WHERE DANCE MEETS ART, HISTORY, POLITICS & SOCIAL (RE)EVOLUTIONS
22 episodes listed below
PRESS PLAY
Dance exists at the intersection of fashion, history, art, politics, fashion, ritual and social evolutions. Through interviews, reviews, story times and behind the scenes we'll take a deeper look at the art form's history, industry and artists. thedancelens.substack.com
Short reviews from the PlayNext desk, based on the episodes we processed.
A clear case for Kathak as a living, evolving practice.
Kathak's history under British rule gives this conversation real weight, but what makes it stick is the way Rachna Nevas and Rukmani Mehta treat it as something alive rather than sealed off in the past.
Kaitlin Prest blends personal reenactment and Gaza war testimony across serialized documentary seasons.
This interview features Kathak artists Rachna Nevas and Rukmani Mehta discussing the balance between preserving tradition and evolving the dance form, highlighting challenges like time, funding, and Eurocentric biases, while exploring its spiritual and feminist dimensions.
A review of American Ballet Theater's 2026 production of Othello, discussing its artistic significance and historical role in saving the company.
A detailed review of American Ballet Theater's production of The Firebird, analyzing choreography, staging, and performances.
An interview with Serge Laurent, Director of Dance and Cultural Programs at Van Cleef & Arpels, discussing his background in art history and how it shapes his approach to dance curation.
An interview with influential dance critic Alistair Macaulay about his career and how he got started in criticism.
Interview with Bridgie Nix, a dancer and political candidate running for Nevada lieutenant governor, discussing her background and the role.
This episode explores how dance can transmute the wounds of war, featuring veterans and artists from Black Box Dance Theater.
An interview with Ahmad Judeh, a ballet dancer who went from a Syrian refugee camp to performing with top artists and premiering a documentary about his life.
Interview with Alec Knight, soloist at New York City Ballet, discussing his dance journey and upcoming debut in Balanchine's Western Symphony.
An interview with conductor Gerrit Kiest about his work in ballet and the differences between conducting for dance and opera.
Host Cynthia Dragone interviews renowned ballerina Wen Wen Tan about her career and the art of ballet.