Susan Leigh Foster

About the Author

Susan Leigh Foster is a distinguished scholar and choreographer whose work bridges the worlds of dance, cultural theory, and performance studies. With a PhD in dance history and criticism from Northwestern University, she has taught at prestigious institutions including the University of California, Riverside, where she is Professor Emerita. Foster's research explores the socio-political dimensions of movement, examining how dance embodies economic, gendered, and racial dynamics in both historical and contemporary contexts. Her influential book, Valuing Dance: Commodities and Gifts in Motion, delves into the commodification of dance practices, offering fresh insights into the interplay between artistic expression and market forces. A prolific writer and performer, Foster continues to shape interdisciplinary dialogues on embodiment and aesthetics through her essays, lectures, and innovative choreography.