SURGE: Call for Choreographers
Seeking a choreographer to create a new work for SURGE, a program supporting emerging and early career dance artists.
DEADLINE TO APPLY: Friday, October 25, 5pm AST
Mocean Dance is seeking a Halifax-based choreographer to create a new work for early career artists. The initiative is part of SURGE, a new development and creative incubation program intended to serve the next generation of professional dance artists. The selected choreographer will have three weeks to explore and develop a new, short dance work (10-15 mins) with three dance artists, culminating in an informal, work-in-progress studio showing. Dancers will be selected by open call / audition by the choreographer in collaboration with Mocean’s Co-Artistic Directors.
Qualities we are seeking: The intention of SURGE is to offer early career professional dance artists an opportunity to develop their skills as nuanced performers and dance interpreters. We are interested in working with motivated choreographers who are able to challenge emerging artists artistically through modes including (but not limited to): demanding physicality, theatricality, floor-based work, partnering, etc. and who are skilled at working with emerging artists who may have diverse training and movement modalities.
Eligibility: Open to experienced mid-career to established choreographers who have created/presented a minimum of three professional works. Priority will be given to Halifax-based, independent choreographers (without a company structure), who have not created works for Mocean to date.
Contract Dates /Location: Three-week creation period to be scheduled between mid-January to early March 2025, based on choreographer and dancer availability Rehearsals take place at Halifax Dance, Monday-Friday, between 10:00-4:00pm (exact hours to be confirmed).
Fees: Choreographers will be paid a flat fee of $3000.
To Apply : Please fill out this form and attach a C.V. (max. 2 pages) or a short bio (150 words). Deadline to apply is Friday, October 25, 5pm. C.V. optional for artists who have worked with Mocean in the past two years.
Selection Process: Choreographers will be selected by a committee composed of Mocean’s Co-Artistic Directors and one guest artist.
We welcome and encourage people from all communities and intersecting identities to apply. This includes Indigenous people, LGBTQ+ & Two-Spirit people, Black people and people of colour.
*** If you have any questions, or if the registration form or any aspect of the format presents a barrier for you, please connect with susanne@moceandance.com. Options for a scheduled informal chat can be made available ***
About SURGE:
SURGE is a new development and creative incubation program intended to serve the next generation of local dance artists by providing an opportunity to work with an established choreographer in a professional company setting. The work is intended to challenge emerging artists to push their technical and interpretive skills while also receiving support and mentorship from seasoned artists and Mocean’s leadership. This program was developed in response to community feedback for more opportunities for emerging artists to expand their interpretive skills, and for established choreographers to develop work.
