Articles from the ‘Interviews’ collection

Several children follow a dance class on a wood floor.

Where Dance and Literacy Meet

Talia Bailes, director of Ballet and Books, describes how her nonprofit works nationally to reduce the literacy gap through the hybrid storytelling of dance and reading.

Several dancers extend an arm in unison while dancing in long purple dresses outside the Iolani Palace.

Hula as Resistance

Vicky Holt Takamine, master hula teacher of Pua Aliʻi ʻIlima and the executive director of PAʻI Foundation, describes how she is working to preserve and perpetuate native Hawaiian arts and cultural traditions for future generations.

Five dancers rehearse in a studio. They are all wearing bright blue. Two are in wheelchairs, two are standing, and the dancer in the foreground is sitting on a chair.

Opening Doors Through Dance

Zazel-Chavah O’Garra, director of ZCO/Dance Project in New York City, reflects on how her brain tumor surgery catalyzed her passion for reaching other dancers with disabilities.

A black and white image of a dancer in austere light lying on the hips with their arms pulling up their legs and torso.

Exploring Gray Space

Corey Scott-Gilbert, a dance artist based in Germany who creates work under the name vAL, shares how his upcoming dance film STAGED explores gray space and articulates senses of loss, emptiness, and vacancy.

Andrew throws their head back into the wind. They are wearing a flower dress and have long hair. The background is a field of tall brown grass.

Layers of Meaning

Andrew Merrell, a dance artist based in the Bay Area, discusses their upcoming show, “Flowery Language,” comprised of dance works of existential ennui, moribund malaise, histrionic hors-d’oeuvres, and bourgeois babes.