Roots of Memory, Branches of Spirit
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
Elizabeth McPherson
Committee Member
Emmanuele Phuon
Committee Member
Apollinaire Scherr
Abstract
Roots of Memory, Branches of Spirit examines hula as a living practice that preserves Hawaiian cultural memory and serves as a form of spiritual expression. Informed by my own experience as a practitioner of hula, by the lives and teachings of my mother and grandmother, and by research and collaboration with other experts in the field of Hawaiian culture and dance, this project comprises three works that trace the intergenerational transmission of hula in my family. Together, these works form an embodied family archive that preserves our cultural knowledge and spiritual values. This thesis documents the research and creative processes that shaped Roots/Branches and reflects on hula as a vital force in sustaining Hawaiian cultural continuity.
File Format
MP4
Recommended Citation
Podzikowski, Ryan, "Roots of Memory, Branches of Spirit" (2026). Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects. 1668.
https://digitalcommons.montclair.edu/etd/1668
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.