The Royal New Zealand Ballet and the Power of Dance in Prison

Abstract

The following article is based on research conducted with the Royal New Zealand Ballet in May 2020. Within this article, we explore themes around the impact of dance on the incarcerated body as well as the physical and emotional transformative power of this art form utilizing Foucault's docile bodies framework. We also explore the idea of dance as a humanizing art form, allowing prisoners to improve their self-esteem, as well as their connections to their others. Finally, we situate this research within the Canadian context and outline why a program such as the Royal New Zealand Ballet's Prison Program is a positive step toward rehabilitation. This article seeks to understand and discuss the ways in which dance can help to bring a sense of joy and meaning to the lives of prisoners, thus, improving many aspects of their lives.