-
Title
-
The Dance:
A One-Act Play Exploring Emotional Abuse Through Non-Linear Storytelling
-
Creator
-
Grace Sayles
-
Exit Requirement
-
Undergraduate Honors Thesis/Project
-
Date of Award
-
6/27/2026
-
Honors Program Director
-
Gavin Keulks
-
Abstract
-
The Dance is a one-act play that aims to explore and showcase the harsh realities of codependency and the progressive development of emotional abuse within romantic relationships. The play takes the audience through the relationship between Leya and Keenan, using a non-linear storytelling format to highlight the evolution of their behaviors and abuse. Based on one of my previous works from high school, this thesis project provided me the opportunity to explore trauma-informed storytelling and use theatre as a medium to start a conversation about important, misunderstood issues. The creation of this play was preceded by my own research into the broader topic to ensure I could accurately portray the complexity of those dynamics with the proper scholarly context, as well as an analysis of my creative influences for the project. The culmination of this project also includes my reflective insights into the process, the struggles encountered, and the changes made along the way. I hope my story helps people who have experienced similar situations to remember that they are not alone and that they have the power to keep pushing forward.
-
Type
-
Text
-
Department
-
Honors
-
Language
-
eng
-
Rights
-
https://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en
-
Western Oregon University Library has determined, as of 10/07/2026, this item is in copyright, which is held by the author. Users may use the item in accordance with copyright limitations and exceptions, including fair use. For other uses, please ask permission from the author.
-
Identifier
-
honors_100726f
