Too old to Dance! Says who? Senior professional dancers defying ageism

Advanced age on stage, once a taboo concept, is slowly becoming a reality despite the established aesthetics within Western dance culture that demands perfection, youth, and athleticism. The ostracism or 'killing off' of dancers aged over 40 is changing, with an increasing acknowledgement of their lifetime of embodied dance experience. This much-needed inclusivity sees a renewed interest in the craft of this older demographic and an appreciation from senior audiences who welcome the representation. My research has gathered the voices of senior dance practitioners to understand their determination to continue performing and to navigate the inherent biases in the field.