Passionate Work: Choreographing A Dance Career

“Dancers who didn’t become stars” take the stage in this valuable sociological study. Drawing on interviews with company and “portfolio” dancers (the latter of whom tend to perform with several companies and put together portfolios to apply), NYU sociology professor Horowitz (In the Public Interest) examines how maintaining a “body that is ‘right,’ ”—generally, thin—influences one’s professional direction (one “taller and bigger-boned” dancer describes how she “knew from a young age I wouldn’t be a ballerina”). Also documented are the lingering psychological demands of an onstage career (“The emotion work to create distance from [the performing self] can be excruciating”), and the challenges of working as a freelancer through an endless cycle of “auditioning, developing networks, taking classes, rehearsals.” Horowitz sheds fascinating light on how the dance world capitalizes on the passion of its laborers, though the equivocal tone prevents opportunities for more sustained analysis (“Some companies have a greater sense of collectivity and friendship across ranks than others. Activities and organizational features can divide the company or bring them together”). Still, dance scholars will find plenty of note. (Aug.)

Correction: An earlier version of this review incorrectly stated that all of the author’s interviews were conducted with portfolio dancers.