Faculty Profile for Shay Lee Hartung

profile photo for Shay Lee Hartung
Shay Lee Hartung
Assoc Professor of Instruction — School of Theatre, Dance, & Film
JOW 142
phone: (512) 245-2147
Scholarly/Creative Work
Awards
Grants
Service

Biography Section

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

 Somatics, body integration and awareness

Research Interests

 Preservation and presentation of historic dance works

Selected Scholarly/Creative Work

  • Costume Designer, Into the Light. October 2024 - October 26, 2024.
    Performances:
    • October 24, 2024 - October 26, 2024
  • Costume Designer, 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.
  • 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.
  • Costume Designer, 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 Centering Assocation 2023 Conference. June 2023 Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Geneva, New York.

Selected 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: Fresh and Forward Thinking, Dancestry, Austin American Statesman, Best of Austin Arts 2015. May 2016
  • Award / Honor Recipient: Fresh and Forward Thinking, Dancestry, Austin American Statesman, Best of Austin Arts. May 2016
  • Award / Honor Nominee: “Best Concert,” Dancestry, Austin Critics Table. May 2016

Selected 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.

Selected Service Activities

Member
Hawkins West
2016-Present
Member
Body Mind Centering Association
January 2022-Present
Member
Popular Culture Association/American Culture Association Conference
April 2019-Present
Other
Senior Appreciation Committee for Department of Theatre & Dance
2016-Present
Participant
Scholarship Committee for Dance Division
August 2016-Present