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Presence, A dance film exploring physical, mental, and emotional presence through movement across the country.

Description
As an artist, I set out to creatively answer three important questions that were discovered in a variety of ways over the course of my academic career. They all had one thing in common, the awareness and wonder around how impactful presence is. But what is presence? Merriam-Webster Dictionary defined…

As an artist, I set out to creatively answer three important questions that were discovered in a variety of ways over the course of my academic career. They all had one thing in common, the awareness and wonder around how impactful presence is. But what is presence? Merriam-Webster Dictionary defined presence as, “The state or fact of existing, occurring, or being present in a place or thing.” And, “A person or thing that exists or is present in a place but is not seen. (Presence) After a tangible experience with loss, grief, disappointment, and extenuating life circumstances for many cast members involved in this seven-month movement research project, the internal battle for physical, mental, and emotional presence began to be a daily pursuit. The originally produced work, Presence-The Walk, takes a look into the unpopular practice of being still in an ever-moving society, as well as what the process of healing can look like for an individual. Videographer and MFA candidate Lawrence Fung was a large collaborator on the final product of this work. After having to adapt several different versions of the final product due to cast changes, opportunities for public performance, and the COVID-19 pandemic, dancer, mover, and artist Victoria Ward shares her experience and research exploring the constant pursuit of presence and what it looked like to present professional work given an even shorter timeline. Interdisciplinary collaboration with photographers, artists, and spoken word was also a key aspect of this work alongside the research completed by her cast of seven dancers.
ContributorsWard, Victoria Marie (Author) / Conder, Carley (Thesis director) / Meredith, Shauna (Committee member) / Rosenkrans, Angela (Committee member) / School of Film, Dance and Theatre (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05

Gender and Sexuality in Classical Ballet

Description
This paper researches and studies the experiences of queer and transgender ballet dancers in classical ballet. While men in classical ballet are typically considered to be gay due to gendered stereotypes, women in classical ballet are assumed to be heterosexual. This causes a lack of visibility of queer women in…

This paper researches and studies the experiences of queer and transgender ballet dancers in classical ballet. While men in classical ballet are typically considered to be gay due to gendered stereotypes, women in classical ballet are assumed to be heterosexual. This causes a lack of visibility of queer women in classical ballet. Furthermore, strict gender roles in traditional classical ballet affect nonbinary and transgender ballet dancers, impacting their experiences. Misogyny and body shaming play a role in the experiences of female ballet dancers, and these issues combine with homophobia and transphobia for queer and transgender dancers. This paper considers the intersection of gender and sexuality and researches how that impacts the experiences and mental well-being of classical ballet students. It compares the experiences of classical ballet dancers of all backgrounds, genders, and sexualities to determine how their experiences relate and differ.
ContributorsReynolds, Ry (Author) / Conder, Carley (Thesis director) / Flower, Lauren (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Social Transformation (Contributor) / School of Music, Dance and Theatre (Contributor)
Created2024-05

Untangled Roots: Through Us All

Description
“Untangled Roots: Through us all” explores the transformative power of a dance-based intervention aimed at breaking the cycles of generational trauma to safeguard the well-being of future generations. Grounded in the understanding of generational trauma as the transmission of emotional wounds through familial lines, the choreography and production within the…

“Untangled Roots: Through us all” explores the transformative power of a dance-based intervention aimed at breaking the cycles of generational trauma to safeguard the well-being of future generations. Grounded in the understanding of generational trauma as the transmission of emotional wounds through familial lines, the choreography and production within the show examines how dance serves as a medium for raising awareness and facilitating healing. Through movement, storytelling, and embodied expression, both audience members and dancers are able to engage in a process of reconnecting with suppressed emotions, releasing tension, and reclaiming agency over their narratives. By fostering empathy, connection, and solidarity, the dance intervention not only addresses individual traumas but also works towards preventing their continuation into the future, thereby promoting resilience and well-being across generations.
ContributorsKabat, Kyla (Author) / Bradley Browning, Nicole (Thesis director) / Conder, Carley (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Dean, W.P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / School of Music, Dance and Theatre (Contributor)
Created2024-05