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Description
“shiFT: An Exploration of Empathy” is a document detailing the process of

creating the evening length dance performance, “shiFT,” through the theoretical,

somatic, kinesthetic and choreographic research of empathy. This research specifically

addressed the ability to consciously take on an empathetic perspective and the change

that must occur within oneself to co-create empathy. It

“shiFT: An Exploration of Empathy” is a document detailing the process of

creating the evening length dance performance, “shiFT,” through the theoretical,

somatic, kinesthetic and choreographic research of empathy. This research specifically

addressed the ability to consciously take on an empathetic perspective and the change

that must occur within oneself to co-create empathy. It focused on the factors that

impede empathetic function and the role of vulnerability in experiencing empathy.

Throughout the creation of this concert, the choreographer employed empathy building

exercises and concentrated creative processes constructed from her research into the

neurological, emotional and physical aspects of empathy with a cast of ten dancers.

Choreographer and dancers worked collaboratively to create an empathetic

environment, a pre-show film installation titled GREY MATTER, and the culminating

evening length concert piece “shiFT.”
ContributorsWitt, Rebecca (Author) / Fitzgerald, Mary (Thesis advisor) / Standley, Eileen (Committee member) / Heywood, William (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2018
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Description
The purpose of this project was to foster non-inhibited movement exploration such as the movement of untrained dancers in a setting of a music festival (specifically in this case the Grateful Dead community), into the more ritual performance-based ideals and perspectives that tend to occur in a dance studio setting.

The purpose of this project was to foster non-inhibited movement exploration such as the movement of untrained dancers in a setting of a music festival (specifically in this case the Grateful Dead community), into the more ritual performance-based ideals and perspectives that tend to occur in a dance studio setting. The external visual perceptions of what an ideal dancer ‘should look like’ lends itself to unrealistic expectations and unattainable goals as an artist. Body image and the lack of individualized self-expression is a problem in studio settings and the goal of this research was to use the perspective of untrained and trained dancers to dig deep into movement qualities that are not contrived or performed from ritual or preconceived notions of movement that tend to occur in trained dancers. Through exploratory improvisational somatic experiences helping the dancer access a more embodied and authentic self, the choreography was shaped through delving into the dancers lived experiences. This study culminated in a performance dance project that was filmed at Arcosanti, an experimental Artist community in Northern Arizona that integrates the design of architecture with a respect to the ecology. The goal is to limit the environmental footprint that is left by the community.
ContributorsFox, Tiffany Suzanne (Author) / Dyer, Becky (Thesis advisor) / Kaplan, Rob (Committee member) / Standley, Eileen (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2021