Dance Scholars: Dance and Social Justice

Dance scholars play a crucial role in promoting social justice by conducting research that explores the ways in which dance can be used to address social issues, raise awareness, and promote change.

Dance can be used as a powerful tool for social justice by providing a platform for marginalized voices to be heard, challenging stereotypes and promoting understanding, and creating a sense of community and solidarity.

Susan Leigh Foster is a renowned dance scholar whose work focuses on the relationship between dance and social justice. She has written extensively on topics such as the politics of dance, the body, and representation.

Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company is a contemporary dance company founded by Bill T. Jones and Arnie Zane in 1982. The company is known for its commitment to social justice and its exploration of issues such as race, gender, and sexuality.

Brenda Dixon Gottschild is a dance scholar and author who has written extensively about the history of African American dance. Her book "Digging the Africanist Presence in American Performance" is a seminal work in the field.

The Social Justice Dance Festival is an annual festival that showcases works that address social justice issues. The festival was founded in 2016 by dancer and choreographer Jawole Willa Jo Zollar.

Jennifer Fisher is a dance scholar and author who has written extensively about the relationship between dance and activism. Her book "Moving Against the System: The Story of a Dance Collective" tells the story of the Dance Collective, a group of dancers who used their art to protest the Vietnam War.

Dance Theatre of Harlem was founded in 1969 by a group of dancers who were committed to using dance to address social issues. The company has a long history of performing works that explore issues such as race, poverty, and social justice.

Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak is a literary critic and theorist who has written about the role of dance in creating social change. Her essay "Can the Subaltern Speak?" explores the ways in which dance can be used to give voice to the marginalized and oppressed.

Pilobolus is a contemporary dance company that was founded in 1971 by a group of dancers who were committed to using dance to promote peace and understanding. The company has a long history of performing works that explore issues such as war, poverty, and social justice.

Judith Butler is a philosopher and gender theorist who has written extensively about the relationship between dance and the body. Her book "Gender Trouble" explores the ways in which dance can be used to challenge traditional notions of gender and identity.

Urban Bush Women is a contemporary dance company that was founded in 1984 by a group of dancers who were committed to using dance to promote social justice. The company has a long history of performing works that explore issues such as race, gender, and poverty.

bell hooks is a cultural critic, feminist, and author who has written extensively about the relationship between dance and community. Her book "Dancing in the Spirit" explores the ways in which dance can be used to create a sense of community and belonging.

Shen Wei Dance Arts is a contemporary dance company that was founded in 1996 by dancer and choreographer Shen Wei. The company is known for its unique blend of Eastern and Western dance techniques and its commitment to promoting cultural understanding.

Homi K. Bhabha is a cultural theorist and postcolonial critic who has written extensively about the relationship between dance and identity. His book "The Location of Culture" explores the ways in which dance can be used to construct and negotiate identity.