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 acclaimed companies and artists, including Bebe Miller, Nina Weiner, Paula Josa-Jones, Colleen Thomas, Peter Schmitz, and Sondra Loring, was a contributing editor at Contact Quarterly, a vehicle for moving ideas. Join the conversation to hear what inspired her dance journey, what her experience was like in New York, what it was like to figure out the intricate logistics of performing in a roller-skating rink, and what inspired the name of her company. We highlight some of the challenges, benefits, and peaks of her journey, what’s next for her, and much more! Don’t miss out, tune in now.

Key Points From This Episode:

· Heidi shares her dance journey throughout the years.

· What ultimately sucked her into the world of dance.

· She details her experience getting her M.F.A. at Smith and her plan after graduate school.

· Heidi talks about her experience in New York with Bebe Miller, Nina Weiner, and more.

· What Heidi did as a “job” during her time in New York (and how those skills are still in use!)

· The logistics behind her recent show, Untitled Sad Piece, performed in a roller-skating rink.

· Heidi’s journey as she started making her own work.

· The story behind the name of her company, elephant JANE dance.

· How her teaching career came together and evolved over the years.

· She breaks down some of the challenges she’s faced over the span of her dance journey.

· We discuss some of the benefits of starting a dance career later on.

· Looking back, we highlight some of the peaks of her dance career.

· What’s next for Heidi.

· How Heidi finds artists to work with.

“I’ve never been a repertory dancer. There is something about the way I move that is the way I move.” — Heidi Henderson

For more on this episode and Heidi: Movers & Shapers: A Dance Podcast

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