CALL FOR PAPER

EMBODYING POWER: WORK OVER TIME

JOINT CONFERENCE OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR THEATRE RESEARCH, THE THEATRE LIBRARY ASSOCIATION, AND THE CONGRESS ON RESEARCH IN DANCE

Seattle, WA, 18-21 November 2010, The Renaissance Seattle Hotel

Working Session Call for Papers
Title of Working Session : Dance and the Power of Aging: Embodiment at the intersection of nature and culture

With the exception of a number of high profile performers such as the late Margot Fonteyn, Sylvie Guillem and Mikhail Baryshnikov, dancing for the working professional is understood to be largely a young person's occupation. As research indicates, the average age of retirement from professional dancing is between the ages of twenty-six and thirty-four (Wainwright and Williams 2005, Laws 2005). Contradicting this phenomenon of early retirement, recent exercise science research has pointed towards a far longer physiological longevity for professional dancers, suggesting a dancer's physiology can cope with contemporary performance demands well in excess of actual retirement ages (Koutedakis and Jamurtas 2004; Wyon, Head et al. 2004; Wyon 2005; Wyon 2009). Looking at these current findings in exercise science, this working session opens up discussions on how sociality plays a far more complex and powerful role in determining what is often understood as a strictly physiological event. While there are pockets of research into the effects of aging and dance in the medical humanities (Wainwright and Turner 2003, 2006), performance studies disciplines have largely ignored the issue of aging and performance (Woodward 2006). In dance studies this is particularly surprising given that dance has a dramatically age influenced aesthetic. This working session looks to advance new avenues of intellectual examination, inviting a more complex negotiation of the
power of aging.

Format of Working Session
The organisers of this working session (Frances Clarke, Victoria Thoms and Matt Wyon) want to encourage cross disciplinary investigations into the scientific and cultural grounds of our understanding of aging in the performing arts. The breadth of possible perspectives and standpoints that this topic invites, including not only differing disciplinary points of view but also the impact of such forces as gender, race and class, opens up an exciting range of research possibilities. To this end, paper proposals are sought for presentation at the session, including contributions from graduate students. Although resulting papers should present clear research
parameters around method and topic area, they are intended more as a stimulus for opening debate and making collaborative interdisciplinary connections. To aid a sustained and evolving exchange of ideas, chosen participants will be expected to circulated their presentation in essay form (with attached bibliographic references) to a secure member's only online blog interface in the run up to the conference. Following the presentation of papers, the panel presenters will further explore intellectual convergences and departures. Discussion will then be invited from auditors of the session.

Proposals should be sent to Victoria Thoms and include:

- An abstract of no more than 200 words outlining the subject and
methodological approach of your proposed presentation
- Indicative bibliography
- Contact details and biography of the presenter/presenters
- Technical requirements

For further guidance on best practices for working sessions please see:




Deadline for proposal submission: Monday, May 31st