Choreographing Resistance

An Interview with Raissa Simpson Raissa Simpson is a San Francisco based choreographer and the artistic director of PUSH Dance Company, which uses contemporary dance to vivify the stories of individuals from unique and overlooked communities. Raissa shares the challenges she faces as an African American mixed ancestry choreographer in […]

December 10, 2018  |  Read Article

Experiencing the Democracy of Dance

PODCAST BY SILVA LAUKKANEN In this episode of DanceCast, Silva interviews Connie Vandarakis, a master DanceAbility teacher in Philadelphia. Connie shares her unusual entrance to dance, her experience in academia, how chronic hip pain and a hip replacement led her to DanceAbility, and why she deeply believes in the curriculum […]

December 6, 2018  |  Read Article

Choreographing His Trans Experience

An Interview with Elby Brosch BY EMMALY WIEDERHOLT Elby Brosch is a trans masculine dancer and choreographer based in Seattle. Here, he shares his history and why making dances from a trans masculine perspective is important to him, as well as his observations on the different ways men, women and […]

December 3, 2018  |  Read Article

Protecting Youth in Dance Through Education

An Interview with Leslie Scott BY EMMALY WIEDERHOLT Youth Protection Advocates in Dance (YPAD) is a non-profit dedicated to building empowered dance communities and keeping youth happy, healthy and safe in all dance environments. YPAD’s focus is on providing dance studios, conventions, competitions, instructors, dance professionals, parents, community members and […]

November 29, 2018  |  Read Article

One Man’s Footprint on Contemporary Indian Dance

An Interview with Astad Deboo BY EMMALY WIEDERHOLT; PHOTOS BY RITAM BANERJEE Astad Deboo is a contemporary Indian dancer and choreographer in Mumbai, India. Now in his 70s, he has spent his career contributing to and shaping the field of contemporary Indian dance. Here, he describes his upcoming piece, Inter-Connect, […]

November 26, 2018  |  Read Article