Since this is a time for gratitude (and since my book FINALLY has official pre-order [Jan 2, 2026] and publication [Jan 23, 2026] dates!), it seems like a great time to share the acknowledgements for "Care-full Creativity in Theatre and Dance Education: Consent-forward, Trauma-informed, Psychologically Safe Movement Pedagogy". This book exists because of these folks (and so many more that I need to apologize for not mentioning here).
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A book, like a theatre or dance production, or a collaborative classroom, is a team effort.
I am so grateful for the editing work of Jessica Erin Bennett, Cassie Kris, Caryl Ginsburg Fantel. Stacey and Lucia, my editors at Routledge, thank you for answer- ing every question and being so supportive!
My movement and dance teacher colleagues, who were so gracious to give me feedback on content: Suzanne Ankrum Harris, Ian Bond , D Granke and Kristin Mellian. Thank you for your excitement about this book—it kept me going. Double thanks to Ian who also read my thesis, which was my first articulation of many of these thoughts.
I give my deepest gratitude to the excellent teachers I have had along the way. They helped me think deeply, and often differently, about moving, teaching, and learning: Karen Clemente, Dr. Joselli Deans, Lisa Trautman Welsh, Joy Friedlander , Bill Evans, Debra Wright Knapp, Colleen Wahl, Erin C. Law, Peggy Hackney, JuPong Lin and Michael Love.
I must also acknowledge my colleagues in theatre, dance, intimacy, and academia, who never seem to tire of having conversations with me about how to create more care in the arts and arts training programs: Alex Alvarez, Halie Bahr, Meredith Bartmon, Geri Brown, Jimmy Chrismon, Joseph Cloud, Crystal U. Davis, Elaine DiFalco Daugherty, Bill Fennelly, Hannah Fisher, Niki Fridh, Colleen Hughes, Carol Kaminsky, Cat Kamrath, Juniper Ledford, Susannah LeMarquand, Sarah Lozoff, Daimien Joseph Matherson, Ricky Morisseau, Cara Rawlings, Renee Redding Jones, Dr. Danielle Rosvalley, Kunya Rowley, Molly W. Schenck, Matt Stabile, Nicole Stodard, Ed Talavera, Jason Paul Tate, Heather Trommer-Beardslee, Rebecca Cureton Vickers and Jessica Zeller. So much of who I am, as an artist, teacher, and human, is due to being in relationship with you.
The team at Intimacy Professionals Education Collective Rachel Flesher, Charlie Baker, Jess (again), Matt Denney, Chels Morgans, and Jon Rubin, without your support and cheerleading I would have struggled to balance it all and get it all done. Thank you for you grace and your wisdom.
Thanks to Brooke M. Haney for facilitating the introduction that made this book a reality.
The folks who have attended sessions at Momentum Stage or that I have led for conferences or festivals provided wonderful feedback, questions, and engagement that helped build this book.
A big acknowledgment for the dancers who participated in the Totentanz Project, some of whom are pictured on the cover: Kalin Basford, Abbie Fricke, Mélanie Martel, and Sarah Romeo in Prove It, captured beautifully by Morgan Sophia Photography.
My partner, Pedram Nimreezi, believes and supports every wild idea I come up with. This book has been no different, and I would not have been able to index it without his expertise and generosity.
And finally, I must acknowledge and honor the students I have taught over the past nearly twenty years, who have entered with curiosity, vulnerability, and creativity. I am humbled by the teachings you gave me.
In memory of Cadence Whittier. Your joy in teaching, moving, creating, performing, writing, and living fully present remain an inspiration.