The objective of this study is to examine the impact of norms and values within dance culture on professional contemporary dancers. It explores themes such as body and ageing, the significance of experience and its influence on form and expression. Through the utilisation of autobiographies and improvisation, narratives of ageing dancers are recounted. The study also examines ageism and age criticism, highlighting their role in marginalizing dancers and discussing their impact on dancers' decision-making. The study is performed and expressed through artistic practice, with collaborative performative processes critically reflecting on and discussing the research questions. The result of the study is choreographically expressed through the performance The World falls Silent. The findings demonstrate that strong norms around the dancing body and performance ability are perpetuated from generation to generation, contributing to ageism and discrimination. The study also reveals that ageism has a significant impact on identity and self-judgement, highlighting that stereotypical perceptions of older dancers are deeply entrenched in dance education. The study's findings underscore the importance of lived experience in shaping perceptions of ageing, and it is evident that improvisation and somatic approaches can serve as effective tools for fostering a connection between the self, the body, and the ageing process. These approaches can lead to self- acceptance and the development of agency. The study posits that the form and expression of dance become more intricate with age, stemming from a foundation of experience, profound insight and self-acceptance. The personal narratives elucidate the significance of feeling valued for the knowledge aged dancers embody, underscoring the necessity for dancers to rearticulate dance and be regarded as a creative force with agency, as pivotal factors for maintaining their desire to continue dancing. It is argued that improvisation and performing as practices are of great importance in changing stereotypical and discriminating norms regarding ageing in dance. It is further argued that continuing dancing should not only be something to wish for, but a continuation of a profession that uses the ageing body as a resource.