Movers & Shapers: A Dance Podcast

What if dance isn't just about movement but also about the people who move with you through life? In this reflective episode, dancer, choreographer, and teacher Wendy Rogers joins the show to tell us all about her career and how collaboration guided her creative voice. Wendy's story is deeply rooted in experimentation, resilience, and the profound kinship shared between dancers. Tuning in, you'll hear about Wendy's early life and the struggles that shaped her, her dance education and how those formative years defined her career, the different projects and collectives she was a part of, and the transformative experiences that she had through dance. We explore and honor the wisdom of older, more experienced dancers before discussing what it means to keep learning and evolving across decades of practice. Wendy speaks about a life-altering incident that changed her relationship to her body and helped her step into her identity as a dancer. Our guest even delves into the birth of the Wendy Roger's Dance Company, the works she created, her years of teaching, and so much more! To hear all this and be reminded that relationships with other dancers is a gift, be sure to press play now! Key Points From This Episode: Welcoming Wendy Rogers to the show. A brief overview of Wendy's life and early struggles. How Wendy got involved in dance with Ruth Hatfield. Wendy tells us of her experience at Berkeley High School. Studying dance education and what made her pivot away from that. Creating the Moveable Feast and what that time was like for her. How Margaret Jenkin's piece, 'Summerspace' transformed Wendy. Wendy tells us about her dance collective, Among Company. What we can learn from older, more experienced dancers. How her accident changed her life and made her call herself a dancer. The Wendy Rogers Dance Company and the first dances she created. Why Wendy believes that relationships with other dancers are a gift. A brief overview of her time teaching and her 'ten-year projects'. What Wendy is up to now and what's next for her. For more on Movers & Shapers & Wendy: Instagram, Facebook, Show Notes Support this podcast in our 11th year! Make a tax-deductible donation today: The Moving Architects

Sometimes you can get everything you want as a dancer, only to discover the reality is quite different from what you imagined it would be. In this episode, author and former dancer, Rym Kechacha, shares how that realization shaped her own journey, from early ballet training in London to dancing professionally with Northern Ballet, where touring life was both joyful and intensely demanding. She reflects on what it felt like to end her career as a dancer earlier than expected, and how that ending opened the door to a new creative identity. Rym traces her path into teaching, studying creative writing, and eventually publishing fiction, shaped by a lifelong love of books and fantasy. Our conversation explores her latest novel, The Apple and the Pearl, a ballet-inspired fantasy that captures both the beauty and cruelty of the stage world, blending realism with folkloric and fantastical elements. Thoughtful and candid about reinvention, artistry, and creative freedom, Rym offers her insights on what happens when one dream ends and another begins. Listen in for a rich discussion on dance, writing, and the stories that carry us forward! Key Points From This Episode: Rym's upbringing in London and her love of dance from a young age. How she persuaded her parents to let her attend ballet school at age 16. The demanding daily schedule of life at Central School of Ballet. Figuring out her plans after Ballet School and how her love of story ballets guided her. How she joined Northern Ballet and what it was like touring with the company. The serious impact of arts funding cuts and austerity measures in 2010. Losing her place at Northern Ballet: why it was both sad and liberating. What Rym did next in her career: travelling, au pairing, and becoming a teacher. How she rediscovered writing, earned her creative writing MA, and published her first novel. Reflections on the challenges of publishing and how ballet prepares you for rejection. Her experience writing her latest book, The Apple and The Pearl, and how it relates to ballet. A closer look at her upcoming novels, from Algerian history to London folklore and fantasy. Rym Kechacha is a former dancer, now writer from London, UK. For more on Rym & this episode: Movers & Shapers: A Dance Podcast Follow us on Instagram & Facebook

Amber Sloan's life in dance has unfolded through curiosity, community, and constant reinvention. Growing up in Virginia, her early exposure to improvisation and composition in high school sparked not just a love of movement but a way of thinking that would shape her future. Her time at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign deepened that foundation and connected her with the people and places that helped her put down artistic roots. From piecing together income through unexpected jobs, to choreographing for the Joyce SoHo and seeking to scale her work in the years leading up to the pandemic, Amber has never shied away from the uncomfortable or the uncertain. She's navigated performance anxiety, surgery and recovery, and the challenge of being involved in many facets of the dance world, from performing with David Parker to presenting work through platforms like Women in Motion. Today, with recent pieces like her show at Kestrels (set to return next year), she continues to build a career that defies the assumptions people often make about a life in dance. At the heart of it all is a simple, lasting dream: to keep exploring alongside the dancers who move her work forward. Thanks for listening. Key Points From This Episode: Amber Sloan's upbringing in Virginia and her introduction to dance. How early experiences of improv and composition in high school shaped her career. Continuing her dance journey at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. How the connections she made while studying helped her develop roots in dance. Working various jobs to pay the bills, including a role for Harvey Keitel's wife. Choreographing for the Joyce SoHo. Making an effort to do her work in a bigger way pre-pandemic. Navigating performance anxiety and doing what is uncomfortable. Being involved in many different areas of dance. How a 2015 surgery and recovery impacted Amber's career. Dancing for David Parker: rehearsals, footwork, and more. Amber's presenting work, including Women in Motion and more. Recent work including a show at Kestrels which will show again next year. Why a life in dance is often not what you might expect. Her ultimate dream for her work. Amber Sloan is a choreographer, performer, teacher, and producer based in Jersey City and the New York City area. For more on Amber and Show Notes & Links: The Moving Architects Follow the podcast on Instagram & Facebook Check out The Moving Architects on State of the Arts on PBS

The Curiosity That Moves Us with Ann Carlson At the heart of every great artistic work is the exploration of curiosity and a commitment to the process of creation. Today on Movers & Shapers, Ann Carlson joins us to discuss her illustrious career in interdisciplinary arts and shares the deep curiosity she possesses about movement, meaning, and the human experience, with work borrowing from the disciplines of dance and performance as well as visual, conceptual, and social art practices. In this conversation, Ann reflects on how she first discovered her love of dance, how working with Meredith Monk and exploring performance art shaped her creativity, and the thriving performance scenes in NYC in the 90s that opened doors for experimentation. She shares the inspiration behind her work with animals, the reality of supporting herself financially as an artist, and how she navigated motherhood and her dance career. She also dives into the delicate marriage between process and product in creation before discussing her dance project, The Symphonic Body. Finally, Ann reveals what is piquing her interest today and shares a glimpse of what the future will hold for her in her career. Thanks for listening! Key Points From This Episode: A brief overview of today's guest, Ann Carlson, and how she found her love of dance. How performance art and working with Meredith Monk inspired Ann's own creations. Cross-connecting dance with other performance scenes during her time in NYC. What inspired Ann's animal series and how she managed to support herself. How Ann's dance career pivoted when she started a family. The beautiful amalgamation of process and product in dance creation. What Ann learned about art from the poet Allen Ginsberg. Ann looks back on her career and some of the most meaningful projects she did. Ann tells us what she is curious about today and what her next project will be. Ann is the recipient of numerous awards for her artistic work, including a Creative Capital Award, a Doris Duke Award for Performing Artists, a National Dance Project Award, two American Masters awards, a USA Artist Fellowship, a Guggenheim Fellowship, a New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship, a Fellowship from the Foundation for Contemporary Art, and more! For more on Ann and Show Notes & Links: The Moving Architects Follow the podcast on Instagram & Facebook

Summer podcast announcement from host and Artistic Director of The Moving Architects Erin Carlisle Norton. Support this one-of-a-kind podcast with a tax-deductible donation! themovingarchitects.org/support Movers & Shapers is celebrating 10 years of podcasting! Connect with our archive of nearly 200 interivews: themovingarchitects.org/podcasts Follow us for the latest on Instagram and Facebook!

Building the Mosaic Dance Theatre Company with Morgiana Celeste Varricchio & Samara Adell Every dance company has its own unique journey and characteristics, from how it was founded to the style of dance it specializes in. Today, we're joined by the Producing Artistic Director and Founder of the Mosaic Dance Theatre Company (MDTC), Morgiana Celeste Varricchio, and the Artistic Director for Dance and Choreographer, Samara Adell. MDTC showcases the vibrant dance and folkloric heritage of the Mediterranean, spanning North Africa, the Middle East, and Southern Europe. Through captivating performances and educational initiatives, MDTC brings to life the region's music, myths, and traditions, preserving and sharing its cultural tapestry. In this conversation, Morgiana and Samara share how they discovered their affinity for Middle Eastern dance, why they felt it wasn't adequately represented in the US, and how they formed the Mosaic Dance Theatre Company. We discuss the many shows they've produced, including their special upcoming 20th-anniversary show, Visions of the Near East, how they manage their creative partnership, and the challenges of running a nonprofit. Tune in to hear the full scope of Morgiana and Samara's beautiful journey, from becoming friends to running a thriving company together! Key Points From This Episode: An introduction to Morgiana Celeste Varricchio and her dance journey. How she became involved with Middle Eastern dance and met Samara Adell. The success of Morgiana's production of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. How Morgiana and Samara founded the Mosaic Dance Theatre Company in 2005. Their mission to ensure Middle Eastern Dance was properly represented in the US. An overview of their productions, including their original show, Caravan to Cairo. Their upcoming production, Visions of the Near East Some background on Samara and how she became interested in dance. Her time working in New York and the extensive global touring she did as a dancer. The inner workings of Samara and Morgiana's creative partnership. How they prepare for, plan, rehearse, and arrange all the different elements of their shows. Standout experiences during their two decades with Mosaic. "We both agreed that Middle Eastern Dance was not represented properly in the professional world of dance. It is a very legitimate dance form, but not looked upon that [way] here in the US. It was our mission, then, to bring this dance to the public." — Morgiana Celeste Varricchio Morgiana Celeste Varricchio is the Producing Artistic Director and Founder of Mosaic Dance Theater Company. Samara Adell is Artistic Director for Dance & Choreographer of Mosaic Dance Theater Company. For more on this episode, Morgiana, and Samara: Movers & Shapers: A Dance Podcast For the latest, follow us on Instagram & Facebook Support this podcast with a tax-deductible donation! themovingarchitects.org/support

Something About the Way She Moves with Heidi Henderson Vibrant, humble, and down-to-earth, Heidi Henderson is a Professor at Connecticut College and also the artistic director of elephant JANE dance, where she brings her unique vision and creativity to the stage. From Maine, to New York City, to Rhode Island, Heidi is a four-time recipient of the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts Choreography Fellowship. Her work has been performed internationally in London and Korea, as well as at renowned venues like Jacob's Pillow, The Flynn Space, and the Bates Dance Festival. She has danced with acclaimed companies and artists, including Bebe Miller, Nina Weiner, Paula Josa-Jones, Colleen Thomas, Peter Schmitz, and Sondra Loring, was a contributing editor at Contact Quarterly, a vehicle for moving ideas. Join the conversation to hear what inspired her dance journey, what her experience was like in New York, what it was like to figure out the intricate logistics of performing in a roller-skating rink, and what inspired the name of her company. We highlight some of the challenges, benefits, and peaks of her journey, what's next for her, and much more! Don't miss out, tune in now. Key Points From This Episode: · Heidi shares her dance journey throughout the years. · What ultimately sucked her into the world of dance. · She details her experience getting her M.F.A. at Smith and her plan after graduate school. · Heidi talks about her experience in New York with Bebe Miller, Nina Weiner, and more. · What Heidi did as a "job" during her time in New York (and how those skills are still in use!) · The logistics behind her recent show, Untitled Sad Piece, performed in a roller-skating rink. · Heidi's journey as she started making her own work. · The story behind the name of her company, elephant JANE dance. · How her teaching career came together and evolved over the years. · She breaks down some of the challenges she's faced over the span of her dance journey. · We discuss some of the benefits of starting a dance career later on. · Looking back, we highlight some of the peaks of her dance career. · What's next for Heidi. · How Heidi finds artists to work with. "I've never been a repertory dancer. There is something about the way I move that is the way I move." — Heidi Henderson For more on this episode and Heidi: Movers & Shapers: A Dance Podcast For the latest, follow on Instagram and Facebook

Five Voices, One City: Unpacking Chicago's Dance Community, with Kristina Fluty, Alyssa Gregory, Rahila Coats, Michael McStraw, and Helen Lee In this episode of Movers & Shapers: A Dance Podcast, we dive deeply into the vibrant and diverse world of Chicago's dance scene. Joining Erin are five incredible voices, each bringing a unique perspective on what makes this city's dance community so dynamic, expansive, and full of life. Featured in this episode are Kristina Fluty, Alyssa Gregory, Rahila Coats, Michael McStraw, and Helen Lee — five Chicago-based dance artists who capture the spirit and energy of this thriving artistic hub. Together, they share how living in Chicago has shaped their careers and creative journeys, and explore how the city's geography influences its dance community. We explore the work being created there, the support systems and resources that have been most valuable in their growth, and delve into an overview of opportunities for residencies and funding. Plus, each artist reflects on what keeps them curious, inspired, and energized within the Chicago dance world. Tune in for a lively and insightful conversation that captures the essence of this incredible dance community. Enjoy! Key Points From This Episode: · Setting the scene for the Chicago-focused episode. · We are introduced to our five guests: Alyssa Gregory, Kristina Fluty, Rahila Coats, Michael McStraw, and Helen Lee. · How living in Chicago has influenced their careers and artistic journeys. · Our guests help situate Chicago for listeners unfamiliar with the city and how it shapes the dance community. · We dive in and discuss the Chicago dance scene and the work being made. · Resources and support systems that have been the most valuable to our guests throughout their careers. · An overview of the opportunities available for dance residencies and funding within the Chicago dance scene. · Dance education hubs and the overall dance class vibe in Chicago. · Each guest talks about what keeps them curious, interested, and excited about their dance lives in Chicago. "In my time here in Chicago, I've just seen things grow, blossom, and then shift. That seems to be the rhythm in this community." — Michael McStraw Kristina Fluty, an Associate Professor at The Theatre School at DePaul University, has been dancing, teaching, consulting, and performing in Chicago since 2003, primarily with Molly Shanahan/Mad Shak. Alyssa (Uhh-lee-sa) Gregory is a Chicago-based performing artist and cultural organizer who moves between the worlds of dance, arts administration, and podcasting, amplifying Black creativity and championing the brilliance of Chicago's vibrant arts community. (she/her) Rahila Coats is an improviser, dancer, musician and educator who loves to eat up space and eat with her community; her work focuses on black femme experiences and joy. Michael McStraw, Executive Director of Chicago Dance History Project, is an outstanding advocate for the Chicago performing arts community and highly regarded as a positive and constant influence in the sector for 40 years. Helen Lee is a Queer Asian Chicago-born interdisciplinary artist raised by immigrant parents from South Korea. They are the director for the project-based company, Momentum Sensorium, which often performs in unconventional spaces such as lighthouses, train stations, and homes. For more on this episode and artists: Movers & Shapers: A Dance Podcast For the latest, follow on Instagram and Facebook Support this podcast with a tax-deductible donation! themovingarchitects.org/support