Episodes

  • Ep: 11 The Importance of Dance Preservation and Archiving with Meg Brooker
    Oct 28 2025

    In this episode of Dance Unscripted, host Amy Elizabeth engages with dance artist and scholar Meg Brooker, exploring the rich history and evolution of modern dance, particularly focusing on the contributions of Isadora Duncan and Florence Fleming Noyes. The conversation delves into the significance of preserving dance history, the role of gender in dance representation, and the integration of somatic practices in dance training. Meg shares insights on how somatic methods can cultivate resilience and enhance creative expression, emphasizing the importance of allowing dancers to connect with their bodies and the larger community through movement.

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

    Meg's Links:

    Social Media - @duncandancesouth, @usmdance

    Website - www.duncandancesouth.org

    Send us a text

    Show More Show Less
    55 mins
  • Ep 10: The Transformative Power of Hope Stone with Jane Weiner
    Oct 14 2025

    In this episode, Amy Elizabeth speaks with Jane Weiner, founder of Hope Stone, about the transformative power of arts education and emotional intelligence in empowering youth. They discuss the importance of instilling creativity and resilience in children, the challenges faced by communities, and the impact of project-based learning. Jane shares her insights on how arts education can combat mental health issues and foster a sense of belonging and self-worth among students. The conversation emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to education that integrates emotional intelligence and the arts to nurture well-rounded individuals.


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

    Jane's Links:

    Instagram- @hopestoneinc

    Facebook- http://www.facebook.com/hope.stone

    Website- www.hopestoneinc.org

    Send us a text

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr
  • Ep 9: Exploring the Bodies Knowledge in Dance with Billy Hawkains III
    Sep 30 2025

    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

    Send us a text

    Show More Show Less
    53 mins
  • Ep 8: Empowering Educators Though Movement with Lydia Hance & Ashley Horn
    Sep 16 2025

    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/

    Send us a text

    Show More Show Less
    47 mins
  • Ep 7: Dance as a Tool for Social Change with Vannia Ibarguen
    Sep 2 2025

    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





    Send us a text

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr
  • 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

    Send us a text

    Show More Show Less
    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


    Send us a text

    Show More Show Less
    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/


    Send us a text

    Show More Show Less
    57 mins