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. Hawkins emphasizes the need to embrace mistakes and the ongoing journey of growth in dance, challenging traditional hierarchies and promoting agency among students. The conversation highlights the vital role of resilience in navigating the challenges of a dance career and the importance of fostering a supportive and curious learning environment.

Season One of Dance Unscripted is brought to you by a grant from the Lamar University Center for Resiliency.

Billy's Links:

Social Media-

@iambillyjhawkains

@the.iii.collective

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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 the research behind Kinetic Classrooms, the connection between physical and mental development, and the role of joy in learning. Ultimately, the episode emphasizes the transformative potential of dance education in fostering emotional regulation and social skills among young learners.

Season One of Dance Unscripted is brought to you by a grant from the Lamar University Center for Resiliency.

Lydia and Ashley's Links:

Instagram-

@framedance

@ashleyhorndance_and_design

Facebook-

facebook.com/framedanceproductions

Website-

https://www.framedance.org/

LinkedIn-

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lydia-hance/

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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 project that raises awareness about water issues through site-specific dance performances, and emphasizes the role of feedback in refining artistic messages. The conversation showcases the potential of dance to address climate change, foster resilience, and create meaningful connections within communities.

Season One of Dance Unscripted is brought to you by a grant from the Lamar University Center for Resiliency.

Vannia's Links:

Social Media-

@gwdances

@vanniai

Website-

http://www.globalwaterdances.org

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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 conversation emphasizes the relational aspects of burnout and the significance of community support in fostering resilience among dance educators and students.

Upon editing, some technical difficulties were found to have caused discrepancies in filming. The Dance Unscripted team does apologize for these difficulties and hopes you enjoy the episode as is.

Rebekah's links:

Website:

rebekahchappell.com

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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 entrepreneurial mindset necessary for artists today. The conversation highlights the collaborative nature of dance creation, particularly through the Mixtamotus project, which blurs the lines between audience and performer, fostering a sense of community and connection.

Martheya's links:

Websites:

www.martheyamovement.com

www.knowboxdance.com

www.mixtamotus.com

Social Medias:

@martheya_nygaard

@knowboxdance

@mixtamotus

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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 curriculum design in dance education. The conversation also delves into the role of creative research in making dance accessible to broader audiences and the impact of community and resilience in the arts.

Stacey's Links:

A Little Optimism Goes A Long Way: https://www.amazon.com/Little-Optimism-Goes-Long-Way/dp/B0CGHLPBQD/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.iyR4c7Z6AHS3PyWlxy4_3BMy1pDhPOHc-RFEOu2plmyYUpRAXIjvCFLsrOg8T0qhUt33dSBSQzSbz3a7JGDm9W1Inttmz94RHCqVkOmKKeRbdhesqdjfGyHtLCYEVD-4G89GJv69_llIcd1LdnGmm6460NkdS3_AMuGAJEioDfxfwG0RQQWe7IDCvdWcY9viJxZHq56P8LKNO3VPjZ9vHVA55g9HDcdY1JcLJzeHXUw.DtbHgI2yPPf0fbilkuuptr57pgT2-X5YRX7bcUOfanM&dib_tag=se&keywords=stacey+allen&qid=1752981011&sr=8-1

D is for Dance: Dancing Through the Diaspora: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/d-is-for-dance-stacey-allen/1147396758

Socials: @niasdaughters, @theblackartsymom

Website: https://www.niasdaughters.com/

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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 cultural conversations. Liz shares insights on engaging audiences in performance and the role of technology in dance, emphasizing the need for adaptability and connection in the arts community.

Season One of Dance Unscripted is funded by a grant from the Lamar University Center for Resiliency.

Links for Liz:

Social Media: @dancemakerliz on Instagram

Website: https://www.lizstaruch.com/

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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 for students and artists, the importance of mission-driven work in her dance company, KM Dance Project, and the evolving nature of her work, particularly the piece 'Raw Fruit.' The conversation highlights the power of dance as a medium for storytelling, resilience, and community connection, emphasizing the importance of vulnerability and empathy in both art and education.

Season One of Dance Unscripted is funded by a grant through the Lamar University Center for Resiliency.

Links for Kesha:

Social Media: @kmdanceproject on both Instagram and Facebook

Website: www.Kmdanceproject.org

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