Matching Items (25)
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- Genre: Masters Thesis
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 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.”
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
Description
Don't Hold Your Breath is an evening-length performance created and performed by Sarah "Saza" Kent and EPIK Dance Company that consisted of street and concert dance combined with hip hop theatre, spoken text and live singing. What began as a one-woman show about the choreographer's life, turned in to an ensemble piece that included the stories of many people, including ten community members who were interviewed on their views of life and death after being affected by a diagnosis. The show follows Kat, a young woman tiptoeing the line between her party girl past and the thought of finally growing up and settling down. Typically confident and self-assured, she is now grappling with the idea of life and death. Kat finds herself in an MRI machine that could ultimately determine her fate. As the machine examines her body, she begins to examine her life, causing her to confront some of life's most existential questions. Has she spent her time wisely? Would she do anything differently if given a second chance? When it comes down to it, and all distractions are stripped away, what is truly important? Her thoughts take her to memories of her past and visions for her future as she faces the reality that life is finite and tomorrow is not promised. This document is an account of the show's process and serves as a place of explanation, analysis, and reflection, while also questioning its significance on a personal level all the way to its place in the field.
ContributorsKent, Sarah Kay (Author) / Fitzgerald, Mary (Thesis advisor) / Hinds, Rickerby (Committee member) / Britt, Melissa (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2018
Description
Cultural background is very important for people, and people from different cultural backgrounds will have different understandings of art. This document explores how individuals relate to other cultures and incorporate the advantages of Chinese cultural values into contemporary dance experiences as researched for the applied project, III. This project uses the Bagua theory in the ancient Chinese book the I Ching to carry out the process of collaborative creation through different art forms in collaboration with artists from different mediums. This document details the artist’s process of self-exploration and creative expansion using personal cultural background and influences (both Eastern and Western). Through this research the artist has come to understand and develop unique personal perspectives and formulate a creative method that she will continue to use in the future; it centers the importance of cultural identity and how that shapes experiences of art and art-making.
ContributorsHu, Yayi (Author) / Standley, Eileen (Thesis advisor) / Mitchell, John (Committee member) / Kim, Marianne (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2019
Description
This document explores a community dance project at an orphanage in Mexico and the investigations following. This project researched how dance can be used to create a transformative and empowering experience for the participant and what discoveries of identity are made through dance. The research took place at an orphanage in Texcoco, Mexico and at Arizona State University. The participants in this research include three dance artists from Arizona State University and 10 ten-year-old children from Mexico. The portion that took place in Mexico was conducted in daily three-hour classes over the span of two weeks. For five months following the two weeks in Mexico, weekly rehearsals were held and a culminating concert was performed on November 20th–22nd of 2015.
ContributorsMay, Emily Ann (Author) / Fitzgerald, Mary (Thesis advisor) / McMahon, Jeff (Committee member) / Rex-Flint, Melissa (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2016
Description
Through ideologies of gender identity, gender as performance, sexuality, and the transgressions thereof, this document serves as a memoir inside of a memoir. I made a pop concert dance piece through a western dance aesthetic with my thesis paper detailing the experience. What did that look like? Throughout this paper, I will explain my thought process, expectations, and experience through writing, which is a more challenging task for me. I am not an academic writer, but rather a rebel with a cause. My cause is to transgress the system in any way I’m able - through words, dance, and expression. As opposed to the artistic dance piece itself, this paper’s purpose is one of both selfish intent and catharsis. Given this, I approached my thesis paper with the same mindset used when developing my piece, in that I rebel fighting against the heteronormative standards that have run my life. I don’t fill this document with regurgitated theory. Moreover, this document morphed into a cathartic platform for me, a purging of counter-hegemonic principals and ideals.
ContributorsCruz, Felix (Author) / Fitzgerald, Mary (Thesis advisor) / Rex, Melissa (Committee member) / McMahon, Jeff (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2017
Description
ABSTRACT The participatory and interactive nature of the "Hearing in Color" project unites people from different walks of life. My interest lies in creating a space for people to explore their creativity, think critically, and hone their own voice in a safe and collaborative environment. I have discovered that all art forms: movement, voice, visual or digital, stimulate possibilities for expression and enable people to move forward in new directions. To this end, my project fused multiple avenues of engagement, innovative dance technology, and alternative or site-specific locations to create a community-based project aimed at promoting dialogue and enhancing ties between several groups in the Phoenix area. In this paper, I argue that a multi-layered approach to community-arts and the use of advanced technology builds bridges for diverse populations to come together to participate and learn from one another. I also maintain that community exists among all communities involved in a process of community arts, not just the participants and facilitator. When community engagement and awareness are prioritized, a multi-layered approach creates the possibilities of growth, honesty, and understanding for all people involved.
ContributorsBritt, Melissa (Author) / Fitzgerald, Mary (Thesis advisor) / Vissicaro, Pegge (Committee member) / Mitchell, John (Committee member) / Woodson, Stephani (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2010
Description
The purpose of the production and the choreographed work, "Sustainable Place," was to bring awareness to the public about sustainability issues through the medium of dance. The piece was performed in Nelson Fine Arts Center's Dance Lab at Arizona State University on October 8th, 9th, and 10th of 2010. The work was layered with inspirations from sustainability issues, recycling processes, and resiliency concepts.
ContributorsNewman, Emily (Author) / Jackson, Naomi (Thesis advisor) / Fitzgerald, Mary (Committee member) / Pijawka, David (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2011
Description
First, this study is intended to comprehend what is perceived to be “good” dancing from two perspectives: the dancers and the dance choreographer/teacher. Second, the goal of this research is to achieve their perceived idea of “good” dancing using the categories of dance aesthetics, movement efficiency, and performance quality as a direction. A phenomenological research approach was applied to understand the terminologies: movement aesthetics, movement efficiency, and performance quality and whether they are essential and contribute to defining what is considered to be “good” dancing. The research was conducted over the course of ten weeks, which included workshops/rehearsals, discussions, and journals and concluded with the showcase of the choreographies in the dance concert performance. This study revealed that there were many similarities in the participants and the researcher’s perception of what “good” dancing is. Through the application of the various somatic methodologies and frameworks, they learned how to perform in their own best way in the different movement styles so that it is beautiful to look at, easy on their bodies, and safe for their bodies. All of the participants were able to achieve a better understanding of their own bodies. Besides gaining individual heightened awareness and understanding of their bodies, they also gained a better understanding on how to work as a collective to achieve the aesthetics of the group from the perspective of the entire dance piece.
ContributorsChoong, Jemima (Author) / Fitzgerald, Mary (Thesis advisor) / Conder, Carley (Committee member) / Bowditch, Rachel (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2023
Description
Obsessions are like itches on your body you can’t get rid of. Constantly thinkingabout the itch, constantly satisfying the need for the time being, but never being fully satisfied to move on and let it go. Obsessive behaviors and obsessive thought patterns are everywhere a person goes, even though it mostly goes unnoticed by those around them. Having an obsession is a very common thing in most people; Adults, teens, and children. The interest in this topic came from my own experiences with obsession. In this dissertation, the research shows the effects of specific obsessions within adults, teens, and children. Looking to understand the behavior and thought patterns of these specific obsession will smoothly transfer the finding back to the authors own personal and professional development. In doing so, this will create harmony between the project, research, and the authors upcoming endeavors.
ContributorsCalvano, Alyssa (Author) / Mitchell, John (Thesis advisor) / Magana, Jorge (Committee member) / Brougham, Jennifer (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2023
Description
This thesis project explores the intricacies of dance technique through the study of one’s dance lineage, creative methodologies, and movement tendencies. This research reveals the layers that technique encompasses through the focused embodiment and analytical view of the choreographer's approach. The cast of six dancers offer their unique perspectives on technique through the embodiment process of this work. The cast has strong cultural and diverse dance backgrounds including Afro-Latin, ballet, Bharatanatyam, contemporary modern dance, hip-hop, and Irish dance. “Under The Blacklight” was the culmination of both a dance film and explorative event in which the audience had the opportunity to directly engage within various types of technique. This work stemmed from the desire to understand the notion behind dance technique development. The purpose of this investigation is to understand how to formulate a structure that serves as a basis of dance technique design. Therefore, this research is primarily focused on the process of cultivating a technique. With this intention, the work is concentrated on elucidating the foundation on a contemporary modern dance technique. While this research is centered on this specific genre of dance, it is essential to note that many similar elements are present in the techniques of other dance disciplines.
ContributorsQuiros Contreras, Nathalie (Author) / Fitzgerald, Mary (Thesis advisor) / Thompson, Keith (Committee member) / Ray, Donna (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2022