The project interwove cognitive scientific theories and methodologies into a performative research setting to examine the efficacies of communicating emotion experiences. I was specifically exploring the triadic exchange between choreographer to dancer, and dancer to the audience.

The triadic exchange had two phases: 

PHASE 1: Mindful Movers Intensive – Choreographer to Dancer

The experiment took the form of a  2-week intensive in which we choreographed the same piece, but onto two separate groups of dancers with two differing choreographic approaches:

Group 1 worked with a newly developed nonverbal choreographic technique.

Group 2 worked with usual verbal forms of communication.

I then compared how well the two groups could decipher the three specific emotions we, (the choreographers) intended for the piece to elicit using a collection of behavioral study approaches.

PHASE 2: DEIXIS – Dancer to Audience

The dancers then performed the piece for an audience to examine if the efficacies of communicating intended emotions varied depending upon the choreographic technique. I then compared this relationship using various behavioral study approaches.

In addition to the behavioral perspective, I was also able to take an empirical lens. Through the use of the Near-Infrared Spectrometer (fNIRS), I was able to neurological investigate the efficacies of communicating emotion experiences, examining the implications of dance as a naturally empathic communicative tool.

Master’s Thesis Project

Fine Arts Academy and University of Vienna

Vienna, AT

2017-2019

Check out the excerpt of  HERE

Read the final Thesis HERE