Finding freedom: dance-making as a lifeline in times of crisis.

This study seeks to understand the impact of a new distance dance-at-home course on South African university students’ quality of life in the era of pandemic. The following research questions guided the enquiry: <italic>What were students’ experiences of this dance-at-home course?</italic> and <italic>How did participation in this dance-at-home course contribute to student wellbeing and connection, during a time of trauma and isolation</italic>? Since online streaming was not a feasible option at this Eastern Cape university, most of the course consisted of dance-making activities students could do alone or with their family members, at home. 48 students volunteered to participate in this study. Reflective journals, questionnaires, and interviews were used as data collection methods. Data revealed that participants in this dance-at-home course experienced a kind of freedom that was transformative and life changing, as it added to their quality of life during a period of trauma and isolation. Through dance-making at home, participants were able to find the freedom within, find the freedom to express their culture, find a lifeline in times of crisis, and find meaningful connection in times of isolation. Implications are that this course can be facilitated in refugee camps and spaces of war, assisting persons to find the freedom within, in times of crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]