Welcome to the new season of act/re/act, a podcast exploring improvisation through conversations with remarkable artists. In this first episode I have the pleasure of talking with Chris Aiken, a wonderful dancer who has extensive experience in improvisational performance, contact improvisation, and improv pedagogy. He is truly an expert in weaving together the intellect and the visceral. I loved this conversation and I hope you do as well!  Here is Chris' bio: Chris Aiken is a leading international teacher and performer of dance improvisation and contact improvisation.  Over the past four decades his work has evolved through ongoing investigations of performance, composition, ecology, movement technique, the perception, and design. Chris has performed and collaborated with many renowned dance artists including Steve Paxton, Kirstie Simson, Nancy Stark Smith, Peter Bingham, Andrew Harwood, Patrick Scully, and Angie Hauser, among many others.  He has received numerous awards for his artistic work, including fellowships from the Guggenheim, the Bush and the Jerome foundations as well as commissions from the Walker Art Center, Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, Dance Theater Workshop, Bates Dance Festival and the National Performers Network. Find Chris on the web here: https://www.smith.edu/academics/faculty/chris-aiken You can find my website here: https://www.danielburkholder.com/ Enjoy this conversation and stay tuned for many more this season! Take care, be well, and live spontaneously!    Photo: Male dancer balancing on one hand with legs perpendicular to body, beige floor and background and wearing grey pants and long sleeve shirt.