Secrets: A Reclamation of Personal Identity through Dance
Date of Award
5-2026
Document Type
MSU-Only Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Fine Arts (MFA)
College/School
College of the Arts
Department/Program
Theatre and Dance
Thesis Sponsor/Dissertation Chair/Project Chair
Derek Crescenti
Committee Member
Claire Porter
Committee Member
Laurie Abramson
Abstract
My thesis, Secrets: A Reclamation of Personal Identity through Dance, which synthesizes choreographic practice and research, examines how secrets shape the human condition, particularly in relation to social ostracism based on gender and sexual orientation within the dance community. Drawing on historical and cultural references to secretive behavior and gender expectations, particularly in the queer male-identified dance experience, I argue that dance can reclaim lost personal identity. As a queer, male-identifying artist, I am committed to using this academic and creative journey to broaden representation and experience.
File Format
MP4
Recommended Citation
Jacob, Colin, "Secrets: A Reclamation of Personal Identity through Dance" (2026). Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects. 1665.
https://digitalcommons.montclair.edu/etd/1665
written thesis
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Comments
The performance video is restricted to the Montclair State University community but the PDF file of the thesis, which is located at the bottom of the screen, is available to anyone interested in reading it.