Who Pays for Dance? — Choreographic Reflections on Audience Empathy and Work Interactivity
Kookmin University
Kookmin University
Abstract
While contemporary dance creation continues to innovate in visual form and technical expression, the question of whether audiences are truly engaged—whether they "buy in"—has become increasingly prominent. This paper explores how dance works can establish meaningful connections with audiences through mechanisms of empathy and interactivity. Focusing on sensory stimulation, emotional projection, and the co-construction of meaning, the study examines how choreographic strategies such as spatial design, intentional ambiguity in movement, and immersive staging contribute to audience resonance and participation.
Drawing on case studies including Encore Dunhuang, Henan Only, and Alpha, the analysis reveals that the most impactful dance works are not necessarily the most technically complex, but those that are able to “see” the audience on an emotional level. These works transform dance from a choreographer’s monologue into a dialogic, affective exchange between artist and viewer.
Keywords:
Dance Creation; Audience Empathy; InteractivityCopyright Notice & License:
All articles published in Global Review of Humanities, Arts, and Society (GRHAS) are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
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