Articles from the ‘Essays’ collection

A dancer wearing white lunges onstage with hands gently extended to their sides. The dancer looks up.

A Glimpse into Disability Dance Artistry in Another Corner of the World

Stance on Dance editor Emmaly Wiederholt reflects on her opportunity to attend the Korea International Accessible Dance Festival (KIADA) in November 2022.

Aiano demonstrates a reach upward and backward with their other hand on their stomach. Students in the mirror behind her watch and follow.

Coming Home

Aiano Nakagawa, a dance artist, educator, facilitator, writer, and event producer in the Bay Area, shares their story confronting and overcoming their body image inner demons.

West walks in a traditional red and black garb carrying a shell above his head. He walks on dirt with a forest in the background. Another dancer is in the background.

From the Village to the World and Back

Nikhita Winkler profiles Vetunjona “West” Uarije, a Namibian dancer and cultural practitioner who shares how dance connects him to his roots to heal a painful past and reintegrate a strong cultural identity.

A clown mask with a headband reading "fraud nation" set among dried grasses.

Pretendians in Dance

Snowflake Arizmendi-Calvert, a performance artist based in the Bay Area, discusses the problem of pretendians (people pretending to be Indians) in dance, and how folks can learn to advocate for Indigenous artists.

Michelle in a deep penchee with a partner. She is wearing a yellow tutu and dancers in white tutus move behind her.

A Ballet Dancer’s Journey to Loving Herself

Michelle Chaviano, a ballet dancer with Ballet North Texas, reflects on her harrowing journey with body dysmorphia and disordered eating as a young student at English National Ballet School.