Teaching Artistry with Courtney J. Boddie

In Act 1 of this 2-episode arc, "Manifesting Our Creative Chapters," we are thrilled to welcome Tricia Patrick, Director of Education at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. Tricia’s story is one of artistic discovery and self-reflection, rooted in a deep love for the arts that began at a very early age. She takes us on a journey through her life, exploring how an initial spark of passion for the ar...

In Act 1 of "Embracing Complexities," we explored Indi McCasey’s expansive journey as a performer, teaching artist, arts administrator, and community catalyst. We unpacked the regional nuances of arts education, the power of data-driven innovation, and how the arts can break free from the constraints of curriculum-based teaching to create more liberatory learning spaces. Through it all, Indi highl...

We are back with our 75th episode, and can’t wait for you to hear it. In Act 1 of "Embracing Complexities," we sit down with Indi McCasey, whose multifaceted journey spans roles as a drag performer, circus artist, teaching artist, arts administrator, and now Executive Director of the Ithaca Public Education Initiative. Indi shares their insights as a community catalyst, exploring how teaching arti...

In Act 1, we met Hassiem Muhammad, an actor, teaching artist, and multidisciplinary creative, as he reflected on his early discovery of the arts and the experiences that shaped his creative journey. From the mentors who guided him to the unique pathways he’s forged as an artist, the conversation explored how the arts became a powerful force for self-expression and transformation in his life. It wa...

What do The Karate Kid, Hogwarts, and Fame have in common? You’ll have to tune into Episode 74 to find out! In "Run Your Own Race," Courtney dives into an inspiring conversation with Hassiem Muhammad, a dynamic actor, teaching artist, and multidisciplinary creative whose passion for the arts has shaped every aspect of his journey. In Act 1 of this two-part episode, Hassiem reflects on the moments...

In Act 1, Nehprii Amenii took us on a journey through her experiences as a New Victory LabWorks artist, emphasizing the importance of artistry, childlike wonder, and fostering harmony in the classroom. She reflected on her connection to the Alvin Ailey company and shared what it means to truly see and embrace the unique possibilities of art. Through these stories, Nehprii inspired us to rethink th...

In Act 1 of Episode 73: “One Hundred Percent Whole,” we welcome the one, the only, the radiant Nehprii Amenii—an educator, Teaching Artist, curriculum developer, theater director, playwright, puppeteer, and a self-proclaimed “creator of things.” Nehprii shares her journey as a New Victory LabWorks artist, exploring how her repeated invitations to the program helped shape her work both within the p...

In Act 1, we explored some jaw-dropping stats on arts access in New York City, the transformative power of the arts on emotional well-being, and why the arts deserve a place alongside core subjects like history and social studies. Our guest, Judith Insell, shared her insights on how the arts can be an economic engine and an accessible career pathway. If you missed it, be sure to catch up on that c...

Get ready for a mind-blowing conversation as Courtney sits down with the dynamic Judith Insell, Executive Director of Bronx Arts Ensemble, in the first act of this two-part series. In this episode, it's all about stats, stats, and more stats—showcasing the eye-opening numbers around the lack of arts access for kids across New York City. Judith and Courtney, you’ll learn, believe that the arts shou...

In Act 1, we explored Betsaleel (Bets) Charmelus’s insights on transforming learning spaces, the importance of introducing novelty in education, and the critical role of trauma-informed practices. Bets challenged us to rethink how we prepare young people for a world that isn’t trauma-informed, emphasizing that the real impact comes when educators model resilience and adaptability. These foundation...

In Act 1 of this two-episode arc, Courtney engages in a thought-provoking discussion with educator and facilitator Betsaleel (Bets) Charmelus. In their discussion, Bets emphasizes why it’s essential for educators and facilitators to radically change traditional learning spaces. By altering the energy in these environments, we can create room for creative thinking and innovation, ultimately empower...

Welcome back to the second part of our special episode​, the first of which was recorded live at the Face to Face 2024 Conference in New York City. In our last episode, we ​featured an insightful discussion with James Miles, also known as Fresh Professor, about the transformative power of hip-hop in education. James shared his mission to reshape the perception and treatment of children in the U.S....

In this special episode, recorded live at the Face to Face 2024 Conference in New York City, Courtney J. Boddie has a panel discussion with James Miles, also known as Fresh Professor. With a rich background as an artist and educator, James brings over two decades of experience from New York City to Seattle, where he now serves as an Assistant Professor at Seattle University and Creative Economy Ma...

Our newest episode, Episode 69: "Building Intentional Queer Spaces,” features Adam Odsess-Rubin, whose many roles include Founding Artistic Director of National Queer Theater (NQT). In their conversation, Adam offers a glimpse into NQT’s programs, including DREAMing Out Loud; Write it Out!; and Staging Pride Queer Youth Theater, a program that offers free acting classes for Queer and Trans youth t...

Our newest episode, Episode 69: "Building Intentional Queer Spaces,” features Adam Odsess-Rubin, whose many roles include Founding Artistic Director of National Queer Theater (NQT). In their conversation, Adam offers a glimpse into NQT’s programs, including DREAMing Out Loud; Write it Out!; and Staging Pride Queer Youth Theater, a program that offers free acting classes for Queer and Trans youth t...

In Act 2 of Episode 68: “Pockets of Light,” Courtney continues her conversation with multidisciplinary artist Jerron Herman. What sticks from Act 1 of this episode are the internal themes of personal and professional growth, and disability justice through disability artistry. What’s new and exciting about Act 2 is Courtney and Jerron’s deep discussions centered on art-making by and about disabled...

Our newest episode, Episode 68: "Pockets of Light,” features multidisciplinary artist Jerron Herman. In their conversation, Courtney and her guest discuss their time together at New Victory, when Jerron was just starting out in the arts world. The episode continues by exploring Jerron’s position at the intersection(s) at which his artistry currently lives and continues to evolve. This leads Courtn...

In Act 2 of Episode 67: “The Power of Queer Joy!,” Courtney continues her conversation with guest Lindz Amer. Their chat pivots in tone and substance from Act 1, which was focused on what it means to be a child that is free to explore and to keep that inner child alive as an adult. Act 2 focuses in on Lindz’s work as a content creator and the myriad differences between creating and distributing on...

You know what they say: New year, new episode! In Episode 67: “The Power of Queer Joy!” Courtney sits down with guest Lindz Amer, whose impressive list of credits spans stage performance, author, musician and educator. This discussion focuses on a number of Lindz Amer’s creative projects ranging from their award-winning web series Queer Kid Stuff, a viral TedTalk on gender and sexuality, and their...

In Act 2 of Episode 66: “For Vocal Girls…,” Carmen Kelly tells of her 22-year history with Creative Arts Team (CAT) and her 40-year career as a teaching artist! This inspiring conclusion to our four-episode arc discussion delves into Carmen’s work with high school-aged kids and what it was like developing strategies for talking to them about HIV/AIDS at a time when nobody else had the courage to d...

In Episode 66: “For Vocal Girls…,” Courtney continues her conversation with guest Carmen Kelly. This thoughtful discussion focuses on Carmen’s journey from artist, to office temp, to teaching artist, and everything in between! As Courtney and Carmen weave through their chat, Carmen offers intriguing stories about her stint in the national tour of For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / Whe...

Courtney continues her conversation with Carmen Kelly, an inspiring human with a rich history in arts education and current Program Director of the Brooklyn-based NIA Community Services Network's after-school program. The first portion of Act 2 acts as a kind of “rewind” moment that offers context for Kelly’s journey from childhood to school, to her career trajectory. It holds simplicity and compl...

In Episode 65: "A Soft Place," Courtney sits down with Carmen Kelly, an inspiring human with a rich history in arts education. Currently, Kelly is a Program Director at the Brooklyn-based NIA Community Services Network's after-school program, which aims to engage kids in the arts to create positive pathways in their lives. As Courtney takes us deeper into her work, we learn that Kelly aims to enco...

Hi, PODience! We’re back with Act 2 of our fascinating chat with Yazmany Arboleda titled, “Mobilizing Interdependence.” In their discussion, Courtney and Yazmany continue to tackle a range of deeply meaningful topics. One major theme that really stands out in this episode is how the process of making art in community with others helps us to understand one another, to learn new skills and to evolve...

Episode 64, Act 1: “Mobilizing Interdependence,” featuring the passionate Yazmany Arboleda, will leave you invigorated, activated and inspired to up your game and think about how you could be engaging with your art and how you’re inviting others to engage with and through what you’re creating. Have you ever stopped to think that we, as humans, are collectively co-creating our future at all times?...