Trance in western theatrical dance: Transformation, repetition and skill learning

This article will explore the links between sacred trance dances and the tradition of western theatrical dance by looking at the dance practice of the Turkish contemporary dancer Ziya Azazi. The first part of the article will give an overview of theoretical and methodological approaches to ritual trancing in sociocultural anthropology. The second part will introduce several aspects of trancing in the tradition of western theatrical dance by focusing on Azazi's practice. Finally, the article will discuss the importance of interdisciplinarity in understanding trance, as well as its connections to the growing scholarship on globalization, affect and community.