Not every senior thesis is created in the carrels of Firestone Library. These days, Hagan Dance Studio at 185 Nassau is filled with lighting equipment, ladders and sets as seniors in the dance program prepare for the showing of their creative dance theses.
"We have three people doing a dance thesis this year," says Becca Lemme '02. "Normally we're lucky if we get one."
Lemme, along with senior Christine Lee, will be presenting an evening of original choreography this weekend at 185 Nassau. (Senior Nic Petry is the last of the dance theses, as his will be performed May 1 and 2, also at 185.)
A creative thesis is most certainly not to be confused with an easy thesis. Both girls have been preparing for this evening since the beginning of the semester. In addition to the performance, they have also completed written components of their theses.
"When I first started, it was scary knowing I had to create a whole evening of dance on one topic," admits Lemme. However, she adds, "the more I've been doing it, the clearer my purpose and direction have become."
Lemme drew inspiration from a trio she choreographed for the Dance Program's February concert, which was based on social structure and finding support in unexpected areas. "I wanted to elaborate on that idea. I used it as a seed and developed a more concrete theme, expanding it into many pieces," she explains.
Working with seven dancers on six pieces, Lemme examines the contrast between structure and discord. "Even in what seems the most structured system, there is always underlying chaos," says Lemme. "I want to extend this comparison to its manifestation in interpersonal relationships."
Comprised of two group pieces, a solo, two duets, and a trio, Lemme's program approaches the theme from a variety of angles. The accompanying music ranges from Radiohead to Biork to the soundtrack from "Fight Club." Says Lemme, "I have an eclectic mix of music. I want to challenge the audience to [ask] how is this connected and what is going on."
Before coming to Princeton, Lemme had extensive ballet training but little exposure to modern dance. It was the Princeton Dance Program and BodyHype that introduced her to new styles of movement. "I hated modern dance and thought it was ugly," says Lemme, grinning. "My first choreography class was a complete disaster. I had no idea what I was doing."
In fact, upon her arrival at Princeton, Lemme had no intentions whatsoever of continuing dance. "Coming here, I never would have imagined that I would be doing a modern dance thesis at all because I didn't think I would dance when I got to Princeton," she explains.
Lemme looks back at her time at Princeton in wonder. "It's amazing to me how far I've come in these four years just in looking at dance," she says. "It's gone from being a task to something I love to do and want to do in the future."
After a quick pause Lemme adds with satisfaction, "And I'm not even looking for a real job because it's not something I want to do at this point."
Lemme is in fact auditioning for professional dance companies — and modern dance companies at that.
"Maybe I'd even like to form a dance company of my own one day," she says. "A dream for the future."
Until then, she has her present accomplishments to celebrate. "Just being able to say I created a whole evening of dance in college — I put on a show and I was in charge of it. It's a rewarding experience," she says.
Another senior with four years of Princeton dance experience to draw on is Christine Lee, who will share the evening with Lemme. Unlike Lemme who is an English major with a concentration in dance, Lee's choice to put on a creative thesis was entirely voluntary and unrelated to the thesis she recently handed in.
"Sometimes I think, 'What have I gotten myself into!'" exclaims Lee as she reviews a list of things to do, "but this has been a wonderful opportunity."
Lee's work looks at the female body as an object on display. "It's not that in-your-face," Lee is quick to add. "More on an abstract level."
Five women dance in a total of two trios and two solos (both of which are performed by Lee herself). "There is personal basis in what I'm doing but I'm also exploring ideas through movement," says Lee.
The pieces, choreographed to music by Sonic Youth, Rasputina and Michael Nyman, are loosely strung together. Says Lee, "Each piece can stand alone but the theme flows through them all."
Like Lemme, some of Lee's pieces are based on past choreography done through the Dance Program.
"This is scarier," says Lee, "because there isn't the environment where you work on the same piece for weeks on end. Now you're trying to work on three pieces at once and teach it right away without having time to look at it." After thinking for a moment, she adds, "It's definitely independent work."
Although Lee came to Princeton with a solid foundation in modern dance, learning to choreograph at Princeton was an eye-opening experience. "I didn't realize how much movement was in my body. Right away, I wanted to make a real piece, but I realized that it's a process."
At the end of her Princeton career, Lee feels she has gained from this process. "I have found a voice and a personal style. I've found ways my body can move, something I never explored before," she explains.
A Creative Writing student in the English Department, Lee finds similarities between creating stories and creating dance. "I write short stories — it's like a solo," she says, "I get so engrossed in it and it's hard to tell where I'm going 'cause I'm so enmeshed in the work."
Working with a large group of dancers, Lee is now able to step outside her work. "Now I can see it on other people, on other bodies," she says, quickly adding with enthusiasm, "it's my favorite thing, at the end of rehearsal, seeing what you have taught and created."
Lee plans to attend graduate school for creative writing but has no plans for giving up dance. "I want to continue dancing but it will definitely be something more personal rather than a career choice. Dance will be a part of me for the rest of my life" says Lee.
As Lemme says of the production, "It's free. Come take advantage — two theses for the price of one."
After a pause she smiles. "Well, since it's free, I guess there's no price in the first place." But come anyway.
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