Creating a Safe Space for Dancers
This has been in my drafts for a long time so... let's just release it!
If you are a choreographer, movement director, educator, or anyone who is leading a group of dancers in a studio or rehearsal process and you care about establishing a space for your dancers to show up and be the brilliant artists that they are, then you need to put in the work to develop a practice with building safety. Because, yes, it must be built. A “safe” space is never guaranteed the minute you walk into any room just because you say it is. You could be the sweetest person in the world but unless you are taking the time to get to know the people who are dancing for you, communicate your working definitions regarding boundaries and consent, then miscommunication can occur. When miscommunication is not properly addressed, the potential for harm grows… and we (read I) don’t want that anymore. So, I have five suggestions or ideas to think about in regards to starting to think about facilitating a safe space in the dance studio you are working in. I’m telling you, I’m telling me…
You are a leader so act like it.
You have to acknowledge that you are in a position of power. By placing yourself at the head of the room, artistic direction, etc., that means that people are looking to you for leadership, a certain level of dependency, and inspiration. Consider naming this out loud to the people you are working with.
Establish an ethos for your rehearsals and/or class:
Who are you as an educator, choreographer, or director? Share this with the dancers. They don’t need to have personal information, but they need a little bit about your process and your approach to creating within dance. Are you working to establish a sense of community? Do you care more about the process vs. product? Vice versa? Do you have a very clear vision and need people to be on board with it? Do you want full or no collaboration?
Compensation
If you are in a process where you are working with professional dancers, I really need you to be very upfront about what you can offer them… from the JUMP! Doesn’t matter if they are family, friends, or acquaintances. Adults need to pay their bills and many of us do that through our art or contributing to other people’s art. Be honest about what you can give them in return. If money is an issue (trust me I understand) you may be surprised by how many people are willing to take a trade. Also, the people that support you include those who are also working for you. They want to see you thrive just as much as the audience. Give back to them by being transparent which leads me to…
Transparency
Tell the dancers that your are nervous, shy, excited, and/or new to this process! Whatever it may be a little bit of vulnerability goes a long way. On two occasions with two different choreographers, each of them shared at the beginning that they were nervous but excited to work with us crop of dancers. Because the truth is we probably were too. Them being the leaders in the space admitting to that allowed us dancers to feel like the playing field evened out. The pieces that grew from that honesty were two of my favorites.
Establish rituals. This may include:
Circling up before and/or after every class or rehearsal
Taking time to establish presence with everyone like going around the room to state names, pronouns* and maybe something else that everyone cares to share. The current dancers at SUNY Purchase
Ending class with claps, snaps, and/or drumming the floor to give thanks to the teacher, director, musician, and the dancers. Give thanks to everyone in the room.
*I highly suggest giving people the option to state their pronouns. Not all of us, especially trans and nonbinary folk, like to share them with everyone (especially people we don’t know) for many different reasons. Some of those reasons can include feeling pressured, not knowing their pronouns, or the good ‘ole general fear of being outed.
Be available to communicate, but have boundaries. This can look like:
-Having specific times and days where you are available to communicate. Some people call this “office hours). I’ve noticed that some choreographers place their office hours in the signature of their email. I love this because it allows me to know
- Having a specific place for your students, dancers to communicate to you. This can include an email, a Whatsapp group, a phone number. Wherever they can call or beep you.
- Having certain times throughout class or rehearsal period where the dancers can communicate to you and give you feedback. I know, this can be a little nerve-wracking if you run anxious like me, but consider feedback being a gift. You will receive information that will be helpful to everyone, including yourself, as you proceed with making work.
-Being aware and considerate that people, including yourself, have real human lives outside of the dance studio. Once your class or rehearsal is over, it is over. Go get a smoothie, kiss your partner, get brunch. Just transition to something else. All artists have to take breaks.
Can’t believe I have to write this but, if a dancer that is working for you gets injured… help them get access to proper healthcare.
And make sure you follow up with what can/ needs to happen next during the artistic process.
These are all just my lonesome passionate thoughts. There are so many more topics to cover that I definitely missed. It would be remiss of me to not state that in the past, when I was a bit younger, I did not practice what I preached above. I had one too many riffs in relationships due to a misplaced sense of self to not hold myself accountable as a budding leader and change my ways. I think that we need to discuss the topic of disrupting and resolving harm in dance more often. I would be a bit embarrassed to admit the amount of times I have wanted to change careers on the mere fact that I have encountered too many doses of harm just within in a dance studio or theater space. It generates so many complicated feelings. Since I am an educator now and I am still in this industry, I feel protective and decided to share two cents.
Here are some fantastic resources that host great content on the subject and more:
Now, go forth, and share this with someone who needs to read it (‘cause I know you know someone who does).