Date of Defense
11-25-2025
Date of Graduation
5-2026
Department
Dance
First Advisor
Seyong Kim
Second Advisor
Carolyn Pavlik
Abstract
Chasing Shadows is a self-choreographed contemporary ballet solo that was presented at the BA Capstone Presentations in November of 2025. This solo serves as my final project in completion of my Bachelor of Arts in Dance at Western Michigan University. The creation of this work reflects not only my artistic growth throughout my college experience, but also the transformation I have experienced as both a dancer and an individual.
Before attending Western Michigan University, my training was primarily rooted in classical ballet. While ballet continues to be the technical foundation of my movement, my education at WMU introduced me to a wide range of dance styles, creative processes, and artistic perspectives that expanded my understanding of what dance can be. The dance department challenged me to move beyond the structure and expectations I was familiar with, allowing me to develop versatility as a performer and confidence in my own artistic voice. Through coursework, performances, and opportunities outside of the university, I have refined my technique, broadened my knowledge of dance, and gained a deeper appreciation for movement as a form of storytelling and self-expression.
I choreographed Chasing Shadows as a culmination of these experiences and as a reflection of my personal journey throughout college. The piece explores the idea of becoming who you are while still acknowledging who you once were. As people move through life, they continuously shift and evolve into different versions of themselves, often becoming someone they never expected to be. Entering my senior year brought many questions surrounding identity, change, and the future. This work asks whether we learn to accept the person we are becoming or continue chasing the shadow of who we used to be.
Recommended Citation
Anderson, Charlotte, "Chasing Shadows" (2025). Honors Theses. 4078.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/honors_theses/4078
Access Setting
Honors Thesis-Restricted
Restricted to Campus until
6-24-2027
Capstone Dress