soft underbelly: Performing Queer Softness Through the Physical and the Psychological Open Access

Abstract

Queer people embody a breadth of qualities that surpass gender and sexuality labels. Softness and tenderness are ever present in queer masculinity, particularly in one-on-one interactions between partners, close friends, and chosen family. Additionally, gender presentation affects self-care and serves as a queer person’s modality to create and express the person they want to be. Gender is a performance, just like dance, that highlights how queer people shape their personas.

This choreographic research examined themes of vulnerability, tenderness, comfort, support, and self-care in queer bodies. Using movement generation scores, music analysis, conversations with queer artists, and collaborative experimentation, the choreographer invested in a collaborative artistic process and the development of intention with movement. The individual journeys of each dancer reflected their distinct connections with softness and masculinity. Through the creation and performance of soft underbelly, seven queer dancers discovered how to perform these themes and create an environment where one can bare all.

Table of Contents

I. INTRODUCTION..........................................................................................................................1

II. RESEARCH & INSPIRATIONS......................................................................................................2

III. PROCESS: GENERATING, COMPOSING, DRAFTING.....................................................................6

     Fall 2023 Rehearsals...................................................................................................................6

     Madison’s Solo.........................................................................................................................12

     Previous Processes: unni...........................................................................................................15

     Spring 2024 Rehearsals.............................................................................................................17

IV. COSTUMES.............................................................................................................................32

V. CONCLUSION..........................................................................................................................33

     Audience Feedback..................................................................................................................33

     Dancer Feedback.....................................................................................................................34

     Reflections and Outcomes........................................................................................................37

VI. APPENDICES.........................................................................................................................39

     Concert Poster........................................................................................................................39

     Concert Program.....................................................................................................................40

     Solo Notes and Journal Pages...................................................................................................42

     Costumes...............................................................................................................................49

Bibliography...............................................................................................................................50

About this Honors Thesis

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School	Emory College
Department	Dance and Movement Studies
Degree	B.B.A.
Submission	Honors Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Performing Arts Gender Studies Dance
Keyword	Softness Lesbian Gender Studies Choreography Performance Dance Masculinity Queer
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Teague, Lori, Emory University
Committee Members	Medina, Julio, Emory University Rackliffe, Usha, Emory University

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