Final answer:
Partner dances like gumboot dancing and yard steppin' allow dancers and audiences to interact through formations such as circles, with early performances often taking place in communal spaces where the audience surrounds the dancers.
Step-by-step explanation:
Partner dances that encompass movement around the room are observed in various social and performance settings, incorporating organized formations such as long sets and circles. This is evident in both gumboot dancing and yard steppin', which are historically rooted within the Witwatersrand mining communities and at Howard University, respectively. These dance styles engage the audience by setting the performances in or around circles, either with the audience forming an active part of the performance space or with dancers entering and exiting from a circle. In gumboot dancing, early photographs show performers encircled by audiences, integrating the viewers into the experience. Similarly, yard steppin' documented at Howard University displays students performing within an audience-created circle, marking not only a performance technique but also a communal participation element.