Social DisDancing: Dance Conservatory Graduates Pivot During a Pandemic

Abstract

This long-form article explores the pandemic's long-term impact on the dance industry through the lens of 2020 dance conservatory graduates. This group entered a competitive workforce, transformed by cancelled performances and calls for social justice. Though employment is at an all time low and companies struggle financially, these grads relentlessly pursue their careers and find their place in an industry that's reimagined what it means to be a dancer. The piece follows several graduates from March 2020 to March 2021, while weaving in broader industry data.