Date of Award

5-2026

Thesis Date

5-26-2026

Degree Type

Honors Thesis-Unrestricted

Degree Name

B.A.

Department

Film and Theatre

Degree Program

Film and Theatre Arts

Director

Kevin Griffith

Abstract

Somatic practice in performance can transform culture, politics, and society. Dismantling social systems that spread systemic trauma can be achieved by repatterning our social choreography, replacing old systems with mutual aid and community support.

This paper touches upon a decade of personal and communal somatic practice and research. I experienced and witnessed a universal struggle between humans and the oppressive forces embedded in societal norms and was driven to restructure these norms in honor of self and the world through art. The “Since when…?” project culminated in 7 research laboratories where participants engaged in open and guided forms of somatic practices.

My roles as both research facilitator and participating subject were essential. My personal healing journey through somatic practices became an existential calling. Rebuilding the systems of this research became its own laboratory. The need to restructure my process and method reflected the urgency for restructuring societal systems.

This project aims to spread World Peace through somatic, interactive, ritualistic performance installations in public spaces.

Rights

The University of New Orleans and its agents retain the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible this honors thesis in whole or part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. The author retains all other ownership rights to the copyright of the honors thesis.

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