The Annual Oxford Dance Symposium

The Ballet Scene from Meyerbeer’s Opera Robert Le Diable CAI.19 © Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

Image: The Ballet Scene from Meyerbeer’s Opera Robert Le Diable CAI.19 © Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

28th Annual Oxford Dance Symposium

The 28th Annual Oxford Dance Symposium will take place in ǿ��Ƶ on 21st and 22nd April 2026.

Call for Papers: 'Staging Dance'

Organised by Michael Burden and Jennifer Thorp.

The Oxford Dance Symposia focus on the technique, practice and philosophy of dance during the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries; we always welcome papers on any aspect of dance during this period.

Each year, however, we have a light touch theme to which participants are invited to respond if they wish. The theme for 2026 will be ‘Staging Dance’; this should be interpreted as broadly as possible, but within the date range of the symposium.

Paper subjects might include ‘staging dance’ in the theatre or ‘staging dance’ in the ballroom, or indeed, elsewhere! Topics might include dance in a single theatrical or social season; comparing different productions of the same theatrical work; examining the staging - or stagings - of a particular scene; or considering a work’s reception; or the use of ballroom etiquette. Subjects could be approached via routes such as choreography, design, preparation, or rehearsals.

Those wishing to submit abstracts (200 words) and a biography (150 words) should do so to jacqui.julier@new.ox.ac.uk by Friday 28th November 2025.