Conviction Moves Us
Graduation Date
5-2018
Document Type
Honors Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Department
Music, Dance and Performing Arts
Director of the Honors Program
Gigi Gokcek, PhD
First Reader
Gay Lynch, PhD
Second Reader
Thomas Burke, MA
Abstract
Conviction has the potential to move us in ways that are beautiful beyond compare. This is to say that actions of assurance – such as the choices to believe, stand up, speak up, be bold, persist, and remain hopeful – are stunning because they can catalyze movement in us and around us that creates change and connection. My choreographic work entitled Conviction explores this beauty within the individual, as well as the community. Movement is a conversation; dance is a form of embodied communication and understanding that reflects and shapes cultural values, identity, and change. During my choreographic process I asked my dancers the following questions: What is something that you love about yourself? What is something that you had to learn to love about yourself? When do you feel most confident/beautiful? Have you stood up for someone or for yourself? What do you have a strong will about? What does it mean to be a woman? What does “conviction moves us” mean to you? The dancers' and my answers to these questions influenced the movement and the performance, as well as my leadership style and my priorities in the choreographic process.
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