Cheyla Clawson

Cheyla Clawson is the Director of the School of Performing Arts and an Associate Professor of Dance at Wichita State University. Her work bridges choreography, sociology, and interdisciplinary collaboration, focusing on visceral human experiences and their broader societal implications. She explores themes such as vulnerability, gender, race, technology, and bodily presence through immersive performances that engage audiences as active participants.

Her research interests emphasize the intersection of movement with sociocultural issues, using dance to transcend emotional and conceptual boundaries. She facilitates dialogues post-performance to spark conversations about identity and communication. Clawson’s personal history—including adoption and loss—fuels her art, which seeks to transform intimate narratives into communal reflections.

Areas of professional service and teaching include sociological inquiry within dance, interdisciplinary performance methodologies, and community-based artistic practices. She actively contributes to academic and creative initiatives at Wichita State, though specific grants or labs are not detailed in the provided text.