American Spectacle Podcast: Dance, Culture, and American Movement

A vintage-style microphone is positioned on a stand against a dark, blurred background.

American Spectacle Podcast explores the rise—and reckoning—of America’s global influence in the performing arts, with a sharp focus on dance. From the jazz age to today’s shifting cultural landscape, host Thomas K. Flagg engages in candid conversations with leading voices in the field, including Alexandra Wells (former head of Juilliard Ballet), acclaimed choreographer Jamal Story, and world-renowned hip hop artist Raphael Xavier. Where have we come from—and where are we headed?

Guests include celebrated artists and educators such as Bill Shipley, Jamal Story, Peter Chu, Elka Samuels Smith, and Alexandra Wells — each offering a unique perspective on the shifting landscape of American movement culture.

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Alexandra Wells on Ballet Legacy, Reinvention, and Dance Leadership

Alexandra Wells joins Thomas King Flagg for a wide-ranging conversation about ballet legacy, artistic resilience, and leadership across performance and direction. The episode traces a career shaped…
A woman with long wavy hair sits in an empty theater, facing the camera and smiling, with a dimly lit stage in the background.

Anna Morgan on Dance Research, Training, and the Thinking Dancer

Anna Morgan joins Thomas King Flagg to discuss dance education through the lens of research, pedagogy, and lived studio practice. The episode centers on a key question: what kind of dancer are we…
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Bill Shipley on Arts Funding, Community Spaces, and Cultural Access

Bill Shipley joins Thomas King Flagg for a conversation about the practical side of building arts culture: funding, community infrastructure, and sustained local support. The episode looks at how…
A woman with red hair and a black top sits in an empty theater, smiling at the camera. The stage and rows of seats are visible in the background.

Carol Cusack on Irish Dance, Community, and Cultural Continuity

Carol Cusack joins Thomas King Flagg to discuss Irish dance, community traditions, and the social role of performance culture. Their conversation explores how dance lives both on formal stages and in…
A woman with curly hair and a patterned top sits in a theater auditorium with empty seats and dim lighting in the background.

Elka Samuels Smith on Tap Dance, Culture, and Arts Advocacy

Elka Samuels Smith joins Thomas King Flagg for a conversation about dance as family legacy, cultural language, and public responsibility. The episode explores tap history, dance management, arts…
A man in a red shirt sits in a dark, empty theater, smiling slightly, with rows of red seats and a stage in the background.

Jamal Story on Dance, Identity, and Arts Education

Jamal Story joins Thomas King Flagg for a wide-ranging conversation on dance, identity, and why arts education matters far beyond the stage. Episode 3 connects personal story with practical…