Defendit Numerus: Using Dance to Analyze the Creation of Communities for Self-Preservation

Though often viewed as a positive aspect of past, modern, and future interpersonal interaction, communities can be viewed under a microscope as a tool used by the human species to preserve oneself. Communities are used as a safety tool to assure the longevity of an individual. As a dancer and dancemaker, taking part in the art of dance challenges one's perception of large groups of bodies taking up space. Following a global pandemic, dancers and people alike were forced to find communities of much smaller sizes to appease the need to interact with other people. This caused the creation of safety pods and the urge to connect with others in ways that were not always favored. How did individuals suffer from a lack of interpersonal connection? Does the need for communities highlight a higher level of codependency amongst individuals who prefer relying on communities? Is this morally wrong? This thesis uses research obtained from ethical theories, travel research, and movement research to determine whether or not this action is morally right or wrong. This thesis uses an ethnographic style of writing to navigate through the creative process of dancemaking for an evening-length dance show, further analyzing the individual need for communities. This reflective writing defends the thesis and includes new revelations on the topic of communities and self-preservation.