University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Embodied chronicles: An arrangement of rhythmic memories

Lewis, Ty'esha Myshelle

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/118093

Description

Title
Embodied chronicles: An arrangement of rhythmic memories
Author(s)
Lewis, Ty'esha Myshelle
Issue Date
2023
Keyword(s)
  • Embodiment
  • Rhythm
  • Space
  • Storytelling
  • Feminism
Language
en
Abstract
Embodied Chronicles: An Arrangement of Rhythmic Memories is a two-part thesis presentation, choreographic and written. The choreographic portion is an evening-length work that took place at the Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center in Urbana, IL on March 2nd-4th. In my choreography, I investigated the body spatially and energetically, by rhythmically drawing on my rich and visceral embodied memories in relationship to my family, growing up in a southern black church, girl groups of the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s, dancing in my high school drill team, my professional dance training, and everyday habits and task. In collaboration with my 11 dancers, I utilized these memories rhythmically to create two worlds within the space, chaos/overstimulation and calm/serenity, by intermingling, contaminating, and/or settling these rhythms next to one another. In this choreographic research, I was also interested in how the performance would viscerally affect the audience’s experience while viewing this complex and organic matrix that could transform the space and the body of the viewer. Because this work took place in a non-traditional proscenium stage, the audience had the opportunity to be up close to the performance, creating an opportunity for their bodies to be more immersed in the work. In the written portion of this thesis, I synthesized my choreographic reflections and findings regarding embodiment, rhythm, and space. I also developed and shared stories with prompts that have the possibility for the reader to have a visceral and embodiment experience while reading the text.
Type of Resource
  • text
  • moving image
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 2023 Ty' esha Myshelle Lewis

Owning Collections

MFA Theses – Dance PRIMARY