In this paper I explore the notion of sustainability, drawing from environmental
policy and activism, and apply this notion to the process of dance making. I begin
by defining sustainability, and move to exploring both the professional and
community contexts of dance making and the practices of collaboration. In many
ways, the motivation for this paper comes from a deeply felt concern I have
regarding the practices of dance making in the professional dance ‘industry’,
particularly as I have observed in New Zealand; practices which I regard as not
only unsustainable but sometimes even harmful to dancers and choreographers.
I begin by sharing a brief story about my experiences as a dancer as background
to my argument
