Antony Rizzi is a contemporary dancer, choreographer and artist. He received classical training in 1980-1985 at the Boston Ballet before heading for Europe. For the next twenty years he was a soloist, assistant choreographer, and ballet teacher at William Forsythe’s Frankfurt Ballet. Antony has been teaching improvisation workshops for many years, which are based both on William Forsythe’s and his own technique.

In this interview, recorded during his rehearsal for a performance at the “tanz hoch zwei” festival, organized by Tanzfabrik in Berlin, Antony talks about his most recent piece, Every Body Tells a Story. He shares his thoughts on storytelling and dance, breaking rules as a necessary component in the development of dance, the main difference between the dance world in the US and in Europe, and what it is like to work with William Forsythe and Sylvie Guillem.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Terri Trotter is the interim President and CEO of the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas. During her time at the Walton Arts Center she has led rebranding efforts and the public launch of a new visual identity.

In this interview we talk with her about connecting with the community, how the performing arts have changed in Northwest Arkansas, and why it’s important to think long-term.

This interview is part of an ongoing series with the Association of Performing Arts Presenters.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Ibrahim Quraishi is a conceptual artist, writer, director and choreographer. A graduate from Columbia University, and a former student of Edward W. Said, he has been collaborating with artists as diverse as DJ Spooky, Vijay Iyer, Komar & Melamid, and Valery Gergiev. He has been the recipient of numerous grants and awards, including a National Endowment for the Arts Grant, as well as multiple Rockefeller Fellowships and Arts International Grants.

In this interview we talk with Quraishi about his installation Islamic Violins, his contribution to DJ Spooky’s recent book Sound Unbound, and his interest in exploring film work.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Susan Feldman is the Artistic Director of St. Ann’s Warehouse, based in the DUMBO neighborhood of Brooklyn. Throughout its history, St. Ann’s has commissioned, produced and presented an eclectic and innovative body of work that has garnered multiple awards, including an OBIE for the development of new work.

In this podcast we talk with Susan about the role St. Ann’s Warehouse plays in cultivating and nurturing talent, and why partnership and collaboration is essential to creating great art — sometimes against all odds.

This interview is part of an ongoing series with the Association of Performing Arts Presenters.

Photo by Nicole Bengiveno

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Howard Fishman is a composer, guitarist and bandleader who has headlined at many venues including The Blue Note, NJPAC and Joe’s Pub. His performances combine the exuberance and spontaneity of jazz with a storyteller’s sense of drama, emotional depth and play.

In this interview we talk with him about the beauty of live performance, the connection with his audience and his all-encompassing use of different genres of music.

Photo by Jack Vartoogian

Podcast: Play in new window | Download