1st Edition
The Dancer's Handbook A Practical Guide to Reimagining Dance, Body, and Society by OFEN Co-Arts
The Dancer’s Handbook offers a holistic exploration of the dance industry's challenges, authored by dancers intimately familiar with its complexities.
This comprehensive resource tackles themes like power dynamics, hierarchical structures, and the pervasive influences of capitalism, patriarchy, and white supremacy as the “status quo” in the arts. This book delves into dismantling the status quo, examining its manifestations in the body and mind of dancers, and advocates for wellbeing and self-worth in the workplace as the way of change. Psychological aspects, coping mechanisms, and the importance of rest are addressed alongside discussions on ethical engagement, consent, and the democratisation of workplace behaviour through co-authored principles of practice. The final chapters empower dancers to find their voice, offering structured communication strategies to confront transgressive behaviours and foster accountability.
With insights from years of reimagining working conditions, this book serves as a beacon for positive change, urging dancers and dance-related professionals to challenge norms, prioritise wellbeing, and speak up to power.
Forward
Acknowledgements
Introduction
What is in This Book?
What is Not in This Book?
Good to Know
How To Use This Book
CHAPTER 1 – Beyond the Status Quo
The Status Quo
Power
Hierarchy
Meritocracy
Capitalism
White Supremacy
Patriarchy
Privilege
Beyond The Status Quo
CHAPTER 2 – Greater than Body as Instrument
The Status Quo of the Body
Unlearning Capitalism on the Body in Dance
Pleasure as a Choice
Rest and Effort
Working with Menstrual Cycles and Periods
Body Image
Body Shame
CHAPTER 3 – Magnifying focus on the Mind
The Status Quo of the Mind in Dance
Unlearning Capitalism on the Mind in Dance
Obedience
Conformity
The Bystander Effect
Discrimination and Prejudice
Burn Out
Mental Health and Periods
Uncertainty
Aggression and Sexual Misconduct
Financial Stress
Emotions
Coping Behaviours
Depressive Disorders
Anxiety Disorders
Eating Disorders
Emotional Disclosure
"I Am a Dancer" - Overidentifying with Work
Saying "No"
Why Self-Care Can Be Overused
Rest
CHAPTER 4 – Valuing Yourself in the Workplace
The Status Quo of Who and what is Valued in the Workplace
A Note on Self-Value
Values
Motivation
Needs
Finding Pleasure in Work
How I Want to Feel
Fun
How I Want to Work
Menstrual Cycles and Work
Scheduling
When to Leave a Job
When to Take a Job
Checklist for Contracts
Choreography as Social Practice
CHAPTER 5 – Developing Ethical Engagement
The Status Quo of Engagement
Communication
New Forms of Feedback
Consent
Creating a Group Principles of Practice (POP)
CHAPTER 6 – Expanding Voice to be Heard
The Status Quo of Voice
Voice
Silence
Responding to Transgressive Behaviour
Document What Happened
Do You Want to Speak Up?
Internal Procedures
External procedures
Lateral Voice
Staying Silent
Speaking Up Script
Epilogue
Appendix
About Us - Gala, Michael and OFEN Co-Arts
Over to you – Complete task list by chapter
Index
Biography
Gala Moody is a professional contemporary dancer, activist, and writer. She has worked with Ultima Vez/Wim Vandekeybus, Luca Guadagnino, Jean-Paul Goude, Nicolas Winding Refn, Paul Thomas Anderson, Romeo Castellucci, Yael Bartana, and others. As a founding member of the artist-led Engagement Arts Brussels, she has fought against sexism and sexual harassment in the arts. Through OFEN Co-Arts, Gala promotes ethical working conditions for dancers, trials practical solutions, mentors dancers, consults at larger dance companies, and educates wider awareness. She is a trained confidant for freelance artists and lives in Brussels.
Michael Carter is a dancer, director, researcher, and writer. He has worked with the Australian Ballet Company, Spain’s Compañía Nacional de Danza, and Germany’s Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch, alongside extensive freelance work in diverse dance spaces. As co-founder of OFEN Co-Arts, he has created dance works for stage, student symposiums, workshops on speaking up to power, and collaborative resources with activist groups across Europe. Michael is a research associate for the Pina Bausch Foundation and holds a certificate in Mediation and Conflict Management. He lives in the Basque Country, Spain.
