Theses and Dissertations

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Browsing Theses and Dissertations by Author "Abbott, Sarah"

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    From gee to haw (and everything in between): Deconstructing the transspecies pidgin of mushing in northern Saskatchewan
    (Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, University of Regina, 2024-07) Doley Barman, Pradeep Ranjan; Oehler, Alex; Abbott, Sarah; Brigham, Mark
    This multispecies ethnography deconstructs the Gee Haw transspecies pidgin of settler origin mushing in Northern Saskatchewan, Canada. Through a focus on multisensory methodological inquiry, I describe interspecies communication and human perceptions around nonhuman knowledge in the context of sled dog racing. This pidgin is a product of biconstructivism which includes motherese (verbal) words rooted in the English language, vocalisation, short phrases for reinforcement, the use of material devices, and training methodologies to shape a multisensory experience of interspecies collaboration. Dogs are considered nonhuman athletes in this hybrid community. They are bred, cared and trained for their “drive”, speed, endurance and the ability to understand commands. The sled dog exchange is explored through the lens of team sports and perceptions around nonhuman “occupation” are explained. This study aims to contribute towards an academic space given to more than human communication by detailing its findings from Gee (right) to Haw (left) and everything in between. Keywords: mushing, pidgin, dog-human communication, nonhuman athletes, haptic sociality
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    SEATBELT: An Integration of Mixed Abilities and Performance and Practice
    (Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, University of Regina, 2020-04) Urkow, Natasha Shirley; Abbott, Sarah; Bracht, Kathryn; Hales, William; Johnston, Kirsty
    This paper is a critical engagement with scholarly research, my thesis play and performance, and personal experience as an actor and artist living with disability. My thesis reflects the influence inequality and segregation within society have on artists with disabilities who so often have to work in ableist performance systems with able-bodied artists. My research focused on finding the best methods to reach integrated performance. There is a negative perception that lingers with the association of disability culture and professional performance. In my arguments, I include disability arts activists, such as Simi Linton and Petra Kuppers, because they speak to the insecurities held by the disabled community and what influences are at the root of the problem. In my play and performance, entitled Seatbelt, I utilize the mediums of theatre and film to influence a wide audience. Artistic work and this paper explore the integration of mixed abilities in performance, the theory of symbolic interactionism, the benefits of qualitative research and embodied communication methods applied in the production process, and the affectivity of writing and devising autobiographical art. Ultimately, I use these tools to argue that professional performance can be achieved successfully when integrating disabled and non-disabled actors/artists, and that it can build a positive reference of equality for the audience, and in turn, influence society to become more inclusive.