ARTISTIC COLLABORATIONS IN THE DIGITAL ERA: EXPLORATORY CASE STUDY ABOUT ONLINE DANCE COLLABORATION WITH DANCERS WITH DOWN SYNDROME

Abstract

Living in a digital era with COVID-19 gives rise to challenges and opportunities for new collaborations. This study features dancers with Down syndrome from a self-advocacy group and a spectator (the researcher), exploring artistic collaborations online. In light of the pandemic, this study acknowledges the virtual space as an apposite medium for dance advocacy. This study is unique in gathering alternative forms of data to focus on dancers with Down syndrome. Permission was granted from the self-advocacy organization for the access of their archival video recordings of Zoom training sessions for this exploratory case study. Using multimodal transcription of one particular video, a thematic analysis was done. Themes generated include: (1) Quality of communication (verbal interaction), (2) Quality of Communication (embodied instruction), (3) Quality of Zoom, (4) Quality of social interaction and (5) Zoom consciousness. This study also reflects on the possible gaps in Zoom technology for dancers with Down syndrome and the usefulness of Zoom technology for research. Through the findings, this study hopes to better equip artistic organizations, professionals and researchers working with persons with cognitive disabilities. It also hopes to contribute to existing knowledge in catering to this population amidst a digital era.