Choreographing Beyond the Dancer: The Agency of Matter as an Ecodramaturgical Tool in Dance Performance

Abstract

This thesis explores how the agency of matter can function as an ecodramaturgical tool in choreography, challenging traditional, human-centered perspectives in dance. Ecodramaturgy integrates ecological principles into performance-making, emphasizing interconnectedness and distributed agency among human and non-human forces. This research addresses the research question: How can the agency of matter be used as an ecodramaturgical tool in choreography? To explore this question, I examine two contemporary performances: Vento (2020) by Groupe ZUR and ULTRA (2023) by Nicola Galli. Both case studies exemplify the integration of non-human elements, such as wind and grit, as active participants within the choreography. By employing an ecodramaturgical framework expanded with the notion of agency of matter, the analysis reveals how these performances reimagine the role of matter as a co-creator rather than a passive backdrop. This thesis introduces three interrelated sub- concepts — distributed agency, co-creation, and co-existence — to frame how matter influences and is influenced within performance-making. The findings conclude that choreography shaped by the agency of matter disrupts anthropocentric paradigms, positioning matter as a dynamic, performative force that co- creates meaning and movement alongside human performers. By offering an ecologically attuned perspective on choreography, this research contributes to the field of ecodramaturgy, expanding its theoretical framework with the agency of matter to integrate ecological perspectives into performance-making.