Adam Benjamin Publications

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The new edition of
Making an Entrance: Dancing Out the Message Behind Inclusive Practice

This second edition of Making an Entrance is a practical and thought-provoking introduction to teaching dance with disabled and non-disabled students, updated with expanded coverage, new and revised exercises, and chapters that cover post-pandemic and online practice, diversity and inclusivity.

With improvisation as its central concern the book covers a range of topics, including new autoethnographic writing, mental health, performance, feedback, and The Dancers’ Forest and interrogates what we mean when we talk about ‘inclusive’ and ‘integrated dance’. There are over 50 exercises designed for dance students of all levels accompanied by teachers notes. Useful hints are provided on the practicalities of setting up workshops covering issues such as class sizes, the safety aspects of wheelchairs and accessibility.

An essential read for both students and teachers of improvisation who are seeking ways to engage with issues of diversity, written to be accessible whilst offering areas of increasing complexity and challenge for more experienced practitioners.

Available from amazon and all good bookshops from 24 Jun. 2022

book cover dancers Sue Smith and David Toole

Making an Entrance

Theory and practice for disabled and non disabled dancers

by Adam Benjamin

Published by Routledge (2002)

Now available in Italian, Published CUE PRESS (2020) Translated by Monica Morselli.

The first practical introduction to teaching dance with disabled and non disabled students, written by one of the leading practitioners in the field. A thought provoking and hugely enjoyable manual, essential reading for all those addressing difference through the medium of dance.

The book explores how improvisation can be better used to meet the evolving needs of dance education and includes over 50 exercises designed to stimulate and challenge students at all levels. The theoretical sections delves into the history of a 'dis-integrated' dance practice, placing it within the wider context of cultural and political change. The author questions what is meant by 'inclusive' or 'integrated dance' - and what we might expect of it.

Includes useful information on the practicalities of setting up workshops, covering issues of class size, the safety aspects of wheelchairs and the accessibility of dance spaces. Now a set book on numerous university courses across the UK.

Reviews:

'This book revolutionizes perceptions of the dancer's body as well as dance itself'
Carrie Sandahl, Florida State University

'This is a path-breaking sourcebook and guide to the challenges and creative opportunities for integrated dance'
Carol Brown, University of Surrey

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Italian Version

PULLING BACK FROM BEING TOGETHER

an ethnographic consideration of dance, digital technology and hikikomori in Japan and the UK

By Adam Benjamin in

Dance, access and inclusion: perspectives on dance, young people and change, Editors: Stephanie Burridge and Charlotte Svendler Nielsen Publisher – Routledge UK (2017)

The arts have a crucial role in empowering young people with special needs through diverse dance initiatives. Inclusive pedagogy that integrates all students in rich, equitable and just dance programmes within education frameworks is occurring alongside enabling projects by community groups and in the professional dance world where many high-profile choreographers actively seek opportunities to work across diversity to inspire creativity. Access and inclusion is increasingly the essence of projects for disenfranchised and traumatised youth who find creative expression, freedom and hope through dance. This volume foregrounds dance for young people with special needs and presents best practice scenarios in schools, communities and the professional sphere. International perspectives come from Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Denmark, Fiji, Finland, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Taiwan, Timor Leste, the UK and the USA.

FINDING IT WHEN YOU GET THERE

by Adam Benjamin in

Dance Disability and Law (2018) Ed Whatley. Pub Intellect

OPEN STATE: EVENT SPACES OF INFINITE PERSPECTIVE

By Adam Benjamin & Dr Mathew Emmett in

Digital Echoes

Spaces for Intangible and Performance-based Cultural Heritage

Ed Whatley, Cisneros & Sabiescu. Pub Palgrave Macmillan 2018

“DANCE POINTS US INTO LIFE”

by Adam Benjamin in

Dance Leadership:

Theory into Practice Jane M. Alexandre (Author) 2017

This “what is”―rather than “how to”― volume proposes a theoretical framework for understanding dance leadership for dancers, leaders, and students of both domains, illustrated by portraits of leaders in action in India, South Africa, UK, US, Brazil and Canada. What is dance leadership? Who practices it, in what setting, and why? Through performance, choreography, teaching, writing, organizing and directing, the dance leaders portrayed herein instigate change and forward movement. Illustrating all that is unique about leading in dance, and by extension the other arts, readers can engage with such wide-ranging issues as: Does the practice of leading require followers? How does one individual’s dance movement act on others in a group? What does ‘social engagement’ mean for artists? Is the pursuit of art and culture a human right?

An introduction to COMMUNITY DANCE PRACTICE 2nd Edition.

Edited by Diane Amans 2017

Second Time Open - Accessible practice and professional performance.

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BOOK CHAPTERS

By this book

FULL LIST of BOOK CHAPTERS

Benjamin, A. J (2018) Finding it when you get there. in Dance Disability and Law (2018) Ed Whatley. Pub Intellect
Benjamin, A. J and Emmett, M (2018) Open State: Event Spaces of Infinite Perspective in Digital Echoes Spaces for Intangible and Performance-based Cultural Heritage. Ed Whatley, Cisneros & Sabiescu. Pub Palgrave Macmillan
Benjamin, A. J. (2017) Pulling back from being together: an ethnographic consideration of dance, digital technology and hikikomori in Japan and the UK. (2017) In Burridge and Svendler Nielsen (eds) publisher – Routledge UK
Benjamin, A. J. (2015). The Fool’s Journey and Poisonous Mushrooms In Whatley, Garrett, Alexander Eds) Attending to Movement. Triarchy
Benjamin, A. J. (2012). Look Before You Leap. In A. Whitley (Ed.), Look Before You Leap: an advice and rights guide for choreographers (pp. 166 pages). Dance UK.
Benjamin, A. J. (2010). Adam Benjamin and Lisa Simpson, The Simpson Board. In Dance and disabled people handbook. Pathway to practice for dance leaders working with disabled people. Foundation for Community Dance.
Benjamin, A. J. (2010). Cabbages and Kings in S. Carter, & J. O'Shea (Eds.), The Routledge Dance Studies Reader (2nd ed., pp. 111-121). Routledge.
Benjamin, A. J. (2008). Meetings with Strangers In An Introduction to Community Dance Practice. Palgrave Macmillan.
L'intelligence du corps (1999) published in Japanese by:Aichi Arts Promotions Service

email: eri_karatsu@aac.pref.aichi.jp web: www.aac.pref.aichi.jp the book looks at the work of Adam Benjamin and Wolfgang Stange

PUBLISHED ARTICLES

Articles with buttons are included in full - click on the links.

Article title Publication Issue

Bounded in a nutshell Animated Date posted: 07 December 2020

Animated Spring 2015

Online 2007

Building Dreams in Ethiopia Dance UK 49, Summer 2003

Beyond Difference　　　 THEATRE ART (Japan)　　 Vol 17, 2002-2,

Adam Benjamin Sotokoto Magazine(Japan)　　 Vol 12 no.42 Dec 2002

An Evolution in Practice　　 Animated　　 Summer 2002

Tshwaragano Dance Theatre Journal Vol 17 no.1 Spring 2001

Le droit de mouvement CRHES (France)

Collectif de Rechercher sur le Handicap et l’Education Spécialisée Spring 2000

Université Lyon 2

The Problem with Steps Animated Autumn 1999

What's the Problem? Dance Theatre Journal Spring 1999

Adam Benjamin is niet Dans no.8 (Holland) June 1998

geinteresseerd in invaliditeit

New way of DancingNihon Keizai National Press Japan, 　　 Winter 1997

African Diaries Animated Summer 1997

Levelling the Stage Animated Spring 1997

Physical Theatre

and Physical Disability Total Theatre, Vol 8 no 4, Winter 1996/7

magazine for mime, physical theatre

& visual performance

La Compagnie CandoCo Marsyas No 39/40 Dec 1996

Revue de pedagogie musicale

et choreographique

Access to performance

Spaces Access by Design Summer 1996

The Simpson Board Animated Autumn 1995

Danse et l’integration Presented at ‘Danse et Dissidence’ at L’Opera, Lyon, France. Nov 1995

Unfound Movement Dance Theatre Journal Vol 12 no.1, Summer 1995

Access and Excellence Forward Move Spring 1995

Flying in the Face of Partnerships Magazine Autumn 1994

The Issue. Dance Matters ISSN 1351-3125

In Search of Integrity Dance News Ireland Autumn 1994, Vol 7. No. 3

Able to Dance Animated Spring 1994

In Search of Integrity Dance Theatre Journal Vol 10 no 4, Autumn 1993

Loosing the ties that bind DICE Magazine Issue 15, April 1991

Discontinued

Making an Entrance in Higher Education

The Contemplation of Space

PAPERS / presentations

Arte, Handicap, Amore Incontri Internazionali su Arte e Abilità differenti IV Edizione. San Casciano, Italy 2019
Access, Excellence, Inclusion and Diversity KIADA Festival 2019, Seoul, South Korea
Will we find it when we get there? [Keynote] 5th Annual Pedrio Conference. Plymouth University. April 2016
Open State [Keynote] Royal Conservatoire Antwerp, Belgium October 2015
Finding it When You Get There. Inquiring Bodies, Royal Conservatoire Antwerp, Belgium April 2015
The Fool’s Journey and Poisonous Mushrooms. Dance and Somatic Practices conference. Coventry University June 2013.
Highways and Lay-bys: A consideration of Integrated performance and the tensions that exist between virtuosic/professional and inclusive/community dance practices. IFTR conference, Institut del Teatro, Barcelona July 2013
Danse et l’integration Presented at ‘Danse et Dissidence’ L’Opera, Lyon France. Nov 1995