An Introduction to Community Dance Practice

This popular core textbook offers a clear introduction to community dance practice today, preparing students for the realities of employment in this dynamic and widely studied field. The text is edited by a highly-regarded professional with an international reputation for best practice in community dance, and includes chapters written by an expert panel of contributors, comprising dance artists, practitioners and academics. It combines lively discussion with practical advice on the duty of care, inclusive practice and project coordination. With its stimulating range of case studies, interviews and resources, the reader is encouraged to apply the facts and theories to their own practice.

This text is aimed at undergraduate and postgraduate students on Community Dance degree programmes, as well as undergraduate and postgraduate students of Dance, Theatre and Performance Studies who are taking specific courses on Community Dance. It is also accessible to emerging and professional community dance practitioners. 

Foreword.- Preface.- Acknowledgements.- Contributors.- PART I: DEFINITIONS AND CONTEXTS.- Introduction.- 1. Community Dance What's That?; Diane Amans.- 2. Dance in the Community; Sara Houston.- 3. Community Voices; Diane Amans.- PART II: ISSUES AND CHALLENGES.- 4. Love Difference: Why is Diversity Important in Community Dance?; Ken Bartlett.- 5. Whose Voice Is It Anyway?; Louise Katerega.- 6. Reasonable Care; Penny Greenland.- PART III: COMMUNITY DANCE PERFORMANCE.- Introduction.- 7. Community Dance in Performance; Heidi Wilson.- 8. Aiming for Stewardship not Ownership; Rosemary Lee.- 9. Yes, But Is It Dance?; Helen Poynor.- 10. Second Time Open; Adam Benjamin.- PART IV: COMMUNITY DANCE PRACTITIONERS.- 11. The Dynamic Role of the Community Dance Practitioner; Diane Amans.- 12. Getting to Where You Want to Be; Sue Akroyd and Anna Leatherdale.- 13. Career Pathways and Employers' Perspectives; Chris Stenton.- 14. Partnership Working; Diane Amans.- 15. International Dancing Communities; Diane Amans.- PART V: COMMUNITY DANCE DELIVERY.- 16. Planning a Session; Diane Amans.- 17. Meaningful Measurement; Diane Amans.- 18. Project Co-ordination; Diane Amans.- 19. Challenges and Tension Lines; Diane Amans.- Resources.- Glossary.- References.- Index.