Dance Unscripted brings together working artists, makers, and educators to explore creative research, pedagogical practices, dance-making, and more. It aims to break down barriers between audience and artist, educator and student, and professional and novice, creating a space for conversations that foster engagement, collaboration, and connection across diverse participants and fields.
This project is funded through a grant from the Lamar University Center for Resiliency.
Ep 14: Exploring the Creative Process with Karen Stokes
In this episode of Dance Unscripted, host Amy Elizabeth engages with Karen Stokes, a prominent figure in the dance community, discussing her journey, the significance of time in the creative process, and the concept of resilience in dance. Karen shares insights on how she approaches choreography, the importance of community, and the evolving nature of creative research in dance. The conversation highlights the challenges and joys of being a dance maker, emphasizing the need for reflection and...
25 Nov 2025
Ep 13: Dance, A Life Lesson with Kathy Dunn Hamrick
In this episode of Dance Unscripted, host Amy Elizabeth engages in a heartfelt conversation with Kathy Dunn Hamrick, a prominent figure in the dance community. They explore Kathy's journey from her early days in dance to her role as a leader and mentor in the Austin dance scene. The discussion highlights the importance of resilience, community investment, and the business side of dance. Kathy shares her insights on audience experience, leadership, and the creative problem-solving skills neces...
11 Nov 2025
Ep 12: Exploring Dance and Environment with Jennifer Monson
In this episode of Dance Unscripted, host Amy Elizabeth speaks with choreographer Jennifer Monson about her innovative work that intertwines dance with environmental awareness. Jennifer shares her journey from a young dancer to a leader in exploring the relationship between movement and nature. The conversation delves into her Birdbrain project, which follows animal migrations to inform choreography, and her establishment of iLAND, a collaborative space for artists and scientists. They discus...
28 Oct 2025
Ep: 11 The Importance of Dance Preservation and Archiving with Meg Brooker
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 resilie...
14 Oct 2025
Ep 10: The Transformative Power of Hope Stone with Jane Weiner
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 em...
30 Sept 2025
Ep 9: Exploring the Bodies Knowledge in Dance with Billy Hawkains III
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, chall...
16 Sept 2025
Ep 8: Empowering Educators Though Movement with Lydia Hance & Ashley Horn
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, a...
2 Sept 2025
Vannia Ibarguen
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 emphas...
19 Aug 2025
Ep 6: Burnout is Real with Rebekah Chappell
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 ...
5 Aug 2025
Ep 5: Exploring the Future of Dance with Martheya Scott
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 d...
22 Jul 2025
Ep 4: Embodied Forms & Resilience with Stacey Allen
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 resea...
8 Jul 2025
Ep 3: Navigating Dance Online with Liz Staruch
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 techn...
8 Jul 2025
Ep 1: Flip the Script with Shelby Brannan
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, emp...
8 Jul 2025
Ep 2: Dance of Resilience with Kesha McKey
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 Projec...
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