The Background Dancer

The memory of my first-ever invert on a pole — when I hung upside down—remains vivid as if it happened yesterday. That experience with the circus arts community in Malaysia opened my eyes to a vast and captivating genre that thrives on its interdisciplinarity. So, when the opportunity arose to delve into this season's exploration of interdisciplinarity, I was fortunate enough to discover CircusTalk, an international online platform previously led by Canadian Casting Director and Career Coach, Stacy Clark.

Stacy Clark is a seasoned professional in the circus and performing arts industry, and she’s no stranger to the stage herself. Before making a name in the circus world, Stacy worked in marketing and communications. Eventually, she left that behind to perform and teach circus arts across the globe, on stage, at festivals, and even on screen. Her career trajectory then led her to become a talent scout and eventually the Director of Casting at the renowned Cirque du Soleil. In 2021, Stacy joined CircusTalk as CEO, determined to help a small but ambitious team transform the platform into a global hub for the circus arts community.

Kickstarting a brand new season and month of Dance Interdisciplinarity, this episode explores the intricate world of circus arts, challenges of managing an all-encompassing online platform and the essence of interdisciplinary arts. Ready to discover the circus within you? Join us as we foreground dance in the background!

• Stacy Clark
• CircusTalk/StageLync
• Jamargig

Soundtracks:

1. Birds - Tyler Twombly 
2. Poison Ivy Yard Work - Uncle Milk
3. Chaos in the Mouse Kingdom - SergeQuadrado
4. The circus marched down bourbon street - Melodyayresgriffiths

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Positioned as a pre-seed collaborative social enterprise, DanceGRiST was established with the noble objective of elevating the income and status of dancers, multi-skilled artists, and other professionals in the movement arts sector. Led by the visionary Carole Edrich, a former tango dancer and bodybuilder turned project manager and writer, DanceGRiST has cultivated an international team and forged fruitful commercial collaborations all while challenging the prevailing misconception that dancers possess limited value beyond the stage.

Carole's portfolio career spans roles as an arts programmer, activist, and communicator, demonstrating a relentless commitment to advocating for artists' rights and advancing the cultural sector. Simultaneously, she has also provided thought leadership and consultancy in risk management to financial, insurance, public and NGO organisations, won prizes for her journalistic photography, and become a sole dance consultant to the American Express’s Bon Vivant Magazine. 

Continuing a brand new season and month of Dance Business, this episode delves into the inner workings of cultural accelerators, running a pre-seed business, and Carole's vision for the future of arts entrepreneurship. Ready to discover the accelerator within you? Join us as we foreground dance in the background!

• Carole Edrich
• DanceGRIST
• Carole's substack
• What is a business accelerator?
• The Joy of Dance
• What is cultural entrepreneurship?

Soundtracks: 

1. Birds - Tyler Twombly 
2. Poison Ivy Yard Work - Uncle Milk
3. Ethereal Vistas - Denys Brodovskyi
4. Titanium - AlisiaBeats

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Shifting from performer to entrepreneur requires not just passion but also a high tolerance for risk and uncertainty. Without a strong appetite for the unpredictable journey ahead, many dancers shy away from the entrepreneurial path. Yet, those who do take the leap often become the industry's trailblazers, using their vision and tenacity to spark meaningful change.

One such trailblazer is Danny Hindmarsh, an Australian dancer turned business innovator who is already making a global impact. As the CEO and co-founder of Industry Auditions, Danny has developed an online platform that addresses a critical gap in the performing arts: talent sourcing and recruitment. His cutting-edge mobile app offers performers a centralized hub to find auditions that perfectly match their skills and interests.

Kickstarting a brand new season and month of Dance Business, this episode explores the lessons of building a tech business, navigating career transitions, and leveraging industry knowledge to enhance the performing arts. Ready to discover the businessperson within you? Join us as we foreground dance in the background!

• Danny Hindmarsh
• Industry Auditions
• Hindmarsh Productions
• How to acquire industry knowledge

Soundtracks:

1. Birds - Tyler Twombly 
2. Poison Ivy Yard Work - Uncle Milk
3. Tokyo Cafe - TVARI
4. Spring Inspiring Ambient - Makesoundmusic

Support the show

Like our offers? 

• S2 Summer SALE!
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Like what we do? Help us grow by

• Visiting The Background Dancer
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• Rate and review here 
• Email me at [email protected]
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Dance education is often likened to a Chinese proverb: 'A minute of work seen on stage takes 10 years of work off stage.' And while talent plays a role, education stands as the primary pillar shaping a dancer's journey. In our exploration of dance education during our first season, we delved into academia and the art of learning. Now, we take a closer look at the business of education, focusing on the creation of teaching resources essential for dance educators in the form of Dance Ed Tips.

Enter Olivia Mode-Cater, the visionary behind DET, founded in 2017 to empower dancers and dance teachers across the nation with a rich array of teaching resources and learning materials. With a solid background as a seasoned dance educator and entrepreneur, Olivia is a sought-after presenter, sharing her expertise on both national and international platforms. Her journey as Director of Dance Education at Hofstra University established the institution's dance education program among the Top 30 in the United States, recognized for its high-quality teacher preparation training.

Continuing a brand new season and month of Dance Education, this episode explores Olivia's trailblazing journey while unveiling the secrets behind her innovative transformation in dance education. Ready to discover the educator within you? Join us as we foreground dance in the background!

• Dance Ed Tips
• Olivia Mode-Cater
• Mosston's Spectrum
• Dance Studio Pro
• Hosftra University

Soundtracks: 

1. Birds - Tyler Twombly 
2. Poison Ivy Yard Work - Uncle Milk
3. Morning garden acoustic chill - Olexy
4. Waterfall - Roman Senyk Music

Support the show

Like our offers? 

• S2 Summer SALE!
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Like what we do? Help us grow by

• Visiting The Background Dancer
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• Rate and review here 
• Email me at [email protected]
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A personal story told many times over on this podcast is my journey into dance which commenced gradually through the popular reality TV series, So You Think You Can Dance. While the show's drama took center stage for many, what captivated me was the dancers' adaptability across various styles and techniques. It revealed that each dance style was rooted in fundamental technique, a pivotal aspect for any dancer unlocking their physicality.

One recent development in the vast history of dance techniques is Countertechnique, a mischievously named yet transformative approach developed by Anouk van Dijk. With over 25 years of experience as a dancer, choreographer, and teacher, she gradually transformed her insights and dancer dialogues into a comprehensive teaching method. Countertechnique challenges the traditional notion of technique as rigid and prescriptive. It's a dynamic system that encompasses diverse skills to deepen self-awareness, expand physical possibilities, and inform creative choices.

Kickstarting a brand new season and month of Dance Education, this episode explores the intricate process of developing a dance technique, the mindset required, and what the future holds for techniques shaped across time. Ready to discover the pedagogue within you? Join us as we foreground dance in the background!

• Anouk van Dijk
• Countertechnique
• Developing a contemporary dance technique
• Copyright a dance?

Soundtracks:

1. Birds - Tyler Twombly 
2. Poison Ivy Yard Work - Uncle Milk
3. Background Fashionable Deep House - Ivymusic
4. Chill Fashion House - Stock_music

Support the show

Like our offers? 

• S2 Summer SALE!
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Like what we do? Help us grow by

• Visiting The Background Dancer
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• Rate and review here 
• Email me at [email protected]
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When Boston Dynamics, an engineering and robotics design company went viral for successfully creating the now famous Atlas dancing robots video, it caught more than a few people in the world of dance by storm. Would our jobs be threatened by robots too now? Enter the fascinating world of Choreorobotics, a field that explores the convergence of dance choreography and robotics technology.

At the forefront of this interdisciplinary domain is Dr. Kate Sicchio, a choreographer, media artist, performer and Assistant Professor in Dance and Media Technology at Virginia Commonwealth University, whose groundbreaking work has garnered international acclaim. Dr. Sicchio's pioneering research delves into the creative possibilities of integrating technology into dance performance, pushing the boundaries of what is possible when humans and machines collaborate on stage. Sicchio's contributions to the field of dance and technology have earned her recognition as a leading figure in the emerging field of "digital dance" or "dance and technology.''

Continuing a brand new season and month of Dance Technology, this episode investigates Choreorobotics, dancers’ attitudes towards technology and what the future holds for aspiring tech enthusiasts in the world of arts and culture. Ready to discover the roboticist within you? Join us as we foreground dance in the background!

• Kate Sicchio
• Virginia Commonwealth University
• Origins of Choreorobotics
• Atlas dancing robots 
• Dancing with Robots
• Inverse magazine

Soundtracks:

1. Birds - Tyler Twombly 
2. Poison Ivy Yard Work - Uncle Milk
3. Whipped-cream - WatR
4. Ambient Technology - Mapa Music
   
   

Support the show

Like our offers? 

• S2 Summer SALE!
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Like what we do? Help us grow by

• Visiting The Background Dancer
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• Rate and review here 
• Email me at [email protected]
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SaaS, also known as software as a a service or web-based software, operates on a subscription basis, providing users with centrally hosted solutions accessible anytime, anywhere. This model has transformed countless industries, including entertainment, communication, and, most notably, education. As dance studios and activity centers worldwide sought efficient management solutions, Jackrabbit Technologies emerged as a pioneer in cloud-based class management software.

Under CEO and co-founder Mark Mahoney's leadership, Jackrabbit Technologies has grown into a multi-million dollar company serving over 5 million students across more than 15,000 locations in 36 countries. Mahoney's entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to innovation have earned him numerous accolades, including the NC Tech Exec of the Year, the Michael J. Bryan Award for entrepreneurial excellence, and recognition as a Charlotte area Top 50 Entrepreneur and Most Admired CEO.

Kickstarting a brand new season and month of Dance Technology, this episode explores one of dance technology’s greatest successes in modern times, the impact of SaaS on the performing arts, as well as what the future holds for Mark and his thriving team of pioneers. Ready to discover the tech geek within you? Join us as we foreground dance in the background!

• Jackrabbit Technologies
• Mark Mahoney
• Software as a Service (SaaS)
• Best studio management software

Soundtracks:

1. Birds - Tyler Twombly 
2. Poison Ivy Yard Work - Uncle Milk
3. Refined style - Daddy's Music
4. Inspirational Background - Audio Coffee
   
   

Support the show

Like our offers? 

• S2 Summer SALE!
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Like what we do? Help us grow by

• Visiting The Background Dancer
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• Rate and review here 
• Email me at [email protected]
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Long before the formulation of the world’s first MA in Screendance by the LCDS, the genre had already dated as far back to the early days of cinema. Gene Kelly emerged as a prominent figure during the 1940s and 50s after he starred in and co-directed the classic film "Singin' in the Rain" (1952). In contemporary cinema, dance continues to play a significant role through films such as "Black Swan" (2010), "La La Land" (2016), which have all brought dance back into the spotlight for the next generation of creators to continue evolving.

One such creator is dancer, choreographer, and creative director hailing from the vibrant city of Los Angeles, California - Mike Tyus. Tyus has graced the stages of renowned companies including Cirque Du Soleil, Pilobolus Dance Theater, while collaborating with visionaries like Sidi Larbi Cherkoui and Inbal Pinto. His choreographic style is a captivating fusion of his diverse training, blending elements from circus theater, acrobatics, ballet, and Greco-Roman wrestling to create a truly unique and mesmerizing art form as evidenced with the likes of the LA Dance Project and Joffrey Ballet. In 2020, he established Mike Tyus & Co, a dance company dedicated to bringing his visionary work to life, with an impressive repertoire of over 13 films and a litany of original works and branded commercial campaigns featuring SONY, Apple, and Abercrombie & Fitch. 

Continuing a brand new season and month of Dance Choreography, this episode ponders about the ideas and potential of creating dance for the camera, and what it takes to succeed as a screendance choreographer. Ready to discover the filmmaker within you? Join us as we foreground dance in the background!

• Mike Tyus
• Jacob Jonas The Company
• Dance Masterclass
• MA in Screendance
• TPOPA Interview

Soundtracks:

1. Birds - Tyler Twombly 
2. Poison Ivy Yard Work - Uncle Milk
3. Courtesy - WolfBeat
4. Uplifting background music - Saavane
   
   

Support the show

Like our offers? 

• S2 Summer SALE!
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Like what we do? Help us grow by

• Visiting The Background Dancer
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• Rate and review here 
• Email me at [email protected]
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While most of us aspiring contemporary dancers will decide to undergo formal training under the foundations of Graham, Cunningham, Limon and various others, a small subset has diverted into the wondrous world of puppet theatre. One such performer, choreographer and now puppeteer is Duda Paiva. After a few more years thriving as an independent theatrical artist, he initiated the Duda Paiva Company in Amsterdam, Holland, in 2004.

Duda was educated as an actor, ballet and Butoh dancer in both Brazil and Japan. He moved to the Netherlands in 1996, where he worked as a professional contemporary dancer and choreographer. Curious and adept at researching multidisciplinary art forms, Paiva pushes the boundaries of visual theater and creates an exciting and unique idiom, blowing life into foam sculptures.

Kickstarting a brand new season and month of Dance Choreography, this episode explores the choreographic mystery behind creating for both humans as well as puppets, how to find constant harmony and what the future ultimately holds for this art form. Ready to discover the puppeteer within you? Join us as we foreground dance in the background!

• Duda Paiva Company
• Puppeteers of the world
• History of puppet theatre
• Traditional puppet theatres around the world

Soundtracks:

1. Birds - Tyler Twombly 
2. Poison Ivy Yard Work - Uncle Milk
3. 22 circus - Hasenchat
4. Once in Paris - Pump up the mind
   
   

Support the show

Like our offers? 

• S2 Summer SALE!
• Check out our new Dance Masterclass YouTube review
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• Choreographing Your Dance Career by Janaea Rose Lyn
• Try Nord VPN

Like what we do? Help us grow by

• Visiting The Background Dancer
• YouTube Channel
• Rate and review here 
• Email me at [email protected]
• Answer a survey 
• Sign up here to receive future updates 
• Leave a thought on Facebook and Instagram
• Join the Facebook group and introduce yourself as a member of our community

Costumes, costumes, costumes... they are everywhere, aren't they? From festive occasions to theatrical performances and even on the silver screen in movies. Whilst studying dance, I was always captivated by the costume design at the School of Theatre and Arts Entertainment. They were the ones I interacted with most, as they were responsible for crafting costumes and set designs for various other departments including Music, Drama and Chinese Opera.

Rike Zöllner hails originally from Germany and was trained at The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (MA) after obtaining a degree in Literature and Performing Arts in France. Over the years, she has collaborated with choreographers such as Dimitris Papaioannou, Ben Wright, Theo Clinkard and Colette Sadler to name a few. In 2019 she was awarded as an Honorary Associate of the Royal Welsh College Of Music And Drama, and is now pursuing her PhD whilst also acting as academic assistant in the art history department of the Offenbach University of Art and Design back in Germany.

Continuing a brand new season and month of Dance Fashion, this episode explores the intricacies of costume design in dance, how it differs from other art forms and how to pursue one as a full-fledged career. Join us as we foreground dance in the background!

• Rike Zöllner
• History of dancewear
• The Guardian cover
• Pros & Cons of costume designing

Soundtracks:

1. Birds - Tyler Twombly 
2. Poison Ivy Yard Work - Uncle Milk
3. Aint Ova - Keyframe Audio
4. Catwalk - Keyframe Audio
   
   

Support the show

Like our offers? 

• S2 Summer SALE!
• Check out our new Dance Masterclass YouTube review
• Sign up for Dance Masterclass
• Choreographing Your Dance Career by Janaea Rose Lyn
• Try Nord VPN

Like what we do? Help us grow by

• Visiting The Background Dancer
• YouTube Channel
• Rate and review here 
• Email me at [email protected]
• Answer a survey 
• Sign up here to receive future updates 
• Leave a thought on Facebook and Instagram
• Join the Facebook group and introduce yourself as a member of our community