Call Me Dancer: Film Screening & Live Dance Performance

Movement and Mentorship

Experience Call Me Dancer, a highly acclaimed, award-winning, and inspiring documentary about pursuing artistic dreams against the odds, paired with the debut of an original live dance performance created in collaboration with thinkIndia Foundation and the Indian Student Association at UT Dallas. Following the screening, filmmaker Leslie Shampaine, will be joined by members of thinkIndia and ISA for a reflective discussion about the film’s themes, the power of dance to unite community, and the ways we learn from one another and grow collectively.

This evening celebrates dance not only as performance, but as resilience, connection, and possibility. Together, the performance, film, and conversation invite audiences to consider what it means to take creative risks, embrace uncertainty, and to find belonging through movement.

Program schedule:

6:30-7:00 p.m. Live Dance Performance
7:00-8:30 p.m. Film Screening
8:30-9:00 p.m. Panel Discussion
9:00-9:45 p.m. Reception with light refreshments

About the Film:

Manish is an athletic street dancer from India, whose working-class parents are depending on their only son for support. When he accidentally walks into a dance school and encounters Yehuda, a curmudgeonly 75-year-old ballet master, a passion ignites within him. Despite all odds, he is determined to make it professionally. Together, this unlikely duo embarks on a journey that transforms both of their lives.

1 hour and 24 minutes; TV-PG

About Leslie Shampaine:

Leslie Shampaine has been telling stories throughout her professional life. From the ballet stage where she performed across the world during a 13-year career, to the television screen where she has produced award-winning programs for PBS, Discovery Channel, A&E, CBS, and Al Jazeera​ Her work ranges from documentaries to cultural and educational series and includes 8 years as part of the production team for the Emmy award-winning Kennedy Center Honors.

In 2024, she was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to India, where she led workshops and film screenings. Her work continues to build global connections, bridging cultures through storytelling, mentorship, and a deep commitment to the arts.

About thinkIndia Foundation:

thinkIndia is a fully volunteer driven organization. They connect with people in the community to create spectacular Broadway-style theatrical productions as well as art & culture exhibits and associated programming, and use the proceeds to care for those in need by supporting charitable causes and promoting the arts.

About Indian Student Association:

The Indian Students Association (ISA) is a non-profit socio-cultural association within the Student Organization's Forum at The University of Texas at Dallas, which is home to thousands of Indian students. ISA represents every one of them and strives to make each student feel at home. Even thousands of miles from India, ISA draws colorful Indian culture through its various programs throughout the calendar year. A key purpose of ISA is to provide ample opportunity for all students of Indian origin to interact, share, and educate about the culture and heritage of India amongst themselves as well as the UTD community at large.

Parking & Directions to the (ATC)

For best access to ATC, park in (PS1)

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Please park in Gold and/or Orange spaces only.

On-campus Driving Directions to PS1:

• From Floyd Road, turn west onto Bryce Jordan Drive
• Turn south onto Drive G
• Enter Parking Structure 1 (PS1)

Walking Directions from PS1:

• Exit PS1 and head west toward campus
• Walk past the Davidson-Gundy Alumni Center (DGA)
• The ATC building will be directly behind DGA

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Host or Publisher Crow Museum of Asian Art