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.