Ep. 152. In this episode, I sit down with Alexandra Beller, brilliant choreographer, educator, and artist, to explore the deep, often radical connection between creativity, the body, and the soul. We talk about how dance isn’t just an art form, but a way of being.
Alexandra shares how listening to the body opens pathways to intuition, artistic truth, and even rest. We unpack the messy magic of the creative process, the lifelong journey of unlearning what we were taught about worth, and how creating art is a radical act of self-trust and authenticity. This conversation reminds us that joy and play aren’t luxuries, they’re part of the work. That rest is not a reward, and that our creativity, when rooted in embodiment, becomes a tool for healing, remembering, and becoming.
Segments
Introduction to Alexandra Beller and Her Work
Embodied Creativity: The Role of the Body in Decision Making
Dance as a Life Force: The Interconnection of Movement and Existence
The Secret Mess of Making Art: Navigating Inner Chaos
Unlearning and Trusting the Creative Process
Creativity as a Radical Act: Embracing Authenticity
The Role of Play and Joy in Life
Alexandra's Bio
Alexandra Beller is a celebrated choreographer, director, and educator with over 25 years of experience in dance, theater, and the creative process. A former company member with the renowned Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, she is the founding director of Alexandra Beller/Dances. She has taught at universities across the country, guiding students and artists through embodied, brave, and deeply personal creative journeys.
Alexandra is also an award-winning choreographer for the stage, an intimacy director, and the author of two influential books: The Embodied Conductor and The Anatomy of Art: Unlocking the Creative Process for Theater and Dance. Her writing offers a rare blend of poetic depth and practical guidance, inviting makers to disrupt creative autopilot, trust their instincts, and reconnect with the body as a source of truth. Alexandra helps artists find their voice, their rhythm, and their way back to joy.
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