Traveling Village: The Past and Present
Date of Award
8-2026
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
Stefanie Batten Bland
Committee Member
Karen Love
Committee Member
Claire Porter
Abstract
This thesis explores how movement serves as a vessel for history, identity, and cultural memory within the African Diaspora. Through choreographic research, embodied practice, and ethnographic inquiry, it examines the influence of African diasporic traditions on contemporary dance forms, including Hip Hop and postmodern performance. Drawing on personal experience as a Haitian American artist, this work explores the intersections between ancestral movement knowledge and present expressions of resilience and unity. The creative process integrates historical study, community participation, and live performance, revealing how dance functions as both an artistic medium and a means of cultural preservation. By blending reflection, storytelling, and physical exploration, this research highlights dance as a powerful space for remembering, reclaiming, and reimagining connections between past and present across generations.
File Format
MP4
Recommended Citation
Caidor, Joanne, "Traveling Village: The Past and Present" (2026). Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects. 1726.
https://digitalcommons.montclair.edu/etd/1726
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.