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From the Stage to the Page with Rym Kechacha

Episode 201: Show Notes. 

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.

Connecting with the World Through Dance with Kitty McNamee

Episode 200: Show Notes. 

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 very 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, 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, so be sure to press play now!

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.

Balancing Dance and Academia with Bhumi B Patel

Episode 199: Show Notes 

Dance is a beautiful medium to honor the past while building community in the present. Today, we are joined by Bhumi Patel of Patel Dance Works to discuss her illustrious 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.

Making Dance Performance ‘Fun’ with David Parker

Episode 197: Show Notes.

In this episode of Movers & Shapers, we welcome the founder of the Bang Group, David Parker, to talk about his incredible career and how his life and dancing are entwined. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about David’s life, how a film about the Golden Age of entertainment sparked his love for dance, the training he received, and so much more! David tells us all about his time in New York, his love for tap dancing, and what it was like to experience ‘the Dance Boom’. We delve into his decision to start choreographing later in life and how his sexual awakening informed his work before discussing how he combined dancing and acting in his choreography. David goes on to tell us about how choreography became his passion and why he still sees the importance of being able to dance when he wants to, even in his 60s. We even talk about some of the challenges he’s faced in his career and touch on some of the highlights of his career. Finally, our guest tells us what he is working on now. To hear all this, and so much more, be sure to press play now!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Welcoming David Parker to the show. 
• Where David’s from and how he started dancing. 
• His time at Bard College and why he decided to leave. 
• David touches on his love for tap, in particular, and his rhythmic brain. 
• His experience of ‘the Dance Boom’ in New York. 
• Why David only started choreographing in his late 20s.
• Creating work that conveys meaning: acting through dance. 
• David tells us about the personal revelation he had about his sexuality. 
• Why it is very important for him to be able to dance as well as create. 
• Some of the trials and peak moments he’s been through in his career. 
• What David is working on at the moment.

With a heavy heart, KDH Dance Company announced the passing of their fierce founder and dearest friend, Kathy Dunn Hamrick. Kathy has had an enormous impact, with ripples throughout Austin and beyond, as she is loved by so many. In her final weeks, she was receiving 30-40 texts a day and numerous visits from friends, family, students, colleagues, collaborators, and neighbors whom she had made a lasting impression on. The organization is heartbroken, but committed to honoring Kathy and her legacy for years to come. Read more in the KDH Dance Company newsletter.

Creating a Modern Dance Culture and Community with Kathy Dunn Hamrick

Episode 195: Show Notes.

Establishing a modern dance company is no easy feat, but today’s guest managed to create a successful organization and build a wonderful modern dance community in Austin, Texas. Today on Movers & Shapers, we welcome Kathy Dunn Hamrick, the Artistic Director of Kathy Dunn Hamrick Dance, to discuss her work and how she helps dance grow in Austin. Kathy found a love for dance at a young age and quickly decided that she needed to dedicate her life to it. In this episode, you’ll hear all about Kathy’s life and career, her decision to teach, and how her desire to be ‘in charge’ led her to start her company. We discuss the difficulty of balancing a family and career, her gorgeous piece choreographed on platforms on a lake, and starting the Austin Dance Festival. We delve into Kathy’s recent cancer diagnosis and how her community has showed up for her, and Kathy opens up about next steps of sharing her knowledge with the next generation of dancers and choreographers. Finally, we walk through Kathy’s career highlights and struggles. To hear all this and more, press play now!

Key Points From This Episode:

• We delve into the who behind Kathy Dunn Hamrick and learn about how she got into dance.
• The wonderful mentors Kathy has had and how they shaped her career.
• What Kathy loves about dance and how she constantly stays interested in it.
• Kathy tells us about her move to New York and why she decided to get her MFA.
• Transitioning into the role of dance teacher and founding namesake company; Kathy Dunn Hamrick Dance.
• How Kathy balances her family and business while keeping her career interesting for herself.
• The incredible dance piece that was choreographed by Kathy and performed on a lake.
• Kathy outlines all of the things her dance company does.
• The modern dance culture in Austin and why Kathy started her dance festival.
• How COVID affected Kathy’s business and festival.
• Kathy’s diagnosis with stage four cancer and what’s next for her and the organization.
• Why finances have always been Kathy’s biggest business struggle.
• The highlights of Kathy’s career and the wonderful dance community she’s built.

Kathy Dunn Hamrick is the Artistic Director of Kathy Dunn Hamrick Dance Company, an award-winning modern dance company based in Austin, Texas. Kathy has happily committed her professional life to dancing, teaching, choreographing, presenting, mentoring, andadvocating for modern dance and dancemakers. She has created over 50 dances that have been described as “strikingly athletic and wonderfully expressive,” “heavenly,” “smart” and “masterly,” and garnered numerous recognitions for the dance company, including Austin Critics Table awards for Best Choreographer, Best Dance Concert, Best Dancer, Best Duet, Best Lighting Design, and Best Ensemble. The company has performed throughout Texas as well asin New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, and Toronto, and her “Lake Dances” were featuredin Arts + Culture Texas, Arts Journal, and Dance Magazine. Kathy holds a BA in Modern Dancefrom The University of Texas and an MFA in Performance, and Choreography from Florida State University. She has taught at Florida State, Stephen F. Austin State University, St.Edwards University, The University of Texas, and Austin Community College. She currentlyteaches modern dance for both recreational and professional dancers at Café Dance; providesprofessional development for educators; directs artist residencies for high schools anduniversities; and served as a mentor for Austin Emerging Arts Leaders. In 2015, Kathy founded Austin Dance Festival, an annual modern dance event that hosts professional danceshowcases, master classes, and a Youth Edition that includes non-competitive showcases forteens 13-18, a Pro Chat Q&A, and a college fair. In 2018, Kathy was inducted into the AustinArts Hall of Fame as “a model for the artist who approaches each project in a spirit of experimentation and reinvention.”