Teaching Artistry With Courtney J. Boddie

As educators, how do we decenter our ego? How do we decenter our authority? How do we give up the practice of regurgitating information to our students, demanding of them our definition of "success," and, instead, ally and co-conspire with them? These are the essential questions that frame Episode 41: "Dear Reader: In Solidarity, Felicia," featuring Felicia Rose Chavez, who is the Creativity and Innovation Scholar-in-Residence at Colorado College. Felicia is the author of the book "The Anti-Racist Writing Workshop: How to Decolonize the Creative Classroom," which is the basis of this episode's discussion. In their chat, co-produced by the Denver area's BookBar, it becomes clear that Felicia's commitment to this work offers thought-provoking, inspiring and innovative ways to restructure what creative expression looks and feels like. She advocates for the centering of students' artistry and the decentering of traditional authority, specifically that which perpetuates white supremacist power structures, includin

"Kids have a lot of teachers. They don't have a lot of artists in their lives." That quote, taken directly from this week's episode, frames the second part of Courtney's conversation with Russell Granet—New 42’s President and CEO! In Act 2 of Episode 40: “Striving Toward Belonging,” Courtney and Russell take a deeper dive into Russell's historical knowledge of teaching artistry. They dig into its evolution over the past few decades and discuss their hope that the profession as a whole leans into amplifying and highlighting the artistry of the extraordinary people in the field. This episode also delves into New 42's ongoing antiracism work, including the continued development of an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) ecosystem which calls in multiple perspectives in order to make accountability, equity and liberatory practices essential parts of the fabric of New 42's systems. If you missed it, be sure to listen to Act 1 of this great interview. In that episode, Russell talks about his journey from childh

Courtney talks with Russell Granet, New 42’s President and CEO, about his journey from childhood class clown, to artist, to teaching artist, to his current role as arts administrator. Russell’s time as a teaching artist, over 30 years ago, is of particular significance in this discussion, and his career, as this is the point during which he saw the systemic inequities—in terms of access to the arts and in regards to racist and discriminatory practices—built into the New York City school system. Russell also gives some great insight into the evolution of teaching artistry from its humble beginnings to its highly respected role in the arts education field.

In this episode, we feature a deep discussion, from the video series, "We Can't Go Back", between panelists Toya Lillard, Robyne Walker Murphy and Durell Cooper, around a number of topics including: saviorism in arts education; relinquishing power so that younger Black practitioners can step up; and holding arts organizations accountable so that anti-racist policies don't simply become language in a mission statement, but become integrated into their core practices. Anecdotally, and Courtney states this at the top of the episode, Toya, Robyne and Durell have been influential in the development of Courtney's liberatory practices and philosophy, and it's clear why. It's quite powerful to hear just how each of these arts practitioners view the inequities—and the possibilities—in the arts education field. Arts organizations all over the nation, and their leaders, have finally been put under a microscope. There is a demand for them to dig deep in order to interrogate and examine oppressive, white supremacist polic

First, Courtney sits down for a convo with Step Afrika! founder, C. Brian Williams. How can predominantly white institutions (PWIs) better respond to and dismantle their own oppressive practices in order to rebuild their infrastructure? Well, that's one question and one approach. But Williams thinks he has a better idea and call to action: cultivating a strong ecology of arts organizations that are equitably represented in the field. Williams says of arts organizations across the nation that they must examine what deeply rooted historic structures have prevented growth towards equity and telling stories that decenter whiteness, and celebrate the successes and failures that are a part of the history of this country through art. What else do Courtney and C. Brian discuss? And why does C. Brian Williams make a key reference to Dolly Parton? You'll have to listen to this inspiring conversation to find out! Up next, we have Michael J. Bobbitt. Currently he is the Artistic Director of New Repertory Theatre, but h

Hey, listeners! It’s our last episode of 2020 and, unlike the majority of this turbulent year, this episode is fire! The overarching question of this episode, which features both Khalia Davis and Quanice Floyd, is: “What does a liberated and racially just world look like?” And how do our guests answer this question? Well, you'll have to listen to Episode 37: “In Solidarity and Community”! First, Courtney sits down for a chat with Khalia Davis, a multidisciplinary artist and the newly-appointed Artistic Director of Bay Area Children’s Theater, to discuss the importance of representation and creating a dialogue for kids and their families about recognizing and confronting racism. The focus of much of their conversation is Khalia’s piece, “A Kids Play About Racism,” a play for young audiences based on Jelani Memory’s, “A Kids Book About Racism.” Khalia, who sees the arts as a means of amplifying and empowering marginalized communities, hopes that, ultimately, people who look like her will cease to question the

Courtney speaks with Alaina Newell, creator of the podcast "The Fourth Wall," as part of the video series “We Can’t Go Back.” In this insightful episode, Courtney and Alaina discuss Newell's podcast and its inception, and they confront the contradiction of theatrical safe spaces (and its severe lack of brave spaces). Candidly, Alaina admits that she has approached her participation in the field with compassion, but that compassion has not always been reciprocated, highlighting deeply-rooted institutional racism. One commonality that is very present in this episode is how and why Courtney and Alaina have both created their respective brave virtual spaces—their podcasts—in which BIPOC artists' voices must be centered, amplified and celebrated. Lastly, Courtney and Alaina discuss what is being done, what could be done and what must be done to dismantle systemic white supremacy within arts and cultural institutions. And how leading with anti-racism and amplifying Black voices—and hearing and listening to those vo

This episode opens with a discussion with our partners at Creative Generation's Jeff Poulin (Managing Director) and André Solomon (Community Engagement Specialist). An introduction to the podcast's video series, "We Can't Go Back," their dynamic discussion is around systemic racism and anti-racist practices within the fields of arts and arts education addresses the need for systemic restructuring, not incremental spotlighting of these very real issues, in order to make true change happen. And this discussion is not just theoretical. No. It's a discussion about intentional steps that both Jeff and Courtney are taking to actually make change an action, not wish, by cultivating liberated spaces and standardizing abolitionist teaching practices that decenter whiteness and honor the stories of artists who are Black, Indigenous and People of Color. The second half of the podcast is a fascinating conversation between Courtney and two giants in the fields of arts and arts education: Adia Tamar Whitaker, Artistic Dir

What's in the empty space between the lines? That's just one very meta-question that is asked in the continued conversation between Courtney and artist-educator Daniel Levy, author of the book, "A Teaching Artist's Companion." Their discussion becomes less of a linear journey from child to grown-up artist, and more of an exercise in examining one's adolescence and the foundations that, despite what one might be trying to build for themself at a very young age, are laid for them, leaving very little room for personal exploration and growth. And how does one find their individuality, their creativity, under those circumstances? One emerging theme from Courtney and Daniel's conversation is finding a love of the art form of music and harnessing the power of that art form in order to propel their artistry, fueling their creative journey and helping them identify the space between the lines and become the arts educators they are today.

What's in the empty space between the lines? That's just one very meta-question that is asked in this thoughtful exchange between Courtney and artist-educator Daniel Levy, author of the book, "A Teaching Artist's Companion." Their discussion becomes less of a linear journey from child to grown-up artist, and more of an exercise in examining one's adolescence and the foundations that, despite what one might be trying to build for themself at a very young age, are laid for them, leaving very little room for personal exploration and growth. And how does one find their individuality, their creativity, under those circumstances? One emerging theme from Courtney and Daniel's conversation is finding a love of the art form of music and harnessing the power of that art form in order to propel their artistry, fueling their creative journey and helping them identify the space between the lines and become the arts educators they are today.

Race, racism, prejudice and privilege. These are all issues that, on a global scale, seem to be digging furiously upward through layers of historical ignorance and dissension, and into all aspects of our collective discourse. These are also all themes in our brand new two-part series, featuring dramaturg, writer, actor, director and teaching artist Ted Sod. In moments of darkness, of aloneness, of internal and external conflict, one thing matters most: access to the arts. But, how does a person find the arts or become an artist in the absence of culture? How can a gay man find purpose, love and light in a world that holds so much against him? How does an artist of Lebanese descent find his true artistic self in a country built upon a foundation of prejudice demanding he conform to societal norms in order to be successful? These questions, and oh so much more, drive the electric and witty conversation between Courtney and Ted Sod. Please enjoy the conclusion of their conversation.

Race, racism, prejudice and privilege. These are all issues that, on a global scale, seem to be digging furiously upward through layers of historical ignorance and dissension, and into all aspects of our collective discourse. These are also all themes in our brand new two-part series, featuring dramaturg, writer, actor, director and teaching artist Ted Sod. In moments of darkness, of aloneness, of internal and external conflict, one thing matters most: access to the arts. But, how does a person find the arts or become an artist in the absence of culture? How can a gay man find purpose, love and light in a world that holds so much against him? How does an artist of Lebanese descent find his true artistic self in a country built upon a foundation of prejudice demanding he conform to societal norms in order to be successful? These questions, and oh so much more, drive the electric and witty conversation between Courtney and Ted Sod. Want to know how the conversation ends? Stay tuned for Act 2! You won't want to

What do "Orange Is the New Black," Depeche Mode, Buddha and dance have in common? Our newest guest, Lucy Wallace! This remarkable woman is the founder of Dance to be Free, an organization that aims to radically impact the lives of incarcerated women through the healing power of dance. In this fascinating discussion, Lucy talks to Courtney about her seemingly serendipitous journey from dancer, to dance teacher, to discovering unique ways of healing through dance. With a focus on working with incarcerated women, some committed to a lifetime of imprisonment, Wallace's organization takes the art form directly to prisons across the country and creates engaging experiences through a trauma-informed lens. It's through that framework, and taking inspiration from Tennessee-based clinician and researcher Dr. Bruce Perry's "six r's of healing trauma," that Dance to be Free leans into the therapeutic nature of rhythm. The goal, Wallace notes, is to create opportunities for program participants to process moments in their

Where are you? How are you feeling? How are you reacting to this moment? These are the questions that launch this episode's dynamic discussion around systemic racism and anti-racist practices within the fields of arts and arts education. On Thursday, July 16, 2020, TYA/USA* hosted "Centering Black Leadership in TYA," a virtual town hall with Black artists, educators and leaders in Theater for Young Audiences (TYA). That town hall—led by TYA/USA Board Members Idris Goodwin and Dexter J. Singleton, in conversation with Michael J. Bobbitt, Courtney J. Boddie, Gloria Bond Clunie and Jacqueline Handy—held space for exploring the current moment(s) we're experiencing (the Covid-19 pandemic, the Black Lives Matter movement) and how different community organizations are, or are not, responding to this moment in time. The panel also discusses the importance of critical examination of systems of oppression within the TYA field and how to meet those systems with thoughtful, actionable responses by implementing anti-racis

Courtney sits down with Rachel Watts, an artist and arts educator committed to advocating for and creating equitable arts programming for young people. She is also the artistic mind behind the #ArtsAreEssential campaign. In their discussion, Rachel, born in Ghana and raised in Trinidad, talks about her experiences at Carnival—a cultural celebration that employs music, dance, procession and masquerade—and cultural celebrations that take place here in New York City. The staggering dichotomy between the two: the absence and existence, respectively, of physical and cultural barriers. Courtney and Rachel also discuss this essential question, attributed to Watts's friend and colleague Megan Bang:* "How can arts education move from an assimilative endeavor to one that contributes to thriving education systems?" *Megan Bang, who is of Ojibwe and Italian descent, is a Professor of the Learning Sciences and Psychology at Northwestern University.

The world around us is in upheaval. It's changing rapidly. We are changing. Meteoric shifts are taking place. We are witnessing not a moment in time, but a movement. We believe this movement, this rebellion, is sure to change the course of humanity. We must lead with purpose, speak with intention and lift up our fellow human beings to their highest height so that their voices, so often silenced, are heard. Black Voices Matter. Black Stories Matter. Black Lives Matter. This episode is deeply personal and emotional. Using her proud, strong voice, Courtney examines her past and how her past experiences inform who she is today. She interrogates how her response to and actions within this movement will shape her future.

The second act of Courtney's conversation with Dale Davis begins with more dialogue between Courtney and a plethora of her friends and colleagues in the arts world to chat about what they've been up to since the COVID-19 pandemic began. She asks questions like: How do you identify as an artist? What kind of art are you making right now? What innovative shifts are you seeing in the arts world? Listen to hear, through multiple perspectives, just how this pandemic has inspired folks to #KeepMakingArt.* Courtney then continues her charming chat with writer, educator, publisher, scholar, producer and dramaturg, Dale Davis. In this chat, one bold essential question is pervasive: What is the power of the arts, and what can it do for humanity? In this interview, Dale talks about her passion for literary work, how the arts have had the most impact on her, and how artists like Lorraine Hansberry, Kurt Cobain and Tupac Shakur have had a profound effect on her work and her understanding of youth culture. Pop those earbu

Episode 30, Act 1: Dale Davis “Artist. Educator. Champion.” begins with a chat between Courtney and a plethora of her friends and colleagues in the arts world to chat about what they've been up to since the COVID-19 pandemic began. She asks questions like: How do you identify as an artist? What kind of art are you making right now? What innovative shifts are you seeing in the arts world? Listen to hear, through multiple perspectives, just how this pandemic has inspired folks to #KeepMakingArt.* Courtney then sits down for a charming chat with writer, educator, publisher, scholar, producer and dramaturg, Dale Davis. In this chat, one bold essential question is pervasive: What is the power of the arts, and what can it do for humanity? In this interview, Dale talks about her passion for literary work, how the arts have had the most impact on her, and how artists like Lorraine Hansberry, Kurt Cobain and Tupac Shakur have had a profound effect on her work and her understanding of youth culture. Pop those earbuds

In the next act, Courtney continues her conversation with Daniel Levy, author of "A Teaching Artist's Companion: How to Define and Develop Your Practice," in which Daniel discusses the steps and missteps of creating a book meant to inspire Teaching Artists to aspire higher through their artistry and their approaches to arts education. Courtney also continues her chat with multi-disciplinary artist, Ali Santana (2019 award for ‘Innovation in Teaching Artistry’ from the Association of Teaching Artists), currently a Teaching Artist at The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). In this chat, Ali talks about his artistic passions, where his arts training led him, how the perils of cookie-cutter art-making changed his artistic trajectory landing him in the world of fine art and inspiring him to incorporate education into his teaching practice.

Our latest episode begins with a chat between Courtney and Daniel Levy, author of "A Teaching Artist's Companion: How to Define and Develop Your Practice," in which Daniel discusses the steps and missteps of creating a book meant to inspire Teaching Artists to aspire higher through their artistry and their approaches to arts education. Courtney also sits down for a chat with multi-disciplinary artist, Ali Santana (2019 award for ‘Innovation in Teaching Artistry’ from the Association of Teaching Artists), currently a Teaching Artist at The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). In this chat, Ali talks about his artistic passions, where his arts training led him, how the perils of cookie-cutter art-making changed his artistic trajectory landing him in the world of fine art and inspiring him to incorporate education into his teaching practice.