Episodes

  • Ep 6: Burnout is Real with Rebekah Chappell
    Aug 19 2025

    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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    41 mins
  • Ep 5: Exploring the Future of Dance with Martheya Scott
    Aug 5 2025

    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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    49 mins
  • Ep 4: Embodied Forms & Resilience with Stacey Allen
    Jul 22 2025

    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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    57 mins
  • Ep 3: Navigating Dance Online with Liz Staruch
    Jul 8 2025

    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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    52 mins
  • Ep 2: Dance of Resilience with Kesha McKey
    Jul 8 2025

    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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    51 mins
  • Ep 1: Flip the Script with Shelby Brannan
    Jul 8 2025

    In the inaugural episode of Dance Unscripted, host Amy Elizabeth, alongside Shelby Brannan - Aimed Dance Board President - delves into the mission and evolution of Aimed Dance, a performing arts organization in Southeast Texas. The conversation explores the importance of resilience in the community, particularly in the face of natural disasters, and how dance serves as a medium for fostering hope and connection. The podcast aims to bridge the gap between the dance world and the community, emphasizing the accessibility of dance as a natural form of expression. Amy shares her passion for learning and the desire to engage with guests on topics such as creative research and the role of dance in personal and communal resilience.

    Season One is brought to you by a grant through the Lamar University Center for Resiliency.



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    19 mins