CALL FOR CHOREOGRAPHERS

The West Side Show Room is seeking 4 choreographers for our upcoming Dance Theater project.

PROJECT TITLE: Rockford Dance Theater [Working Title]

PAY: $500 stipend

PERFORMANCE DATES: Jan 24 - Feb 9, 2025

LENGTH: 60 minutes

LOCATION: West Side Show Room - Black Box

APPLY: Send email and links to your work to dance@wssr.org

DEADLINE: Applications are due Oct 20th, 2024

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The West Side Show Room, in collaboration with Rockford choreographer Stephanie Foster, will present an original dance program tentatively titled “Rockford Dance Theater.” 

Dance Theater is an innovative performance art form popular in Europe but rarely seen in Rockford. This highly entertaining form blends elements of contemporary dance and traditional theater to tell stories, express emotions, or convey ideas through movement, while incorporating the use of sets, props and costumes in a way that are not commonly seen in modern dance. 

This event will present original choreographed works of five local choreographers working with seven student performers. Special attention will be given to ensure racial equity and representation among the choreographers and student dancers.

Unlike typical dance recitals which are often performed 1-2 times, Rockford Dance Theater will be presented like a play— multiple performances per week over the course of 3 weeks. 

CONCEPT

Choreographers will be given a defined space and set of objects to work with. Each choreographer will create an 8-12 minute piece, with careful attention paid to transitions. We are interested in works that explore comedic, whimsical, and unique relationships between the dancers and the objects. Choreographers will collaborate to develop the concept, select music, and craft a complete narrative arc.

KEY PERSONNEL

Director: Stephanie Foster
Producer: Epic Jones
Production Manager: Colin Meyer

HOW TO APPLY

Interested choreographers are invited to apply by submitting a resume to dance@wssr.org along with samples of work, such as videos or an online portfolio. Submissions will be reviewed, and selected applicants will be contacted for next steps.