Dance Unscripted

In this episode of Dance Unscripted, host Amy Elizabeth engages with Karen Stokes, a prominent figure in the dance community, discussing her journey, the significance of time in the creative process, and the concept of resilience in dance. Karen shares insights on how she approaches choreography, the importance of community, and the evolving nature of creative research in dance. The conversation h...

In this episode of Dance Unscripted, host Amy Elizabeth engages in a heartfelt conversation with Kathy Dunn Hamrick, a prominent figure in the dance community. They explore Kathy's journey from her early days in dance to her role as a leader and mentor in the Austin dance scene. The discussion highlights the importance of resilience, community investment, and the business side of dance. Kathy...

In this episode of Dance Unscripted, host Amy Elizabeth speaks with choreographer Jennifer Monson about her innovative work that intertwines dance with environmental awareness. Jennifer shares her journey from a young dancer to a leader in exploring the relationship between movement and nature. The conversation delves into her Birdbrain project, which follows animal migrations to inform choreograp...

In this episode of Dance Unscripted, host Amy Elizabeth engages with dance artist and scholar Meg Brooker, exploring the rich history and evolution of modern dance, particularly focusing on the contributions of Isadora Duncan and Florence Fleming Noyes. The conversation delves into the significance of preserving dance history, the role of gender in dance representation, and the integration of soma...

In this episode, Amy Elizabeth speaks with Jane Weiner, founder of Hope Stone, about the transformative power of arts education and emotional intelligence in empowering youth. They discuss the importance of instilling creativity and resilience in children, the challenges faced by communities, and the impact of project-based learning. Jane shares her insights on how arts education can combat mental...

In this episode of Dance Unscripted, host Amy Elizabeth engages with Billy Hawkins III, a pioneering figure in dance education, discussing the transformative power of dance as a means of building resilience and knowledge. They explore the concept of the body as a vessel of experience, the innovative Safety Release technique, and the importance of curiosity and somatic awareness in dance training....

In this episode of Dance Unscripted, host Amy Elizabeth engages with Lydia Hance and Ashley Horn from Frame Dance to explore the innovative Kinetic Classrooms initiative. The conversation delves into the evolution of Frame Dance, the integration of movement into educational settings, and the importance of empowering educators to enhance student engagement and resilience. The discussion highlights...

In this episode, Amy Elizabeth and Vannia Ibarguen explore the transformative power of dance in community recovery, advocacy, and creative leadership. They discuss how dance can serve as a civic tool for social change, the intersection of dance and systems engineering, and the importance of audience engagement through participatory experiences. Vannia shares insights on Global Water Dances, a proj...

In this episode of Dance Unscripted, host Amy Elizabeth engages with Rebekah Chappell, a teaching artist and performer, to explore the themes of resiliency and burnout in the dance community. They discuss Rebekah's journey from classical ballet to improvisation, the definition and components of burnout, and the importance of creating sustainable systems to interrupt patterns of burnout. The c...

In this episode of Dance Unscripted, host Amy Elizabeth speaks with Martheya Scott, co-founder of kNOwBOX, about the innovative approaches to dance and community engagement. They discuss the importance of archiving dance, connecting with non-dance audiences, and the role of technology in enhancing the dance experience. Martheya shares insights on resilience in dance education and the entrepreneuri...

In this episode of Dance Unscripted, host Amy Elizabeth speaks with Stacey Allen, a multifaceted artist and educator, about her journey in dance, the importance of storytelling through movement, and the intersection of dance anthropology and cultural studies. Stacey shares her experiences with freedom colonies in Texas, the significance of embodied practices, and the need for culturally relevant c...

In the inaugural episode of Dance Unscripted, host Amy Elizabeth, alongside Shelby Brannan - Aimed Dance Board President - delves into the mission and evolution of Aimed Dance, a performing arts organization in Southeast Texas. The conversation explores the importance of resilience in the community, particularly in the face of natural disasters, and how dance serves as a medium for fostering hope...

In this episode of Dance Unscripted, host Amy Elizabeth speaks with Kesha McKey, a seasoned dance educator and choreographer from New Orleans. They explore Kesha's journey from a pre-med background to a fulfilling career in dance, the impact of Hurricane Katrina on the arts community, and the challenges posed by hurricane seasons on education. Kesha shares her insights on creating safe spaces...

In this episode of Dance Unscripted, host Amy Elizabeth speaks with Liz Staruch, an interdisciplinary artist and educator, about the creation of the Dance Professors Online Group during the pandemic. They discuss the challenges faced by dance educators in transitioning to online teaching, the importance of community and resilience in the arts, and how the group has evolved to address broader cultu...