Date of Defense
11-13-2025
Date of Graduation
5-2026
Department
Dance
First Advisor
Whitney Moncrief
Second Advisor
Carolyn Pavlik
Abstract
This dance-for-camera project explores the age-old question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Using a mix of interviews, choreography, and 70s-inspired sound, the project highlights women stepping into male-dominated spaces and reclaiming their power, creativity, and confidence on and off the stage. Ultimately, it serves as a celebration of self-expression and a reminder that identity is something we define for ourselves, not something the world decides for us.
The work is approximately five minutes in length and combines contemporary dance, pedestrian movement, and multimedia editing to create a layered performance for the camera. The project features interview clips from nine young girls and women responding to the central question, alongside footage of four peers actively pursuing their chosen fields. Then five dancers carry the story dressed in black bottoms and colored tops, who function as muses and physical representations of pressure, resilience, ambition, and self-discovery.
Visually, the environment shifts between staged spotlight sequences and real-world settings, emphasizing the contrast between internal identity and external expectations. Filmed specifically for the camera, the work uses editing, sound, and framing to weave together personal narrative and movement, creating an intimate and reflective viewing experience.
This project is grounded in both personal and academic exploration. As a double major in dance and marketing, the artist is interested in how media and movement can spark dialogue around identity and representation. From a feminist perspective, the piece amplifies women’s voices and challenges the expectations placed on them from an early age. The final work contributes to an ongoing cultural conversation about identity, self-determination, and the freedom to define one’s own path.
Recommended Citation
Meller, Paris, "Becoming Her" (2025). Honors Theses. 4099.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/honors_theses/4099
Access Setting
Honors Thesis-Open Access
Thesis Bib
Capstone - Becoming Her By_ Paris Meller_X.mp4 (295843 kB)
Capstone - Becoming Her