The work being done in this capstone felt significant because it was encouragement for people to be who they are and embody themselves in a medium that has greatly impacted their lives. This work did not just apply to the five people in the Cohort, there were many other black students on campus that have also contributed to building dance as a sanctuary space, as they live their truest selves through movement. It would be a disservice to only extend this process to just these five people.This inspired me to create an extended space that would allow me to uplift more black bodies that have cultivated dance reputations at Wesleyan. 

 

I wanted to create a mini version of the solo work that would occur with the Cohort for more black students on campus. I considered how a gallery-like space could create an environment that would exist beyond the stage. 

 

I decided to create an installation that would showcase the process of building Mini Solos made by other black students apart from the Cohort.  The installation would consist of videos, photos, audio recordings of the process of each Mini Soloist. It would open during the week of the show in the Zelnick Pavilion and remain open to the public until the end of the week for the last performance. I reached out to 9 additional student dancers and after setting up individual 20-minute time blocks to construct movement, I had a solidified cast of Mini Soloists.