In collaboration with Curt Holman, “She Used to Be Mine” was a choreographic exploration of creativity, emotional expression, and physical ability. This solo performance piece was featured in Brigham Young University’s Touring Company show, “Rhythm”, and was performed and competed throughout the United States, ultimately earning the national title of Amateur Cabaret Champions. My dance partner, Katey Stolle, and I performed the work, engaging in extensive training to refine both technical execution and artistic interpretation. As a scholarly investigation, the choreographic process examined the embodiment of emotion and its transmission through movement, both individually and in partnership. The work explored how creative movement not only serves as a form of self-expression but also facilitates emotional engagement for the audience.

Furthermore, the process emphasized the nuanced relationship between intention and execution, considering how bodily articulation, spatial dynamics, and partnering techniques contribute to meaning-making in dance. We explored the impact of weight-sharing, counterbalance, and elevation changes on the emotional tone of the piece, particularly in how the shifting dynamics between base and flyer roles could reflect vulnerability, trust, and resilience. By integrating these physical explorations with expressive intent, the work sought to push the boundaries of conventional ballroom technique, demonstrating how cabaret-style choreography can function as a vehicle for both narrative and abstract emotional storytelling.