Issue 04: Vulnerable Resilience

a new audio endeavor in partnership with {DIYdancer}.

In the spirit of necessary camaraderie and destigmatizing the conversations around dancer mental health, we have teamed up with {DIYdancer} to reimagine the fourth issue of their magazine in a new audio zine format. ISSUE 04: VULNERABLE RESILIENCE features honest and intimate chats about mental health as a process, and how we brave the struggle as humans first, movers always, in four, hour-long audio episodes (free on our website or wherever you get your podcasts).

CHAPTER 01

features an essay from performing artist and dance maker Janeill Cooper; a conversation about tools and practices with clinician and social worker Mario Espinoza; a writing prompt from Abraham in Motion dancer and marketing associate Catherine Kirk; and Coco Alvarez-Mena (Oregon Ballet Theatre) discussing fear with dancers Derek Agnoletti (Joffrey Ballet), Catherine Kirk (A.I.M.), Loreta Krikščiukaitytė (professional ballroom dancer), Juliette Ochoa (recent USC Kaufman grad), and Jakevis Thomason (freelance artist and choreographer).

CHAPTER 02

follows Caitlin Burns, a yogi and dancer who journaled her COVID19 experience from its early stages; a tantalizing dreamscape from longtime {DIYdancer} contributor Alejandra Iannone; and a provocative discussion about trauma and healing in dance with Whistle While You Work—a platform that promotes conversation around harassment, discrimination, and violence towards women and marginalized groups particularly while at work in the arts—featuring writer and dramaturg Robyn Doty and international dance artists Frances Chiaverini, Julia Eichten, and Vânia Doutel Vaz.

CHAPTER 03

features Kathryn Boland, in conversation with the founders of “Erase the stigma through dance", an arts organization using movement and dance to combat stigma surrounding mental health. Followed by a sound interlude by Morgan Bobrow-Williams. Finally, we’ll be listening to Misa Lucyshyn in conversation with Isla Clarke and Maxi Hawkeye Canion, on trans and nonbinary experiences within the dance field. 

CHAPTER 04

features a “messy talk”  whose format we collaborated on with dancer advocacy organization Whistle While You Work, which will include prominent dance artists and teachers Alyah Baker, J. Bouey, Chanel DaSilva, Michael John Harper, and Gabrielle Salvatto. This deeply necessary conversation is artfully guided by our very own Courtney Henry. Finally we’ll end with a breath break from dancer and yoga teacher Marisa Martin; and a short boundaries practice exercise from our creative director Lara Wilson and dance artist Taylor Unwin.