Paper short abstract:

The aim of this paper is to interrogate masculinity in western societies considering male dancers and interrogate yet insufficiently discussed stigmatization of male dancers. Paper will consider how masculinity in dance can be comprehended and interpreted.

Paper long abstract:

The aim of this paper is to interrogate masculinity in western societies considering male dancers and reexamine yet insufficiently discussed stigmatization of male dancers.

Paper will consider how masculinity in dance can be comprehended and interpreted. Unlike being a woman, being a man in dance brings much more prejudice.Those prejudice are often conditioned by the degree of non/includedness.

Inside the dance world, among dancers, choreographers and others included in the dance realm, male dancers are extremly appreciated, admired and wanted since they are still outnumered by women. Also, very often they are at very high and powerful positions like directors of dance companies or choreographers.

On the other hand, perceptions about male dancers outside the dance world are very different from the ones from inside. They include preconceptions about male dancers which seem paradoxical and may not be logical.