered what your brain goes through while watching dancers perform? Neurolive did, and they decided to look into it—for science.
If you haven’t yet heard of Neurolive, it’s our pleasure to introduce you to their groundbreaking work. Neurolive is a five-year interdisciplinary research project that brings together scientists, artists, audiences, and dancers. The project focuses on live dance performances and their effects on the brain. Based at Siobhan Davies Studios in the UK, the team is guided by Dr. Guido Orgs, who leads the research, and choreographer Matthias Sperling, who directs the dancers.
Neurolive aims to understand how the human brain responds to live dance performances, and once they found an eager partner in Siobhan Davies Studios, the game was afoot. Using electrode caps, the team measures real-time brain activity in both audience members and dancers. This innovative approach offers a comprehensive view of what the brain experiences—both as it moves through the structured choreography of a dance performance and as it observes the beauty of a performance from the audience.
Why study dance, specifically? Physical movement has well-documented links to improved mental health and cognitive development. Dance, as an art form, demands not only physical skill but also memory, sequencing abilities, and a disciplined approach to practice. It’s a full-brain activity, stimulating cognitive processes and supporting development in both children and adults. Studying how the performance aspect of this activity affects the brain is… well, really freaking cool.
But why also study the brain’s response in audience members? While it’s clear that dancing impacts the brain, Neurolive’s scientists want to understand how watching dance affects audience members' brains. This will help them explore further connections between physical movement, art, and cognitive health. Most movement-and-brain studies focus primarily on dancers; Neurolive is one of the few research groups giving equal focus to the audience’s experience.
“Detective Work” was a duet choreographed by Matthias Sperling for Neurolive to gather data from both dancers and audience members. The piece features a mystery-driven, abstract style that provides a rich, layered experience. Researchers observed cognitive and emotional responses to the piece, giving them insights into how live, in-the-moment movement interactions impact the brain. Different dance styles and storylines evoke different emotional and cognitive reactions, which is why Neurolive plans to continue with multiple performances. “Detective Work” premiered in 2021, and “Readings of What Was Never Written” opens today (November 4) at Siobhan Davies Studios.
So, how does this benefit the world? Neurolive’s findings could significantly impact our understanding of cognitive science, mental health, and physical therapy. Clear links between movement and mental health have the potential to create a world that’s richer and healthier for everyone. Neurolive’s research doesn’t only serve the scientific community but also supports the arts. Evidence that art supports cognitive development and mental health strengthens the case for funding the arts as a societal priority.
So next time you consider attending a ballet, think about buying a ticket for a local production rather than streaming it at home. After all, we now know that it’s not just the dancers who benefit from their movement.
