The Dancer’s Handbook
A Practical Guide to Reimagining Dance, Body, and Society by OFEN Co-Arts
By Gala Moody and Michael Carter
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About the book
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.
Bibliographic information
Title: The Dancer’s Handbook: A Practical Guide to Reimagining Dance, Body, and Society by OFEN Co-Arts
Routledge Advances in Theatre & Performance Studies
Authors: Gala Moody, Michael Carter
Publisher: Taylor & Francis, 2025
ISBN: 1040297455, 9781040297452
Length: 240 pages
Subjects: Performing arts, dance,
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Dancer’s HandBook about?
Have you felt stuck in your career with directors who are toxic, work conditions that leave you feeling flat, and a feeling that the industry is stuck in it’s ways? Then this handbook was written for you, it ultimately shows you the many options you have available to you that will help you in these circumstances.
Who wrote the book?
We did! We are Gala and Michael, the co-directors of OFEN Co-Arts.
When did we release the Handbook?
The Dancer’s Handbook was released in February 2025 and launched as part of the Kunstenfestival Desarts in Brussels in May 2025.
Are we available to talk about the book?
We love talking about the book! Send us an email and let us know what you have in mind. Currently, we give talks at universities to introduce concepts in the book to students, and we give talks at festivals also.
