Fall, Flow, and Force: An Exploration of the Physical Aspects of Water within Embodied Dance Performance / Skylar Draper (2025)

This research investigates how the physical characteristics of water—fall, flow, and force—can be embodied and expressed through contemporary dance performance. Utilizing a Practice as Research (PaR) methodology, the project draws on phenomenological inquiry and lived experience to generate movement that arises from sensation. Working collaboratively with three dancers, the process involved improvisation, rehearsal, reflection, and choreographic development, with water-based qualities explored through movement such as rolling, rippling, and waving. Site-specific experiences in open water, video documentation, and participant feedback enriched the movement vocabulary and supported the development of a shared, embodied understanding of water’s physicality. Flow was conceptualized as a state of sensation rather than visual continuity, achieved through extended rehearsal periods, conscious rehearsal structuring, and a temporary removal of mirrors. Music was selected post-choreography to support, rather than dictate, the emotional and thematic content. Films were projected during the live performance which worked to visualize some of the experiences and qualities of water for the audience to see. This project highlights the body’s capacity to interpret and reimagine natural elements through movement, revealing how embodied dance practices can offer profound insight into the physical and emotional landscapes of water.