Title of Abstract
The Light at the End of the Tunnel
Session Title
Performances
Faculty Mentor
Kelly Ozust, M.F.A
College
College of Visual and Performing Arts
Department
Theatre & Dance
Abstract
As a student choreographer, dancer, and performer, I use movement to tell a story through cinematic ideas, almost as if you are watching a movie. I want to use my piece titled, The Light at the End of the Tunnel, to explore the want and need for hope. The central questions of this story in particular are: “When you’ve survived the struggle, what’s next?” and “Is life more than just survival?”. I wanted to explore these questions by setting the piece in an impossible situation; the end of the world. I want to communicate the different ideas of survival but specifically the two polar opposites. One side is content with just living, and the other side believes that there’s more to life than that. The one idea they have in common is hope. The verb hope is described by definition as “expecting with confidence” and “cherishing a desire with anticipation”. I wanted to explore these ideas by using cinema as inspiration. For my research I watched and analyzed multiple films such as Station 11, A Quiet Place, Walking Dead and Mazerunner. I was able to create movement by transforming emotions and actual dialogue from the films into choreography. I did this by filming myself doing improvisation based on the cinematic research that I gathered. It is important to address this topic because hope is a healer. It is an universal idea that everyone can relate to. We all face difficult times and rely on hope to see us through.
Course Assignment
DANT 301 – Ozust
Previously Presented/Performed?
Winthrop University Showcase of Undergraduate Research and Creative Endeavors, Rock Hill, SC, April 2023.
Type of Presentation
Performance of my creative work
Start Date
15-4-2023 12:00 PM
The Light at the End of the Tunnel
As a student choreographer, dancer, and performer, I use movement to tell a story through cinematic ideas, almost as if you are watching a movie. I want to use my piece titled, The Light at the End of the Tunnel, to explore the want and need for hope. The central questions of this story in particular are: “When you’ve survived the struggle, what’s next?” and “Is life more than just survival?”. I wanted to explore these questions by setting the piece in an impossible situation; the end of the world. I want to communicate the different ideas of survival but specifically the two polar opposites. One side is content with just living, and the other side believes that there’s more to life than that. The one idea they have in common is hope. The verb hope is described by definition as “expecting with confidence” and “cherishing a desire with anticipation”. I wanted to explore these ideas by using cinema as inspiration. For my research I watched and analyzed multiple films such as Station 11, A Quiet Place, Walking Dead and Mazerunner. I was able to create movement by transforming emotions and actual dialogue from the films into choreography. I did this by filming myself doing improvisation based on the cinematic research that I gathered. It is important to address this topic because hope is a healer. It is an universal idea that everyone can relate to. We all face difficult times and rely on hope to see us through.
