​Introduction

How can a college student balance their career and passion? This project is heavily influenced by the dance and film industry, which is the main artistic medium and choice of this proposal. Intersectionality is the main social issue that is mentioned throughout; although this is an issue, the Capstone will display how intersectionality can be conquered. This proposal aims to include personal anecdotes to draw in the audience by creating a documentary style medium; this will illustrate balancing one's academic career and a passion. 

Literature Review

• Artistic Influence – As mentioned, the chosen artistic style will be a documentary style flim. The intended artist will speak for the majority of the film, mentioning the impact of the Capstone and the “slice of life” components. The “slice of life” components will represent the artist’s life through the lens of a camera, which will introduce the dance aspect and how schoolwork is balanced through this passion. This work is influenced by the STEP documentary, which is a movie that highlights Black girls in high school who STEP dance and also successfully balance their academics. The theatrics, enjoyment, amusement, and interviews throughout the documentary are what the project will resemble. 

• Scholarly Influence – Scholarly Influence: When narrowing down and thinking about the main issue of this project, intersectionality is the most significant that is mentioned. Being Black and a woman in this society presents itself as intersectionality since this can be an issue in desiring to pursue a successful career in STEM. In Chapter Ten of the book, “The Challenges of Intersectionality in Education Research,” written by Danyelle T. Ireland and colleagues, mentions this social issue in relation to Black women in STEM education. This chapter mentions the intersection of marginalized groups, which the artist identifies; even though this is an issue, unfortunately, this does not discourage future success. 

• Research Question – How does one balance a future career and passion?

Methods

Throughout the creative process for this Capstone project, there have been many trials and errors. In addition to the literature review, the artists conducted extensive research on Yamilee Toussaint, who is a woman in STEM who also encourages young girls to pursue their passion in dance as well as their career. She has a successful dance studio called “STEM From Dance” that is mainly centered in New York. The artist has also researched many dance documentaries, including “A Ballerina’s Tale,” featuring Misty Copeland, and “AILEY,” which is a famous modern dance group and theater that also originated in New York.

Audience & Impact

The intended audience for this project varies among interest in this particular proposal. This project is for those who have a similar demographic or background as myself, those who are interested or familiar with dance or film, and those who are college students and have similar interests in these mediums. In return, I hope that the intended audience will conclude with the statement that they can pursue their passion while continuing their careers. Significantly, my passion makes me joyous, while my STEM career will support me through life. The intended audience should and can be influenced by the message that their passion matters, and it is not just a hobby. 

References

Ireland, Danyelle T., et al. “(Un)Hidden Figures: A Synthesis of Research Examining the Intersectional Experiences of Black  Women and Girls in STEM Education.” Review of Research in Education, vol. 42, 2018, pp. 226–54. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/44668720.

Nash, Jennifer C. “re-Thinking Intersectionality.” Feminist Review, no. 89, 2008, pp. 1–15. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/40663957.

Acknowledgements

• Arts Scholar Peers 

• Irene Go-Eun Park 

• Heather Bremenstuhl 

• Harold Burgess