Dance Behind The Screen

Welcome to Season 8 of the Dance Behind the Screen Podcast, where dance, creativity, and technology converge.

Hosted by Martheya Nygaard Scott, Executive Director and Co-Creator of kNOwBOX dance, Season 8 spotlights the North Texas artists, choreographers, filmmakers, creative leaders, and arts organizations shaping the future of dance and media.

Season 8 Features:

Jennifer Mabus | Grackle Dance Collective Niloo Jalilvand | Pegasus Media Project Corey Haynes Elisa De La Rosa Joshua King | Dallas Aurora Diana Crowder | Pegasus Contemporary Ballet Karla Hardaway | Texas Dance and Culture

Rooted in the vibrant Dallas–Fort Worth arts community, these conversations explore creative practice, leadership, technology, collaboration, community building, and the ideas shaping what comes next for dance.

At kNOwBOX dance, we operate as a dance think tank—centering dance artists, amplifying their work, and leveraging technology to connect artists with audiences and creators worldwide.

Say NO to the BOX and YES to the Future of Dance.

Subscribe to Dance Behind the Screen and join us for Season 8.

#153: In this special Season 7 finale, host Martheya reflects on a season shaped by the intersection of strategic planning, technology, and creative leadership in the arts. From AI and immersive performance to community collaboration and sustainable growth, this episode invites listeners to explore what it means to design a creative path guided by purpose, curiosity, and integrity. Drawing from standout conversations with visionary guests, Martheya shares practical insights from the season — from redefining "strategy" as a personal practice to embracing adaptability and reflection as vital parts of the creative process.

00:00 Welcome and Season Overview

02:09 Key Takeaways from the Season

02:56 Deep Dive into Core Principles

05:16 Strategic Planning and Creative Freedom

06:07 Reflection and Sustainable Artistry

06:57 Final Thoughts and What's Next

07:28 Thank You and Farewell

To watch the show click HERE.

Episode Show kNOwtes | Podcast Home

This Season of Dance Behind the Screen Podcast is powered in part by TACA and Moody Fund for the Arts.

#152: In this episode of Dance Behind the Screen, host Martheya speaks with choreographer, filmmaker, and performer Margot Gelber about the emotional depth and collaborative process behind her award-winning dance film If I Were You — an official selection of the kNOwBOX dance Film Festival. Together, they explore how vulnerability and strength coexist in the creative process, how artistic leadership emerges through trust, and what it takes to translate an inner vision into movement on screen. Margot shares her approach to cultivating authentic collaboration and crafting choreography that lingers beyond the frame. Tune in to discover how emotional nuance, artistic clarity, and embodied trust intersect both on and off the screen. (35:22)

00:00 Margot Gelber

00:45 Introduction and Guest Introduction

01:34 Margot Gelber's Film Journey

05:04 Strategic Planning for Dance Films

07:49 Crowdfunding and Budgeting Insights

13:33 Promotion and Festival Submissions

17:49 Emerging Technologies in Dance

22:35 Creative Process and Collaboration

24:52 Advice for Emerging Filmmakers

28:08 Current and Future Projects

32:54 Flash Four Segment

33:47 Conclusion and Farewell

To watch the show click HERE.

Episode Show kNOwtes | Podcast Home

This Season of Dance Behind the Screen Podcast is powered in part by TACA and Moody Fund for the Arts.

#151:In this episode of Dance Behind the Screen, host Martheya sits down with multidisciplinary artist Gabri Christa, whose work moves fluidly between choreography, filmmaking, performance, writing, and education. Born and raised in the Dutch Caribbean, Gabri brings a global and deeply personal perspective to her art, weaving stories of identity, ancestry, and memory that illuminate the intersections of culture, race, and history. Tune in to discover how Gabri Christa builds bridges between the spirit and the screen, inviting us to move through history and imagination with purpose and grace. (39:32)

Chapters

00:00 Gabri Christa

00:45 Introduction to Dance Behind the Screen

01:03 Meet Gabri: A Multidisciplinary Force

01:56 Exploring Identity, Memory, and Ancestry

02:17 Leadership and Intuition in Storytelling

03:34 The Importance of Team Dynamics

08:07 Technology in Filmmaking and Choreography

13:59 The Role of Intuition and Preparation

22:50 Advice for Emerging Dance and Film Artists

30:24 Saying No to the Box and Yes to the Future of Dance

36:22 Flash Four: Quick Insights

37:15 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

To watch the show click HERE.

Episode Show kNOwtes | Podcast Home

This Season of Dance Behind the Screen Podcast is powered in part by TACA and Moody Fund for the Arts.

#150: In this episode of Dance Behind the Screen Podcast, host Martheya chats with visionary choreographer and RUBBERBAND founder Victor Quijada. From his hip hop roots in Los Angeles to creating the groundbreaking RUBBERBAND Method—a fusion of hip hop, ballet, and contemporary dance—Victor shares his journey, creative process, and insights on breaking boundaries, staying authentic in the digital age, and transforming dreams into reality. (48:01)

Chapters

00:32 — Introduction and Welcome

01:53 — Origins of the RUBBERBAND Method

10:41 — Building RUBBERBAND

18:04 — Leadership and Team Building

25:13 — Dance Performance and Audience Experience

28:39 — Film and Choreography

36:15 — Creative Process and Innovation

40:49 — Flash Four Q&A

47:22 — Closing and Contact Information

To watch the show click HERE.

Episode Show kNOwtes | Podcast Home

This Season of Dance Behind the Screen Podcast is powered in part by TACA and Moody Fund for the Arts.

En este episodio de "Dance Behind the Screen", Wilber conversa con Axel, bibliotecólogo, artista plástico y apasionado del movimiento, sobre la historia y filosofía de la Nueva Red de Bailadores. Descubre cómo este proyecto ha revolucionado la escena de la danza en México y más allá, promoviendo el "baile libre": un espacio sin alcohol, sin acoso, sin competencia y sin costo, donde la comunidad y la inclusión son protagonistas.

Axel comparte anécdotas, retos y aprendizajes de casi una década impulsando eventos donde todos pueden bailar y aportar, sin importar edad, experiencia o recursos. Hablamos sobre la importancia de crear alternativas al modelo capitalista en el arte, el poder del intercambio y la colaboración, y cómo la música y la danza pueden transformar realidades y romper barreras sociales.

No te pierdas este episodio inspirador que demuestra que la libertad, la diversión y la comunidad pueden florecer a través del arte y la creatividad.

¡Dale play y únete al movimiento del baile libre!

00:00 Introducción al pódcast

00:51 Presentación del invitado: Axel / Nueva Red de Bailadores

02:06 El nacimiento de la nueva red de danza

06:14 Principios fundamentales: sin alcohol, sin acoso, sin competencia y sin costo

13:54 Comunidad e intercambio en la red de danza

28:39 El papel del DJ en la red de danza

37:14 Estrategia e impacto en redes sociales

43:41 Filosofía de la danza y activismo

46:52 Flash Four: preguntas rápidas

48:32 Próximos eventos y cierre

Referencias:

Textos de Isadora Duncan.

#149: In this episode of Dance Behind the Screen, Martheya talks with Amy Elizabeth (Smith) — dance maker, arts administrator, educator — about dance as a practice of connection and change. Amy shares how she navigates interdisciplinary collaborations, balances artistry with institutional demands, and builds supportive spaces for artists. From questions of identity and belonging to the impact of technology on creative opportunities, this conversation spotlights Amy's vision for reimagining what it means to be an artist today. (45:33)

00:00 Amy Elizabeth (Smith)

00:44 Introduction to Dance Behind the Screen Podcast

01:07 Meet Amy Elizabeth: Dance Leader and Educator

02:09 Defining Purpose in Dance

03:10 Strategic Shifts and Community Engagement

04:12 Challenges and Resources in Southeast Texas

07:18 Building a New Board and Starting Over

17:20 Programming and Community Impact

20:32 Funding and Sustainability

26:09 Cultivating Individual Donors

36:41 Mentorship and Radical Curiosity

41:48 Flash Four Segment and Conclusion

45:03 Outros

To watch the show click HERE.

Episode Show kNOwtes | Podcast Home

This Season of Dance Behind the Screen Podcast is powered in part by TACA and Moody Fund for the Arts.

#148: In this episode of Dance Behind the Screen, Martheya talks with arts leader Anne Kogan to explore what it means to innovate while staying rooted in community. Anne shares insights from her career bridging artistic vision and organizational leadership, highlighting strategies for navigating change, fostering collaboration, and reimagining the role of the arts in today's world. Listeners will gain practical takeaways on leadership, adaptability, and the power of creativity in shaping the future of the arts. (44:17)

00:00 Leadership & Innovation in the Arts with Anne Kogan

00:45 Introduction to the Podcast and Today's Guest

01:43 Evaluating Community Arts Programs

05:49 Balancing Wants and Needs in Arts Programming

07:45 Setting Tangible Goals and Using Logic Models

12:10 Key Elements of Resilient Arts Organizations

17:33 No Box Dance: Strengths and Opportunities

20:26 Emerging Trends in Community Engagement

24:06 Defining High-Quality Arts Experiences

27:46 Technology in Arts Programming

30:18 Storytelling in Dance and Technology

40:00 Flash Four: Quick Insights and Recommendations

To watch the show click HERE.

Episode Show kNOwtes | Podcast Home

This Season of Dance Behind the Screen Podcast is powered in part by TACA and Moody Fund for the Arts.

#147: In this episode of Dance Behind the Screen, Martheya talks with Deborah McMurray, founder and CEO of Content Pilot and a recognized leader in legal strategy, branding, and technology. Deborah shares insights from her work with top law firms, her creative journey as an author, and her service on nonprofit boards—revealing how strategy, storytelling, and innovation connect across industries and the arts. (49:00)

00:00 Deborah McMurray

00:45 Introduction and Guest Welcome

03:09 Background and Career Journey

06:06 Marketing and PR Strategies for Artists

08:14 Importance of Clear Messaging

12:08 Emotional Connection in Digital Communication

17:41 Technology and Tools for Storytelling

18:55 Effective Use of Video in Marketing

24:18 The Power of Video in Legal Newsletters

25:39 Board Memberships and Roles

28:27 Insights on Nonprofit Board Recruitment

34:28 Strategic Planning for Nonprofits

38:46 Social Media Strategies for Nonprofits

43:12 FLASH 4

47:19 Conclusion and Staying Connected

To watch the show click HERE.

Episode Show kNOwtes | Podcast Home

This Season of Dance Behind the Screen Podcast is powered in part by TACA and Moody Fund for the Arts.

#146: In this episode of Dance Behind the Screen, host Martheya talks with Suzanne Smith, founder and CEO of Social Impact Architects, about what it takes to design a blueprint for creative impact. Suzanne shares how nearly three decades of experience at the intersection of nonprofit, government, and business have shaped her approach to leadership and innovation. Together, they unpack what it means to dream bigger while building structures that last, why cross-sector collaboration is essential for solving today's challenges, and how artists and changemakers can balance vision with execution. (44:02)

Chapters

00:00 The Blueprint for Creative Impact with Suzanne Smith, Social Impact Architects

00:44 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest

01:43 Suzanne Smith's Multifaceted Career

04:47 Defining Mission, Vision, and Strategic Planning

07:18 The Importance of Clear Messaging

23:28 Strategic Planning: Clarity, Capacity, and Courage

24:57 Building a Strong Organizational Culture

25:40 Tools and Exercises for Strategic Planning

28:24 Resilience and Agility in Arts Organizations

29:50 Engaging and Growing Your Audience

32:14 Creating Audience-Centered Experiences

35:34 The Importance of Feedback and Surveys

39:54 Flash Four: Quick Insights and Recommendations

To watch the show click HERE.

Episode Show kNOwtes | Podcast Home

This Season of Dance Behind the Screen Podcast is powered in part by TACA and Moody Fund for the Arts.