The Background Dancer

Jason Yap

The Background Dancer sheds light on critical aspects underpinning the dance and performing arts industry through topics ranging from management, entrepreneurship, education, technology, fashion, choreography, politics, interdisciplinarity, media and wellness. Host Jason Yap details fascinating and useful information to help deepen your knowledge of all things offstage, while exploring and preparing together for a post-performance career. Listen in for a bi-weekly conversation with dance lovers from across Asia, Europe and the US, sharing experiences and practices that are both intimate and insightful. Jason is a dance artist, multidisciplinary producer and psychology graduate himself. Despite not pursuing it vocationally, he has still adopted many of psychology's approaches throughout his professional life - the concept of multiplicity and the performing arts as a 'whole that is bigger than the sum of its parts' ecosystem. Ready to talk all things dance? Join us as we begin to foreground Dance in the Background! read less
ArtsArts

Episodes

Institutional Leadership and Culture | Pamela Tatge
Mar 17 2024
Institutional Leadership and Culture | Pamela Tatge
What does it mean to be a leader in the arts? Have you ever dreamt of heading an international platform which boasts both historical and current prestige? As far as dance goes dance, very few are like The Jacob's Pillow. Established on a treasured 220-acre national landmark, it is one of the oldest running dance festivals and home to the USA's most influential dance icons, including the man who started it all, Ted Shawn.In 2016, Pamela Tatge was announced as the new Director of The Pillow after serving as the Director of the Center for the Arts at Wesleyan University, overseeing robust programming and acclaimed artistic initiatives for dance, music, theatre and the visual arts, including the Breaking Ground Dance Series. Pamela was named one of “The Most Influential People in Dance Today” by Dance Magazine in 2017 and is the recipient of the Association of Performing Arts Presenters’ 2010 William Dawson Award for Programmatic Excellence and Sustained Achievement in Programming.Continuing a brand new season and month of Dance Management, this episode tells a story of leadership, helming the 2 in 1 director role and how to establish a working culture at a renowned cultural heritage center. Ready to discover the manager within you? Join us as we foreground dance in the background!Jacob's PillowPamela TatgePillow Lab ResidenciesThe FIREBe a leader, be presentWhen executives burnoutSoundtracks: Birds - Tyler Twombly Poison Ivy Yard Work - Uncle MilkGypsy Swing - Serge QuadradoRetro Hip Hop - Nver Avetyan Support the showLike what we do? Help us grow by Applying for The Jacob's Pillow 2024 For The School Catch Digital On Demand Streams Visiting The Background Dancer YouTube ChannelRate and review here Email me at backgrounddancer.jy@gmail.com Answer a survey Sign up here to receive future updates Leave a thought on Facebook and Instagram Join the Facebook group and introduce yourself as a member of our community
Co-directing an International Festival | Wieland & Poulinas
Mar 3 2024
Co-directing an International Festival | Wieland & Poulinas
What does it take to stage a dance festival? Have you ever wanted to initiate an international platform with long-term sustainability? Despite the overwhelming number of contemporary dance festivals around today, very few have peaked at the level of a Deltebre Dansa, ImPulsTanz or Jacob's Pillow. However, B12 has managed to achieve such status in an even shorter time, which makes their story doubly more remarkable. And the secret to all of this? A stellar management team of course! Johannes Wieland and Evangelos Poulinas are co-founders and the brains behind this project, with both having had successful performing and choreographic careers prior to transitioning into critical management roles. Johannes was once artistic director for the Staatsheater Kassel in Germany while Evangelos on the other hand, co-directed the One Small Step festival in Greece. Kickstarting a brand new season and month of Dance Management, this episode tells a story of the many challenges in establishing an international dance platform, building a competent team and the unique experiences of co-directing as project leaders. Ready to discover the manager within you? Join us as we foreground dance in the background!b12 Festivalb12 Springb12 FallJohannes Wieland Evangelos PoulinasHow to organize and plan a dance event?Soundtracks: Birds - Tyler Twombly Poison Ivy Yard Work - Uncle MilkSomething Elated - Broke for free Support the showLike what we do? Help us grow by Applying for The Jacob's Pillow 2024 For The School Catch Digital On Demand Streams Visiting The Background Dancer YouTube ChannelRate and review here Email me at backgrounddancer.jy@gmail.com Answer a survey Sign up here to receive future updates Leave a thought on Facebook and Instagram Join the Facebook group and introduce yourself as a member of our community
Artunio Talks 4: Compromising Your Art for Exposure on Social? | Timotej Vrab
Feb 26 2023
Artunio Talks 4: Compromising Your Art for Exposure on Social? | Timotej Vrab
Are you compromising your art for more exposure, followers and following on social media? What do artists really need? Simply, we need to be discovered by people who are interested in what we have to share. Just think about it. Instagram is not a search engine like Google or YouTube where you can easily type, for example – ‘dancers’ – choose style of dancing, and you get a list of 100 000 dancers around the world with which you can filter out and identify exactly what you want. In the end, you’re just left hoping your work is ‘’engaging” enough for a much larger audience than Instagram takes you for. Welcome to a brand new mini series covering our proposed launch of an up and coming digital space, suite of professional tools and dedicated ecosystem for the arts and culture - Artunio. Throughout the next four episodes, join me and Timotej Vrab as we look into the core issues of mainstream social media and how Artunio presents itself not only as an alternative, but a collective movement hoping to change the landscape once and for all.It's time to take back your creativity, artistic freedom and control of career choices by changing the way your art is produced, shared and valued!If you resonate, connect with me byVisiting Artunio Why is it important? How does it work? Wish to try?Soundtrack: Waterbeat - DJ Lengua | Scotch - KVZE Support the showLike what we do? Help us grow by Applying for The Jacob's Pillow 2024 For The School Catch Digital On Demand Streams Visiting The Background Dancer YouTube ChannelRate and review here Email me at backgrounddancer.jy@gmail.com Answer a survey Sign up here to receive future updates Leave a thought on Facebook and Instagram Join the Facebook group and introduce yourself as a member of our community
Artunio Talks 3: Is the Environment on Social Media Ridiculous? | Timotej Vrab
Feb 19 2023
Artunio Talks 3: Is the Environment on Social Media Ridiculous? | Timotej Vrab
Is the overall environment on social media just absurd? Is it appropriate to place art next to irrelevant content such as pets, pranks and political correctness? But that herein lies the problem we face when squaring up to mass content on platforms that treat us not as the content itself, but the product in which to profit off from. The reality is, we cannot expect social media to change. We need to assume accountability and build a new one that is designed for art and artists with conditions that are beneficial for the whole community. Listen, isn’t it always better to build your own house than to live under the restrictions of someone else's?Welcome to a brand new mini series covering our proposed launch of an up and coming digital space, suite of professional tools and dedicated ecosystem for the arts and culture - Artunio. Throughout the next four episodes, join me and Timotej Vrab as we look into the core issues of mainstream social media and how Artunio presents itself not only as an alternative, but a collective movement hoping to change the landscape once and for all.It's time to take back your creativity, artistic freedom and control of career choices by changing the way your art is produced, shared and valued!If you resonate, connect with me byVisiting Artunio Why is it important? How does it work? Wish to try?Soundtrack: Waterbeat - DJ Lengua | Harmitzvah - Coolzey Support the showLike what we do? Help us grow by Applying for The Jacob's Pillow 2024 For The School Catch Digital On Demand Streams Visiting The Background Dancer YouTube ChannelRate and review here Email me at backgrounddancer.jy@gmail.com Answer a survey Sign up here to receive future updates Leave a thought on Facebook and Instagram Join the Facebook group and introduce yourself as a member of our community
Artunio Talks 2: Does Social Media Downgrade Creativity? | Timotej Vrab
Feb 12 2023
Artunio Talks 2: Does Social Media Downgrade Creativity? | Timotej Vrab
Does social media actually downgrade your creativity? What are the obvious disadvantages of constantly churning out content for such platforms? A lot has changed from their humble beginnings and who knows how much more is changing as we speak. Even photographers who once upon a time came flocking over to Instagram, are now finding themselves leaving along with their dreams. Still think this doesn't concern you? Think again. Welcome to a brand new mini series covering our proposed launch of an up and coming digital space, suite of professional tools and dedicated ecosystem for the arts and culture - Artunio. Throughout the next four episodes, join me and Timotej Vrab as we look into the core issues of mainstream social media and how Artunio presents itself not only as an alternative, but a collective movement hoping to change the landscape once and for all.It's time to take back your creativity, artistic freedom and control of career choices by changing the way your art is produced, shared and valued!If you resonate, connect with me byVisiting Artunio Why is it important? How does it work? Wish to try?Soundtrack: Waterbeat - DJ Lengua | Weeknds - Dayfox Support the showLike what we do? Help us grow by Applying for The Jacob's Pillow 2024 For The School Catch Digital On Demand Streams Visiting The Background Dancer YouTube ChannelRate and review here Email me at backgrounddancer.jy@gmail.com Answer a survey Sign up here to receive future updates Leave a thought on Facebook and Instagram Join the Facebook group and introduce yourself as a member of our community
Artunio Talks 1: Is Social Media Suitable for Artists? | Timotej Vrab
Feb 5 2023
Artunio Talks 1: Is Social Media Suitable for Artists? | Timotej Vrab
Is social media suitable for artists? What are some of the challenges posed by Facebook or Instagram for artists and creators looking to build sustainable careers? While it might have been a great avenue to promote and network with fellow peers initially, much of social media has regressed over the years. Nowadays, we are seeing an increased aversion towards its application especially upon the creative industries. But all of this isn't new, is it? And where are the solutions, if any at all?Welcome to a brand new mini series covering our proposed launch of an up and coming digital space, suite of professional tools and dedicated ecosystem for the arts and culture - Artunio. Throughout the next four episodes, join me and Timotej Vrab as we look into the core issues of mainstream social media and how Artunio presents itself not only as an alternative, but a collective movement hoping to change the landscape once and for all. It's time to take back your creativity, artistic freedom and control of professional choices by changing the way your art is produced and valued!If you resonate, connect with me byVisiting Artunio Why is it important? How does it work? Wish to try?Like what we do? Help us grow byVisiting The Background DancerYouTube ChannelRate and review here Sign up here to receive future updates Leave a thought on Facebook and InstagramJoin the Facebook group and introduce yourself as a member of our communitySoundtrack: Waterbeat - DJ Lengua | Something Elated - Broke For Free Support the showLike what we do? Help us grow by Applying for The Jacob's Pillow 2024 For The School Catch Digital On Demand Streams Visiting The Background Dancer YouTube ChannelRate and review here Email me at backgrounddancer.jy@gmail.com Answer a survey Sign up here to receive future updates Leave a thought on Facebook and Instagram Join the Facebook group and introduce yourself as a member of our community
Special: Dancers' Adversities | J-Cast
Aug 14 2022
Special: Dancers' Adversities | J-Cast
What was the worst dance injury you've ever experienced? How did you eventually overcome it? As a dancer, injuries are almost a given. Some are little niggles, others are massive and potentially career-ending. Since everyone is bound to suffer at the fate of the injury bug at some point, shouldn't there be more support systems in place to prepare a dancer for such circumstances? In this very case, it's most definitely recovery over prevention as prevention is almost impossible. As part of another special entry leading up to the launch of Season 2 in 2023, EP.40 officially introduces the J-Cast, the three-men crew on the bi-weekly Clubhouse sessions. We are basically the roundtable version of the podcast, which makes this episode an apt choice for our special series. Furthermore, this was also recorded on the back of two members having suffered major injuries. How did they survive? Listen to find out!Joshua SailoAll House Dance CollectiveHarkness Center for Dance InjuriesSoundtrack: Birds - Tyler Twombly | Poison Ivy Yard Work - Uncle Milk  Support the showLike what we do? Help us grow by Applying for The Jacob's Pillow 2024 For The School Catch Digital On Demand Streams Visiting The Background Dancer YouTube ChannelRate and review here Email me at backgrounddancer.jy@gmail.com Answer a survey Sign up here to receive future updates Leave a thought on Facebook and Instagram Join the Facebook group and introduce yourself as a member of our community
Special: Cultural Wars of the Invasion | Oleksandra Korotchuk
Jun 5 2022
Special: Cultural Wars of the Invasion | Oleksandra Korotchuk
What would it take to finally gain cultural and political independence from Russia? How is the cultural landscape changing amidst this relentless conflict? After many false promises of a no invasion stance from President Putin, Russia crossed the border into Ukraine under the guise of a special military operation on February 24, 2022. Almost three months on, that so-called operation continues to wage on in the form of a full scale war. But even after incessant shelling, killing and unspeakable atrocities, Ukraine perseveres.Amongst those who chose to stay is Oleksandra Korotchuk, a Ukrainian artist and recent graduate of the Academy of Fine arts in Banska Bystrica, Slovakia. Her professional experience have included working as a film director, director of photography, photographer and video editor for the likes of Alliance Francaise and the Puppet Theatre in Banska Bystrica. What is it like to be an artist based there now? What is in store for Ukrainian artists heading into the future? What’s next in this evidently cultural war? Throughout this special episode, we explore the five biggest lessons learnt as a Ukrainian artist, told from the experiences of Oleksandra herself. Ready to dive deep into the cauldron of topical fire? Join us as we foreground dance and arts in the background!Oleksandra KorotchukInstagramOn Cultural OccupationHow Ukrainians are saving art during the warHistory between Ukraine and Russia Soundtrack: Birds - Tyler Twombly | Poison Ivy Yard Work - Uncle Milk Support the showLike what we do? Help us grow by Applying for The Jacob's Pillow 2024 For The School Catch Digital On Demand Streams Visiting The Background Dancer YouTube ChannelRate and review here Email me at backgrounddancer.jy@gmail.com Answer a survey Sign up here to receive future updates Leave a thought on Facebook and Instagram Join the Facebook group and introduce yourself as a member of our community