Backstage Dancer

Backstage Dancer: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Lives of Freelance Dancers proposes to explore the dance field in Belgium by capturing what it means to live and work as a freelance dancer today through a series of filmed conversations and discussions with dancers during their day-to-day lives.

During this research, Dan Mussett and Margot Masquelier will interview several freelance dancers at various stages of their careers in the Belgian scene to discover why they started dancing, how they navigate the professional field, and why they choose to keep going despite precarious conditions, funding cuts, and job scarcity. They will also host a group speaking and writing practice called Many Mouths, One Voice. In this practice, they aim to write from the personal and speak from the collective—attempting to feel the pulse of their freelancing community, to see where they have common interests, desires, and frustrations, and where they diverge.

To share your experience as a freelancer in a one-on-one discussion, or to take part in Many Mouths, One Voice, please send an email to Dan at mussettdan@gmail.com.