The Art and Craft of Aerial Dance discusses my personal experiences training and performing aerial dance, along with my study of safe practices in aerial rigging. My journey as a Theatre and Dance Honors-In-Discipline Scholar at East Tennessee State University from 2016-2020, culminated with my senior thesis capstone performance at Azure Aerial Arts on Friday, December 6th, 2019. This exploration into the world of aerial dance began in the spring of 2017 and has not ceased. If anything, the drive and motivation to continue pushing forward despite many obstacles continues to grow and manifest itself into new forms in my life. This drive, and my work as an intern with Night Owl Circus Arts (NOCA) at Azure Aerial Arts over the summer of 2019, propelled me to choose this topic as my final thesis because of all of my accomplishments at ETSU, this is one that I hold nearest and dearest to my heart.

abstract: “In Spirit - An Archetypal Journey of the Soul” is a document illustrating the process of creating an evening length autobiographical aerial dance theater performance, In Spirit, through the investigation of theoretical, kinesthetic and choreographic research of archetypal symbolism, as well as aesthetic, choreographic and pedagogical aspects of aerial dance. The Jungian research specifically informed the identification of symbolism and the roles that archetypes play in creating a clear storyline within aerial dance theatre. In addition, research of aesthetic voice and current aerial dance practitioners became important and gave perspectives on creative pedagogical engagement in contemporary dance and aerial dance-making. For the duration of the process of creating In Spirit image-based creative tools, tarot symbolism, Jungian archetypes, aerial dance training and collaboration were explored with the cast of ten dancers. Through this research and embodying the spirit of collaboration, the choreographer and dancers worked diligently to train dancers with no previous experience in aerial dance to perform in aerial roles. The evening-length performance of In Spirit synthesized contemporary dance, aerial dance, theatre and symbolism regarding rebirth. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Dance 2020

This choreographic research identifies and examines triggers that can induce flow, as defined by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, through a creative process and performance, illuminating a type of experience that supports awareness of flow characteristics in a dance environment. The methodology documents qualitative phases of self-reflection, interviews with current performing artists, and discussions with dancers that assisted in identifying key flow triggers, informing movement explorations that culminated in a new dance piece and performance. Flow triggers identified through this process were imagery, environment, awareness of audience, and touch, which were explored with the aid of aerial hammocks to create a tactile experience for the dancers in the work. By exploring flow triggers within the creative process the performers experienced and reflected upon flow characteristics, often applying personal triggers to find deeper focus within the dance. This study may inform artists and educators interested in a flow experience in their creative process.

Le sacre du printemps, a ballet choreographed in 1913 by Vaslav Nijinsky, played an important part in changing the way the world thought about choreography. Since, modern choreographers such as Graham and Taylor have followed in the tradition of creating their own versions of Le sacre. This thesis outlines the significance of Le sacre. It also describes how Bates created a choreographic project using Nijinsky, Taylor, and Graham influences, and also combining modern dance floor techniques with aerial choreography.