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Author: Blythe Stephens

Real Criticism – Fraught to Fabulous, Fine to Fugly Feedback Examples

Recently I shared a new workshop called “Fine Feedback: How to Give & Receive Constructive Criticism & Promote Dance in the Process” with a group of talented dancers & choreographers at West Hawai’i Dance Theatre.

Content included practicing a host of powerful tools for distinguishing fact, interpretation, empowering & disempowering input about our creative work.

During the workshop, I shared examples like the ones I read off index cards in this video, from fabulous to fraught, words of feedback I’ve heard and received in the context of dance technique, performance, choreography, and even publishing on YouTube…

Fine Feedback Workshop – How to Give & Receive Constructive Criticism & Promote Dance in the Process

In the “Fine Feedback” workshop, dancers and choreographers will learn tools to solicit, evaluate, and provide high-quality critique, practice distinctions, and come away with supportive structures that can be applied to future dancemaking.

Spring into Stories – Rough Draft Creative Writing Challenge 2025

Spring is here in this “real time” and place of Cologne, Germany in April, 2025 and it’s time for me to take on another creative writing challenge!

Also want to accomplish something artistic this month? There are a lot of ways to make the process fun with support and accountability from others, and here I’m sharing how I’ll be doing so this season (and how I keep my writing practices going on all year).

February was for Demonstrating & Dancing, Love, Karneval & Eating Disorders Awareness – 2025 Month 2 Reflection

February was for protest & partying, demonstrating & dancing, love, Eating Disorders Awareness Week & Koeln Karneval!

The first blossoms emerged from the earth, filling me with excitement to bloom with you this season.

Spring Flings & Bright Things: a Bucket List of Fresh, Joyful Seasonal Experiences

Spring is a season I find easier to embrace than the cold winter, having waited through the dark part of the year for its arrival seemingly with baited breath.

Being a (late) spring baby myself, I’ve always been especially drawn to the season, the themes of new life, rebirth, emergence, vitality, fertility, the increasing warmth and light, and joy! From the first early blossoms and rays of Sun leading up to the Spring Equinox, to the long, bright days of the Summer Solstice, I do my best to make the most of this richly potent season of growth and development.

January was Gently Jumping into the New Year – 2025 Month 1 Reflection

In January I enjoyed a reflective and celebratory staycation, lots of teaching, trying new things, and planning an extraordinary 2025!

My intention for a “Gentle January” held true, even as a new cycle of teaching, coaching, and experiences began.

We had a festive Silvester/NYE into a restful and reflective New Year’s Day, played Fussball/Soccer Billiards with friends for the first time, saw lots of pretty Snow (the snowiest winter so far since I moved to Germany), returned to learning Tango, and attended Live Art at a local gallery.

Protests leading up to German election began and would continue in February, important times to defend democracy and human rights!

Accelerate Action – Celebrate International Women’s Day with A Blythe Coach

Happy Women’s History Month in March and International Women’s Day Saturday, March 8th, 2025!

In celebration of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, I’m sharing complimentary mini dance workshops in-person and online as well as resources from the hosts of this important event.

International Women’s Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality.

Twenty 25s in 2025: Analog Project Planning & Action Tracking, Creative Bullet Journal Style

Having enjoyed the benefits of tracking “Twenty-three 23’s in 2023” and “Twenty-four 24’s in 2024” actions in my Bullet Journal collections, I’m back for more in 2025!

Arranged according to my 8 major focus areas; Read, Write, Create, Practice, Serve, Connect, Sustain, and Adventure; in this way I get a somewhat holistic picture of my intentions and goals for the year. I focus on actions I can take, then see what results occur. Then I reflect, recommit or change direction, and carry on creating!

Building a Healthy Relationship with Body & Food – Eating Disorder Awareness Week 2025

Eating Disorders Awareness Week (EDAW) is an annual campaign to educate the public about the realities of eating disorders and to provide hope and visibility to individuals and loved ones impacted by eating disorders. Taking place Monday, February 24 – Sunday, March 2, 2025, I have once again signed up to be an EDAW Collaborator, sharing important resources with students, clients, and my community! This issue is close to my heart as a dancer, educator, and person who has grown up in a toxic diet and body culture, working hard to break free of such restriction and all harmful constructs.

Float in 2025 – Word / Intention of the Year

“Twenty Twenty-Five
so good to be alive,
finding me floating,
spreading wings to fly.”
My 2025 Word of the Year is FLOAT!
This year I wish to ride the momentum forward that the bravery of leaping and strength and resilience in climbing has built. There’s still work to do, but we are now at a height to soar, with the perspective to see more than ever before.
This intention is supported by images, poetry, music, and other media.

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