MSP 202: Authenticity in Motion - Jill Sifah Sigman on Dance, Props, and Purpose

MSP 202: Authenticity in Motion - Jill Sifah Sigman on Dance, Props, and Purpose

From her early experiences of finding freedom in ballet classes, to becoming a devoted bunhead, to her modern dance studies at Princeton, and her current work in choreography and movement artistry, Jill Sifah Sigman has a storied creative legacy. During this episode, we dive deep into the origins of the themes that continue to inform her work today. We also unpack the layered meaning of working with waste and donated objects to build structures she uses in her performances, how this differs from props and sets, and how this deeply meaningful practice shapes her work. Next, we explore the tension between the artifice we often associate with performance and the authentic expression she has always valued most about her dance practice. Building on this, we dive into what it might look like to strike a balance between work that is accessible and work that resonates with audiences in a more meaningful way. Join us for a truly expansive conversation with today's inspiring guest. Key Points From This Episode: * Jill Sifah Sigman's journey to dance, from early ballet to choreography and movement artistry. * How her studies shaped her relationship to archetypes, philosophy, and movement. * Starting her company in 1998 after graduating from Princeton. * Her journey to making and understanding site-specific work. * Starting to work with waste in 2007, before it began to inform the message of her work. * Meaningful opportunities to repurpose waste into structures used in her dance productions. * Her journey to working with foraged plants. * Distinguishing between the artifice and authenticity of performance. * How plants, movement, and clay came to shape her project, Reseeding. * Exploring insatiability, hoarding, and the antidote of soil. * The power of art-making in facilitating connection. * Navigating the tension between creating recognizable work and embracing experimentation. * How her full-time care of her father informed her work and her response to the present. Jill Sifah Sigman is a choreographer, interdisciplinary artist, forager, and educator with a holistic vision of choreography that integrates human bodies, more-than-human beings like plants and soil, and things people throw away, in ways that catalyze presence and healing. For more on Movers & Shapers: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/moversandshaperspodcast/] & Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/moversandshaperspodcast]

MSP 201: From the Stage to the Page with Rym Kechacha

Sometimes you can get everything you want as a dancer, only to discover the reality is quite different from what you imagined it would be. In this episode, author and former dancer, Rym Kechacha, shares how that realization shaped her own journey, from early ballet training in London to dancing professionally with Northern Ballet, where touring life was both joyful and intensely demanding. She reflects on what it felt like to end her career as a dancer earlier than expected, and how that ending opened the door to a new creative identity. Rym traces her path into teaching, studying creative writing, and eventually publishing fiction, shaped by a lifelong love of books and fantasy. Our conversation explores her latest novel, The Apple and the Pearl, a ballet-inspired fantasy that captures both the beauty and cruelty of the stage world, blending realism with folkloric and fantastical elements. Thoughtful and candid about reinvention, artistry, and creative freedom, Rym offers her insights on what happens when one dream ends and another begins. Listen in for a rich discussion on dance, writing, and the stories that carry us forward! Key Points From This Episode: * Rym's upbringing in London and her love of dance from a young age. * How she persuaded her parents to let her attend ballet school at age 16. * The demanding daily schedule of life at Central School of Ballet. * Figuring out her plans after Ballet School and how her love of story ballets guided her. * How she joined Northern Ballet and what it was like touring with the company. * The serious impact of arts funding cuts and austerity measures in 2010. * Losing her place at Northern Ballet: why it was both sad and liberating. * What Rym did next in her career: travelling, au pairing, and becoming a teacher. * How she rediscovered writing, earned her creative writing MA, and published her first novel. * Reflections on the challenges of publishing and how ballet prepares you for rejection. * Her experience writing her latest book, The Apple and The Pearl, and how it relates to ballet. * A closer look at her upcoming novels, from Algerian history to London folklore and fantasy. Rym Kechacha is a former dancer, now writer from London, UK. For more on Rym & this episode: Movers & Shapers: A Dance Podcast [http://www.themovingarchitects.org/podcasts] Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/moversandshaperspodcast/] & Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/moversandshaperspodcast]

MSP 200: Connecting with the World Through Dance with Kitty McNamee

So much of what validates the human experience is the ability to collaborate and connect with other people in the world, and today's guest has managed to do that through dance! Kitty McNamee joins us today to talk about her impressive career and how she found success despite limitations. Kitty was first drawn to the escapism element of musical movies and the wordless expression of dance, and although she started dancing late, she was accepted to Houston's performing arts high school. In this conversation, you'll hear all about how starting dance at the age of 16 made her even more passionate because she really had to fight for success. Kitty goes on to talk about how she started choreographing and touches on her choreographic voice and style before sharing the importance of community and relationships in this industry. Kitty even tells us about the projects she is most proud of and teases what we can look forward to seeing from her in the future. From dance films to documentaries to pop-up performances by LA artists, music videos with Laura Marling, and operas, Kitty's career is truly an amalgamation of different art forms and a testimony to the power of collaboration with other artists. This is an episode you don't want to miss! Key Points From This Episode: * A brief introduction to today's guest, Kitty McNamee. * Where she's from and how she became interested in dance. * Kitty's experience at Houston's performing arts high school. * Her physical limitations and why she thought she should be an actress. * Choreographing for Open Fist and starting her own dance company. * Kitty describes her choreographic voice, movement themes, and influences. * How her career progressed and how community and relationships kept her going. * Her transition into working in dance films and how she got into that. * Kitty tells us about her latest documentary project, Citizen, and her involvement. * What LA POPS UP is and what inspired Kitty to create it. * Her work with Laura Marling and what it's been like to work in different kinds of spaces. * Kitty shares her favorite dance projects and what she is most proud of. * What we can look forward to from Kitty's career in the future. For more on this episode: The Moving Architects [http://www.themovingarchitects.org/podcasts] For more on Movers & Shapers: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/moversandshaperspodcast/] & Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/moversandshaperspodcast] For in-person and virtual film screening tickets to The Moving Architects' Where She Once Stood: The Women of the Crane House & Historic YWCA Alive Through Dance [https://www.viewcy.com/event/where_she_once_stood_1]

MSP 199: Balancing Dance and Academia with Bhumi B Patel

Dance is a beautiful medium to honor the past while building community in the present. Today, we are joined by Bhumi B Patel of Patel Dance Works to discuss her distinguished career. In this episode, you'll hear all about Bhumi's life, her creative interests, her college education at a women's liberal arts institution, her love for constant learning and education, and so much more! We delve into her MFA experience and working through injury before discussing her dissertation on how queer of color performance is informed by improvisational practice and the 'ghosts' of the past. She even tells us about getting her Ph.D. during COVID, what her research was about, and how she managed to finish it in just four years. Lastly, Bhumi tells us how she plans on expanding her dissertation work into a book and what else we can expect from her in the future. From her master's thesis encompassing the upheaval after World War Two, to her deep love for dance writing, Bhumi's talents, interests, and achievements are fascinating! This is a conversation you don't want to miss, so be sure to tune in now! Key Points From This Episode: * Introducing Bhumi Patel to the show. * How she became interested in dance, and why she chose a women's college. * What inspired Bhumi to pursue a career in dance during her undergrad. * Bhumi tells us about her master's thesis on Anna Sokolow's Rooms. * What kept drawing Bhumi back into an academic setting. * Bhumi's experience doing her MFA at Mills College and her focus on grief. * Her dissertation on how queer of color performance is informed by improvisation. * How she advocated for change through writing and starting her dance company. * Bhumi tells us about the content of her Ph.D. and her determination to finish it fast. * What she plans to do with her research and her plans for the future. For more on this podcast episode: Movers & Shapers: A Dance Podcast [http://www.themovingarchitects.org/podcasts] Connect with us on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/moversandshaperspodcast] & Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/moversandshaperspodcast/]

MSP 198: Starting with the Heart with Winifred Haun

If you want long-term success in the dance industry, you need to be very clear on why you're doing it and who it's for above anything else! In this conversation, you'll hear all about Winifred Haun's introduction to dance, how her craft has evolved over the years, some of the incredible dance practitioners she has learned from, how she decided she wanted to dance for her career, and what it was like to start her company, Winifred Haun and Dancers. We delve into the importance of balancing unique ideas with appealing entertainment for audiences before discussing how her company has evolved over the years and how Winifred continues to create work. Winifred goes on to remind us of the power and importance of collaboration in the dance space and shares why she loves mentoring people so much. We even hear about some of the incredible projects she's been part of, including her recurring Community Dancer Project, what making site-specific dance work is like, and what the future holds for her. To hear all this and some pearls of wisdom from this illustrious guest, be sure to tune in now! Key Points From This Episode: * Welcoming Winifred Haun to this episode of the show. * Winifred tells us about her dance history and how she became interested in dancing. * What it was like to balance being a dance apprentice and working other jobs. * Starting her own company, Winifred Haun and Dancers, and what her focus is. * How Winifred Haun and Dancers has grown over the years, and where they rehearse. * The importance of collaboration and mentorship in the dance industry. * Winifred tells us about her Community Dancer Project and other projects she's done. * Our guest tells us what it's like to make dance pieces for specific spaces. * What the future holds for Winifred Haun and Dancers and some advice for young creators. More on this podcast: Movers & Shapers: A Dance Podcast [https://www.themovingarchitects.org/podcasts] More on Wini: Winifred Haun and Dancers [https://www.winifredhaun.org] Connect with Movers & Shapers on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/moversandshaperspodcast] & Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/moversandshaperspodcast/]