The Embodied Work of Professional Dancers: Understandings of Pain, Injury and Health

This qualitative study explores how the health and wellness of workers in a relatively low status physical occupation - - in this case professional dancers in Western Canada - - is understood, managed and negotiated within its specific occupational culture. These embodied workers are at risk of pain, injury and other body-related issues, including image and eating issues, in the pursuit of career goals. In-depth interviews with professional theatrical dancers employed in company settings and working as independent artists, and a limited number of clinicians who treat dancers, were conducted. Drawing upon literature from the sociology of dance, sport, health and illness, and work, and framing the discussion in terms of the dramaturgical, phenomenological, and art world perspectives, this project details the lived, embodied experiences of this specific group of workers. A number of important themes (e.g., how pain and injury are hidden and downplayed in a culture of risk, how impressions and potential stigmas related to damaged bodies are managed, how embodied identity is impacted by injury experiences, and how the relationship between dancers and clinicians is negotiated) are explored.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts (MA)

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Sociology

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Graduate Studies

Year dc:date.issued

2012

Author dc:creator

• McEwen, Krista

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Young, Kevin

• Sociology

Statement dc:rights

• University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.

Language dc:language.iso

eng

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/28123

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:ucalgary.scholaris.ca:11023/222