This article reviews in brief the way in which classical anthropological theories influence the study of dance and aims at connecting them with the modern anthropological theory. Two are its particular objectives: to enhance the scientific profit from approaching the study of dance, profit obtained through the performance studies and the anthropology of body and senses. And, concurrently, to discuss the significance of dance in the formation of new cultural identities. The references to ethnographies inspired by this modern orientation are made with the purpose to present the new emerging thematic issues, which, in turn, can enrich the product of anthropological theory with ethnographical material.