Embodying the Conversation on Arts and Social Justice

PODCAST BY SILVA LAUKKANEN In this episode of DanceCast, Silva interviews Adam McKinney, cofounder of DNAWORKS, an arts and service organization committed to dialogue and healing through the arts. He discusses how he became involved in race and trauma work; how dance can build community and address oppression; DNAWORKS’ programming […]

May 14, 2018  |  Read Article

Native Modern Dance’s Pioneer

BY EMMALY WIEDERHOLT Daystar/Rosalie Jones founded her company, Daystar: Contemporary Dance Drama of Indian America in 1980, thus pioneering the field of Native modern dance/Indigenous contemporary dance. She shares her trajectory from the reservation to becoming a nationally acclaimed teacher, performer and choreographer, as well as discusses the current state […]

May 10, 2018  |  Read Article

Straight Up Abilities

An Interview with Robin Olive BY EMMALY WIEDERHOLT Robin Olive is the founder of Straight Up Abilities, a nonprofit in Los Angeles that offers opportunities for people with different disabilities to take dance classes. She shares her experience teaching students with both physical and developmental disabilities around the greater Los […]

May 7, 2018  |  Read Article

A Practice Where We Come Together

PODCAST BY SILVA LAUKKANEN In this episode of DanceCast, Silva interviews Adam Benjamin, a pioneer and much esteemed choreographer and teacher in the field of integrated dance. Based in the United Kingdom, he describes his introduction to disability through a visual arts residency at a spinal injury clinic, and how […]

May 3, 2018  |  Read Article

Raising Awareness of Harassment and Discrimination

An Interview with Frances Chiaverini and Robyn Doty BY EMMALY WIEDERHOLT Frances Chiaverini and Robyn Doty initiated Whistle While You Work in 2017, an online platform devoted to reporting sexual harassment and discrimination in the dance and performance world. They discuss some of the systemic issues they are up against, […]

April 30, 2018  |  Read Article