Biography and education
As Artistic Director of Shay Ishii Dance Company and Dancestry, Shay Hartung seeks to immerse her audience in a kinesthetic and aesthetic experience of sensation, light and sound. Her extensive background in the work of Erick Hawkins has instilled a deep appreciation for artistic heritage and inspired a mission to keep historic dance alive, accessible and relevant. She hopes to carryover this vision and commitment in co-directing Opening Door Dance Theatre and continue its vibrant tradition. Shay holds an MFA from Sam Houston State University and has taught dance at Texas State University since 2005. She completed her Pilates certification with PhysicalMind Institute. She has presented choreography and lectures across the United States, France, Scotland and Germany and collaborated with innovative artists of all disciplines, including sculpture, painting, opera, choral and orchestral music. Her classic approach to creating and teaching movement is committed to a clear aesthetic that embodies simplicity, truth and beauty in movement. As a teacher, she seeks to guide her students to a more profound connection to their own bodies and the space and community that surround them.
Teaching Interests
Research Interests
Featured grants
- Hartung, Shay Lee. Luminaria, $2200. (Funded: March 2013). Grant.
- Hartung, Shay Lee. City of Austin Special Opportunities Grant, $750. (Funded: 2007). Grant.
- Hartung, Shay Lee. Graduate Thesis Concert Grant, Sam Houston State University. (Funded: 2005). Grant.
- Hartung, Shay Lee. Honors Thesis Grant, Southwest Texas University. (Funded: 1996). Grant.
- Isii, Shay L (Principal). City of Austin Cultural Contract 2021-2022 Season, City of Austin Cultural Arts Division, Municipal, $3000. (Submitted: May 2020, Funded: September 1, 2021 - July 1, 2022). Grant.
Featured scholarly/creative works
- Costume design/Construction, El Vaiven del Rialejo.
May 2025 - June 2025.
Showings:
- October 23, 2025 - October 25, 2025 Harrison Theater/Texas State University, San Marcos, TX.
- Costume Designer, Into the Light.
October 2024 - October 26, 2024.
Performances:
- October 24, 2024 - October 26, 2024
- Costume Designer/Construction, TerraMontes.
June 2024 - August 2024.
Showings:
- Leaving the light on; Celebrating Forty Years, Opening Door Dance Theatre. October 24, 2024 - October 26, 2024 Patti Strickel Harrison Theater, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666.
- Life in Motion. February 22, 2025 Colorado Dance Festival, Denver, Co.
- Greece International Film Festival. March 31, 2025 Athens, Greece.
- Frome International Climate Film Festival. May 18, 2025 Somerset, UK.
- MAFRA Film Festival. May 23, 2025 Mafra, Portugal.
- Dance Days Chania. July 28, 2025 Greece.
- Quinling Mountains Film Festival. August 15, 2025 Shaanxi, China.
- Gjon Mili International Video Art Festival. August 20, 2025 - August 31, 2025 Korce, Albania.
- Festival de Videodanca FIVRS. August 21, 2025 - September 21, 2025 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
- Locals Only Screening. September 2, 2025 - September 25, 2025 Boulder, CO.
- FIDA Screendance Festival. October 5, 2025 Colorado Springs, Co.
- Common Ground. October 19, 2025 Fort Collins, CO.
- Folkestone Film Festival. November 3, 2025 Folkestone, Kent, UK.
- FIMUDANZA. March 8, 2026 Morelia, Mexico.
- Costume designer, Terminé.
September 1, 2021 - October 27, 2023.
Performances:
- Rewritten: Opening Door Dance Theatre and Texas State Opera. October 24, 2021 - October 27, 2021 Harrison Theater, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX.
- mending. June 17, 2022 Bravo Theater, Austin, TX.
- American College Dance Festival. March 2022 Lamar University, Beaumont, TX.
- Austin Dance Festival. July 2022 Long Center, Austin, TX.
- Coco Dance Festival. October 2023 National Academy for the Performing Arts, Port of Spain, Trinidad.
- Co-choreographer, a heart unbound.
July 1, 2021 - June 24, 2023.
Performances:
- Rewritten: Opening Door Dance Theatre and Texas State Opera Collaboration. October 24, 2021 - October 27, 2021 Harrison Theatre, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX.
- Being with, Body Mind Center Association 2023 Conference. June 2023 Hobart and William Smith Collegees, Geneva, NY.
Featured awards
- Award / Honor Recipient: Deparmental Achievement Award for Scholarly/Creative Activity, Department of Theatre and Dance. November 2017 - July 2018
- Award / Honor Recipient: #1 of Top 10 Thrills No Frills, Jonelle Seitz Dance Critic for Austin Chronicle. January 2018
- Award / Honor Recipient: “Best Short Choreographic Work,” Motherwell Amor, Dancestry….Vivid, Austin Critics Table. May 2016
- Award / Honor Nominee: “Best Ensemble,” La Mer, Dancestry…Vivid, Austin Critics Table. May 2016
- Award / Honor Nominee: “Best Concert,” Dancestry, Austin Critics Table. May 2016
Featured service activities
- Member
Hawkins West
- Other
Hawkins Southwest/Hawkins Archive/Hawkins Dlugoszewski Foundation
- Member
Dance Alumni Committee
- Member
Body Mind Centering Association
- Other
Erick Hawkins Foundation/Hawkins Dlugoszewski Foundation
- Member
Popular Culture Association/American Culture Association Conference