MSP 189: A Life in Dance with Amber Sloan
Movers & Shapers: A Dance Podcast
Amber Sloan’s life in dance has unfolded through curiosity, community, and constant reinvention. Growing up in Virginia, her early exposure to improvisation and composition in high school sparked not just a love of movement but a way of thinking that would shape her future. Her time at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign deepened that foundation and connected her with the people and places that helped her put down artistic roots. From piecing together income through unexpected jobs, to choreographing for the Joyce SoHo and seeking to scale her work in the years leading up to the...
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MSP 188: Attuning to the Beauty of Passion with Sara Veale
Movers & Shapers: A Dance Podcast
MSP 188: Attuning to the Beauty of Passion with Sara Veale The incredible beauty of passion lies in the relentless dedication of one's entire being, a force that radiates outward to inspire and elevate others. Today on the Movers & Shapers podcast, Erin is joined by author and dance critic Sara Veale. A North Carolina native, dancer turned dance writer, currently living in London, UK. Tune into the conversation as they dance into what inspired Sara into a lifelong journey in dance, how dance became an integral part of her identity, and what sparked her journey to shift into one that...
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MSP 187: The Curiosity That Moves Us with Ann Carlson
Movers & Shapers: A Dance Podcast
The Curiosity That Moves Us with Ann Carlson At the heart of every great artistic work is the exploration of curiosity and a commitment to the process of creation. Today on Movers & Shapers, Ann Carlson joins us to discuss her illustrious career in interdisciplinary arts and shares the deep curiosity she possesses about movement, meaning, and the human experience, with work borrowing from the disciplines of dance and performance as well as visual, conceptual, and social art practices. In this conversation, Ann reflects on how she first discovered her love of dance, how working with...
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New Season Launch: Movers & Shapers Dance Podcast with Erin Carlisle Norton of The Moving Architects
Movers & Shapers: A Dance Podcast
Welcome to a new season of Movers & Shapers: A Dance Podcast, hosted by Erin Carlisle Norton, choreographer and Artistic Director of The Moving Architects. In this update episode, Erin shares what she's been up to, including the company’s site-specific project Where She Once Stood, which brought Montclair’s Crane House & Historic YWCA to life through dance, history, and storytelling. This podcast is made possible this season by The Ohio State University Dance Department’s Dance Preservation Grant and a generous anonymous donor. Special thanks to both...
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Summer Announcement
Movers & Shapers: A Dance Podcast
Summer podcast announcement from host and Artistic Director of Erin Carlisle Norton. Support this one-of-a-kind podcast with a tax-deductible donation! Movers & Shapers is celebrating 10 years of podcasting! Connect with our archive of nearly 200 interivews: Follow us for the latest on and !
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MSP 186: Erin Carlisle Norton
Movers & Shapers: A Dance Podcast
Lessons from 10 Years of Dance Conversations with Erin Carlisle Norton What does it take to lead a forward-thinking, boundary-pushing dance company in today’s ever-changing artistic landscape? After a decade of hosting Movers & Shapers and nearly 200 interviews, Erin Carlisle Norton, Artistic Director of The Moving Architects (TMA), steps into the guest seat for a special 10th-anniversary episode. In conversation with Megan Mizanty, Lead Editor of thINKingDANCE, Erin reflects on the podcast’s evolution, the inspiration behind it, and the guests and stories that have profoundly shaped...
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MSP 185: Morgiana Celeste Varricchio & Samara Adell
Movers & Shapers: A Dance Podcast
Building the Mosaic Dance Theatre Company with Morgiana Celeste Varricchio & Samara Adell Every dance company has its own unique journey and characteristics, from how it was founded to the style of dance it specializes in. Today, we’re joined by the Producing Artistic Director and Founder of the Mosaic Dance Theatre Company (MDTC), Morgiana Celeste Varricchio, and the Artistic Director for Dance and Choreographer, Samara Adell. MDTC showcases the vibrant dance and folkloric heritage of the Mediterranean, spanning North Africa, the Middle East, and Southern Europe. Through captivating...
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MSP 184: Twin Cities
Movers & Shapers: A Dance Podcast
Twin Cities with Joanna Lees, Jesse Schmitz-Boyd, Erinn Liebhard Nestled along the Mississippi River, Minneapolis and Saint Paul offer a unique mix of natural beauty and culture. Winters are harsh, but skyways provide warmth, and frozen lakes set the scene. When summer arrives, the cities buzz with life, from thriving arts and food scenes to passionate sports fans. Each season brings a fresh energy to this dynamic and welcoming community. Today, we’re joined by three dance artists who call the Twin Cities home—Joanna Lees, Jesse Schmitz-Boyd, and Erinn Liebhard. Together, we dive into the...
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MSP 183: Heidi Henderson
Movers & Shapers: A Dance Podcast
Something About the Way She Moves with Heidi Henderson Vibrant, humble, and down-to-earth, Heidi Henderson is a Professor at Connecticut College and also the artistic director of elephant JANE dance, where she brings her unique vision and creativity to the stage. From Maine, to New York City, to Rhode Island, Heidi is a four-time recipient of the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts Choreography Fellowship. Her work has been performed internationally in London and Korea, as well as at renowned venues like Jacob’s Pillow, The Flynn Space, and the Bates Dance Festival. She has danced with...
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MSP 182: Jamila Glass
Movers & Shapers: A Dance Podcast
A World Immersed in Art with Dancer, Filmmaker, Choreographer, and Artistic Director Jamila Glass Jamila Glass is a filmmaker, choreographer, and Artistic Director of L.A. Contemporary Dance Company (LACDC), where she has been a member since its founding in 2005. She has choreographed for Netflix, HBO, Hulu, BET, and PRADA, with her work featured in the NY Times, L.A. Times, and more. In 2024, she co-founded the Los Angeles Choreographers Institute and has directed 21 short dance films, a TV pilot, and music videos through her production company, The Cutting Room. A graduate of USC’s School...
info_outlineLessons from 10 Years of Dance Conversations with Erin Carlisle Norton
What does it take to lead a forward-thinking, boundary-pushing dance company in today’s ever-changing artistic landscape? After a decade of hosting Movers & Shapers and nearly 200 interviews, Erin Carlisle Norton, Artistic Director of The Moving Architects (TMA), steps into the guest seat for a special 10th-anniversary episode. In conversation with Megan Mizanty, Lead Editor of thINKingDANCE, Erin reflects on the podcast’s evolution, the inspiration behind it, and the guests and stories that have profoundly shaped her perspective. They explore the intersection of dance and community engagement, the role of adaptability and resilience in the arts, and how collaboration fuels creative growth. Erin also shares her dream interview guest, the unexpected insights and connections that have emerged from the podcast, and how these conversations have deepened her understanding of what it means to build a meaningful life in dance. Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at the artistry, strategy, and vision that drive Movers & Shapers (and TMA) forward!
Key Points From This Episode:
· An introduction to Erin and the story behind Movers & Shapers.
· Insight into how the podcast has evolved over the past decade.
· Memorable moments and some of Erin’s favorite guest interviews.
· The biggest lessons Erin has learned from nearly 200 interviews.
· Ways that the podcast has influenced Erin’s work and artistic vision
· The importance of adaptability, resourcefulness, and resilience in the arts.
· Exploring the intersection of dance, community engagement, and storytelling.
· Reflections on recurring themes, shifting dance landscapes, and industry trends.
· Unexpected connections and insights that have emerged from hosting the podcast.
· Podcast hosts who have influenced Erin’s approach to storytelling.
· The modern dance icon Erin dreams of interviewing and why.
· What it means to build a rich life in dance and Erin’s advice for emerging artists.
“Remembering that we’re part of something bigger that has been going on for generations is very grounding and reassuring. No matter what the art form is, there’s something about the legacy – that you can feel like you’re a part of.” — Erin Carlisle Norton
Erin Carlisle Norton is the Artistic Director of The Moving Architects and host of Movers & Shapers: A Dance Podcast.
Check out our podcast episode partner thINKingDANCE!
Learn more about this episode: Movers & Shapers: A Dance Podcast