UC Santa Cruz

My research is an investigation of how I created a learning space that resulted in beginner performers heightening their self-awareness. I believe I was able to achieve this by implementing dance and movement exploration in my classroom. I wanted to know how and why I was able to achieve this amongst my beginning performer students enrolled in a theater arts course in higher education. . What are the qualities of my practice that can bring about creative innovation? How can dance inspire people? How can disciplined bodily control be achieved through creative movement exercises? How can dance strengthen the relationship between mind, body, and emotions within the individual? This investigation required an in-depth analysis of my dance-based background, various dance practitioners’ teaching methods, and other philosophies in regard to the expressive qualities within dance. I have structured my thesis as a reflexive autoethnography. The purpose of this thesis is to reflect on the past and future inspirations informing how I developed my creative way of teaching. I hope to increase accessibility for other practitioners who are teaching beginning performers.