Watch DT+ Teacher Talk: “Consent Practices in Dance Education”

In this DT+ Teacher Talk, Pointe‘s editor in chief, Amy Brandt, is joined by Central Michigan University faculty members Elaine DiFalco Daugherty, assistant professor in the Department of Theatre and Dance, and Heather Trommer-Beardslee, associate professor of dance and Dance Program coordinator, to discuss how dance educators can make the classroom environment safer and more respectful by implementing consent practices.

Takeaways for Teachers

Consent means “humans first.” Placing the autonomy of your students ahead of your personal goals for them shows respect and compassion.

Presence does not equal permission. Historically in the dance world, students’ presence in class implied that teachers could manipulate their bodies as needed. Let go of that idea and instead begin each session by asking whether students would like to be touched.

Be prepared to pivot. It’s your responsibility to provide equitable instruction to each student in your class. Plan ahead, so that if a student says no to touch, you have other tools at the ready. Hands-free teaching tactics include imagery, mirroring, self-modeling, and using props to allow dancers to experience sensation without direct contact. 

Check in repeatedly. Students might feel differently about their bodies and about being touched from one day to the next. Giving them the opportunity to reconfirm consent reinforces that their autonomy matters.

Model learning and growth. If you make a mistake, apologize. Updating your pedagogy takes time and effort, but “hard isn’t bad,” says Trommer-Beardslee. “Hard is just hard.”

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