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.

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 and the USA. Michael is a Research Associate for the Pina Bausch Foundation and holds a certificate in Mediation and Conflict Management. He lives in Cologne.