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Julia Taylor
University of North Carolina at Asheville
Subject Listing - Music and Dance
Advisor: Dr. John Wood, Dr. Heidi Kelley, Constance A. Schrader
Thursday, Performing Arts Session 2, Presentation 1, Reuter Center Chestnut Ridge
TRANSFORMATIVE PERFORMANCE: DOCUMENTING AN EXPERIENTIAL INQUIRY
The purpose of this project is to investigate how both ritual and improvisation affect transformational experiences within a unique form of dance and ritual performance called Butoh Ritual Mexicano. An essential component of this research involves an experiential exploration of this dance style. This includes developing performances using its techniques of choreography that are based primarily upon ritualized and structured improvisations. The research follows and reveals the experiences of both fellow dancers and myself, through the processes of practicing, rehearsing, performing, and reflecting on this dance form. As well as documenting the performers' processes, the project also includes recording audience responses to the work. These recordings and experiences are the principal ethnographic source materials of my research. Analyzing the dynamics between ritual and improvisation, the paper presents my findings and how they compare to other research concerning ritual, improvisation, and transcendental experience in the fields of Performance and Anthropology Studies. Although the investigation into the transformational ritual experience is an ancient one, in the world of Anthropology there is still a plethora of understanding to be uncovered. My research focuses on one aspect and manifestation of a contemporary exploration into the goings on of this type of experience. This research is not only a personal process and transformation, but also an investigation and documentation of the events and discoveries within that process, which ultimately has the potential to reveal profound insights into the wider human experience.
Advisor: Dr. John Wood, Assistant Professor of Sociology, Department of Sociology, University of North Carolina at Asheville, Asheville, NC
Advisor: Dr. Heidi Kelley, Professor, Department of Sociology, University of North Carolina at Asheville, Asheville, NC
Advisor: Constance A. Schrader, Lecturer, Department of Health and Wellness, University of North Carolina at Asheville, Asheville, NC