“I have to create, because that is an extension of my breath,” is just one of the many insights into living deeply and meaningfully as an artist that 62-year old director and choreographer extraordinaire Marlies Yearby shared during our illuminating conversation in this episode. The multiple honors she’s received include Tony and Dora-award nominations for her choreography of RENT, the Drama League Award for the Los Angeles production of RENT and critical acclaim for her company, Movin’ Spirits Dance Theater. Her activism and creativity also extend to healing and wellness as the creator of the “In Our Bones” creative process; to food activism in her newest project, Seed Awakening on the Eve of Blue, a multi-media space combining music, technology, science, voice and theater; and a recent foray into Digital Arts and the new world of Non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Her unstoppable and fearless curiosity and creativity buoyed our spirits as we know they will do for our listeners. And we trust you will not hesitate to find one of her performances, buy one of her Digital Art pieces and become as avid a Marlies Yearby follower as we have become!
Marlies is the first in our three-part series of talks with choreographer and dance artists and – wow! – what a way to begin! Stay tuned for our upcoming conversations with Jody Oberfelder and Donna Uchizono. Coming soon!!