The Moth Podcast: Putting on Our Dancing Shoes Release Date: January 17, 2025
Host: Blaise Ferrer
Storytellers: Katie Rivard & Jessica Ribera
Location: Various Story Slams and Personal Experiences
Introduction
Blaise Ferrer welcomes listeners to the episode titled "Putting on Our Dancing Shoes," setting the stage for stories that intertwine dance with personal growth and resilience. The theme draws inspiration from historical dancers, emphasizing dance as a medium for joy and self-expression accessible to individuals of any age.
Katie Rivard’s Story: Embracing Dance Amidst Chaos
[02:55 - 08:44]
Overview: Katie Rivard shares her transformative journey from a struggling teacher in Tucson, Arizona, to finding solace and identity through dance. Her narrative illustrates how embracing a passion outside her professional struggles enabled her to reconnect with herself and improve her relationship with a challenging student.
Key Points:
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Relocation and Initial Struggles:
- Katie moves from Boston to Tucson for a teaching job, facing immediate challenges such as car troubles and cultural shock.
- Quote: “Everything looks like Mars to me because I'm from Michigan.” [03:15]
- She spends her initial weeks isolating, watching Amy Schumer’s "Trainwreck" repeatedly as a coping mechanism.
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Professional Challenges:
- Upon starting the school year, Katie discovers the teaching environment is chaotic, leading her to adopt a strict, type A approach to regain control.
- A particularly difficult student, Maria, exacerbates her stress by throwing tennis balls, symbolizing the disruptive environment.
- Quote: “Ms. Rivard was a total train wreck, Katie had a pretty good year.” [08:10]
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Turning to Dance:
- To escape her teaching frustrations, Katie auditions for an adult dance class, wearing mismatched attire and initially feeling out of place.
- Quote: “I just want to book it out of here.” [05:10]
- Todd, the studio owner and former prominent dancer, encourages her despite her initial performance struggles.
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Personal Transformation Through Dance:
- As her teaching situation worsens, Katie immerses herself in dance, finding freedom and self-expression that contrasts her rigid teaching methods.
- A pivotal moment occurs during a Dia de los Muertos celebration when Maria writes Katie’s name repeatedly, triggering an emotional breakthrough in a dance class.
- Quote: “I had lost track of Katie. I had become like, fully Ms. Rivard.” [07:30]
- Todd's affirmation, “Katie, that was fucking amazing,” empowers her to make significant changes both in her teaching and personal life.
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Improved Relationships and Self-Discovery:
- Katie modifies her disciplinary approach, becoming more relaxed and authentic, which leads to improved relationships with her students, including Maria.
- The reconnection with her true self through dance helps her build trust and mutual respect with her students.
Conclusion of Katie’s Story: Katie reflects on how dance not only provided an escape but also facilitated personal growth and better professional relationships, highlighting the profound impact of embracing one's passions during challenging times.
Post-Katie Interview: Continued Dance Journey
[08:44 - 09:58]
Host Blaise Ferrer:
Blaise inquires if Katie continued dancing after her transformative experience and how those lessons influenced her life.
Katie Rivard’s Response:
- Although recent relocations have limited access to dance classes, Katie maintains her passion by dancing at home and practicing independently.
- Quote: “Taking up dance classes as an adult really taught me a lot, primarily how to be at home in my body.” [09:25]
- Dance instilled confidence and a willingness to embrace new experiences, ultimately influencing her participation in The Moth Story Slam.
- Katie emphasizes the importance of overcoming fears, which led her to share her story publicly.
Jessica Ribera’s Story: The Almost Dancer
[12:34 - 18:28]
Overview: Jessica Ribera narrates her deep-rooted passion for ballet, her ultimate dream of joining the New York City Ballet, and the unforeseen tragedies that reshaped her life and career. Her story underscores the delicate balance between ambition and the fragility of dreams.
Key Points:
-
Early Passion for Ballet:
- Jessica’s childhood aspiration to become a ballerina, fueled by her small-town Texas environment and legendary teachers who sent daughters to the prestigious New York City Ballet.
- Quote: “I just wanted to get out of my small town in Texas and wind up in a city, and preferably New York City.” [13:30]
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Influence of George Balanchine:
- Her admiration for Balanchine, the founder of the New York City Ballet, who integrated Western Texas culture into his choreography, resonating with Jessica’s identity.
- Quote: “If he liked it, then that was still okay and I could still be a dancer.” [14:45]
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Breaking into Professional Ballet:
- Jessica’s dedication leads her to the School of American Ballet and the Pacific Northwest Ballet, where she lands an understudy role in "Western Symphony."
- The story reaches a climax when she is unexpectedly called to perform due to an injured dancer, highlighting her readiness despite minimal preparation.
- Quote: “I can totally do this.” [17:51]
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Triumphant and Tragic Performance:
- Jessica’s impromptu performance during "Western Symphony" is a fulfilling realization of her dreams, blending her Texas roots with Balanchine’s vision.
- However, three years later, an on-stage accident results in a career-ending injury, marking a poignant end to her dance aspirations.
- Quote: “That moment, doing Western Symphony, doing these steps, it was like one of the most wonderful moments of my life.” [17:54]
Conclusion of Jessica’s Story: Jessica reflects on the duality of achieving her dream and the subsequent loss, emphasizing the lasting impact of those moments on her life and identity.
Post-Jessica Interview: Life After Dance
[18:28 - 19:34]
Host Blaise Ferrer:
Blaise prompts Jessica about her life post-injury and whether she returned to dance.
Jessica Ribera’s Response:
- Jessica has danced in smaller companies, taught children, and taken on roles such as rehearsal director post-injury.
- The physical and emotional aftermath required extensive healing, leading her to write her ballet memoir, The Almost Dancer.
- Currently, she balances her time as a mother of four, a choreographer for her children’s high school musical, and an aspiring writer.
- Quote: “My dancing life gave me grit and courage. Losing it gave me the opportunity to learn compassion, find new joys, and appreciate the gift of being present.” [19:10]
Conclusion of Jessica’s Post-Story Insights: Jessica shares her journey of rediscovery and how dance, despite its abrupt end, continues to influence her approach to life, emphasizing resilience and the importance of living in the moment.
Conclusion
Blaise Ferrer wraps up the episode by highlighting the profound connections between dance and personal transformation shared by both storytellers. The episode underscores dance as a powerful tool for self-expression, healing, and building meaningful relationships, regardless of age or circumstance.
Final Quote from Blaise Ferrer:
“Today is what we're here for. My dancing life gave me grit and courage.” [19:10]
Additional Information
Producer Credits:
- Produced by Sarah Austin, Janess, Sarah Jane Johnson, and Mark Salinger.
- The Moth leadership team includes Sarah Haberman, Christina Norman, Jennifer Hickson, Kate Tellers, Marina Clouche, Suzanne Rust, Leeann Gulley, and Patricia Urena.
Sponsors:
- Rosetta Stone
- Bilt
- Lumen
- NetSuite
Acknowledgments: Special thanks to Odyssey, the executive producers Jenna Weiss Berman and Leah Rees Dennis.
Visit Themoth.org for more information on programs, live events, and pitching your own story.
Note: All stories presented are true and as remembered by their respective storytellers.