In the extraordinary circumstances we currently live, the conference proposes a reflection on how dance, disease, healing, and death have walked hand-in-hand throughout history. How have disease, disability and death been portrayed in dance? How have illnesses afflicted dancers and their audiences? Potential lines of enquiry might include (but are not restricted to) the following topics:

– Dance as exercise, and its benefits to health

– Dance and gendered exercise (men vs women and the forms of exercise available to them in history)

– Dance as healing in mental health, and as preventative activity against stress

– Dance for the elderly

– Dance in spas and health resorts (i.e. in Ancient Rome or Regency Bath)

– Dancing masters as anatomists and health practitioners

– Representations of disease and health in dance performances (ie. Masques, Ballets, Operas)

– Health concerns for dancers (ie. ballerinas dancing on stage near flames, on suspended wire, or on horseback)

Please note that all speakers must be or become an active EADH member. Students presenting posters must have an EADH student membership. Please send proposals of about 200 words to conferences(at)eadh.com by Sunday, 15th August 2021, stating preferences (online or presential) and any technical requirement. The conference will be partially online, and partially presential (in London). Proposed dates are the weekend of 23-24 or 30-31 October 2021.