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.

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