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INFORMATION for
ARTISTS
Use the links below to find the information you need.
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Rehearsal Space ~ Classroom
Space for Dance, Theater, Performance, Comedy, etc.
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Dance Companies ~ Links
to information about the companies performing in Dance Chicago
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For all other inquiries, e-mail john@dancechicago.com
IMPORTANT:
Artist Deadline is August 15, 2008.
Dance Slam Deadline is August 15, 2008.
A Letter for Artists
participating in Dance Chicago 2008
2/1/2008
Dear Artists of Dance Chicago:
Greetings from Dance Chicago. First, congratulations to
all participants of Dance Chicago 2007 for your spectacular performances.
Over 14,000 audience members and press were inspired by your creativity:
more premieres, higher quality performances, greater talent than ever before.
Second, this notice is a request to contact me immediately if you wish to
propose a work for Dance Chicago 2008. The development
of new choreography of the highest artistic quality remains a major focus
of the festival. The deadline for the submission of a videotape of your work
is August 1, 2008. This application
will apply to everyone, including Dance Slam and Extended Views.
The new form must be emailed to me: john@dancechicago.com In
addition, we now require a $20 application fee to review up to 10 works.
I will be curating each work on each program, via dvds (or videotapes).
I must see your proposed work: either a performance dvd or a rehearsal dvd.
Festival positions are secured by the quality of the work submitted.
Works should come from two different categories: 1) submission of a work that is
finished and has been performed and
can be submitted on dvd now (August 1 deadline),
and 2) new work in process - choreographers must make commitments to music, number of
dancers, cast/sets/costumes/lights and furnish a rehearsal dvd or
arrange a live rehearsal viewing prior to August 1, 2008.
We are interested in seeing quality work from anyone, but the dances must
fit into our programming structure. Three programs, New Moves, Extended Views
and Dance Slam, allow for greater range in artistic expression.
Programs like Opening Weekend, Grand Finale, Jazz Fusion, Dance for Kids, Too!,
Stars of Dance Chicago, and International Rhythms need to be more specific. We want you to start
immediately on your dance for 2008.
The website, www.dancechicago.com,
will soon be listing the programs, updates and application form for 2008.
If you wish to create dances for more than one program remember that
the perfection of one dance is more important than the creation of
two or more average ones. In addition, shorter dances are more
versatile and can often be used on multiple programs. Dances longer
than 8 minutes have to be exceptional to hold up to audiences and
critics. The optimum time for a dance is 5 to 9 minutes. The most
successful works (i.e. good reviews, audience appeal, etc.) are
generally in this time range.
Remember we offer only performance fees, not creation fees. The fee
level is directly related to the level of funding from corporations,
foundations and individuals. What we can offer to artists changes
each year.
To encourage creativity and innovation we will be continuing the Dance
Chicago Choreography Award. This cash award of $1,000 will be given to
the Chicago choreographer who produces, in our opinion, the best Dance Chicago
premiere in 2008. The winner for 2007 was Eddy Ocampo.
Extended Views.
Choreographers will be given an opportunity to produce longer works,
up to evening-length works, or create an exhibition of multiple works
on the same program. Many artists, particularly choreographers in the
Dance Chicago Choreography Project have requested opportunities to
expand their work on one program. In this program the emphasis will
be on the choreographer and not the company or ensemble.
Choreographers, as independent artists, often do not have the
resources necessary to exhibit extended views of their work as
companies do, Dance Chicago hopes that these programs will help to
address that need and will help to take the choreographers to a new
level. Please use the regular application process for this new show,
but send a special email to: John Schmitz:
john@dancechicago.com
of your interest in this program.
High Schools & First time Dance Chicago / Dance Slam Artists, please
take note of the following:
The Dance Slam dates for 2008 are TBA.
Best acts may be offered spots on other Dance Chicago programs or in
the Dance Chicago Tour.
Dance Slam is a means of introducing new
members of the dance community, and presenting new works, new works in
progress, and risky collaborations. All works will undergo audience and
staff evaluation. Works cannot exceed 5 minutes under any circumstances.
There will be as many as 20 companies/acts, so it is critical to keep
your time less than 5 minutes so that all will have an opportunity to perform.
The development of new choreography of the highest artistic quality is
a major priority of the festival. We want you to start working soon to
perfect your dance for Dance Chicago 2008.
Your application deadline is August 1, 2008, and a fee of $20 must accompany
applications after this date.
Please note the production meeting: Date and Time TBA the Dance Chicago Center, 1439 West Wellington, next to the Athenaeum - this is mandatory for
all directors (dancers need not attend).
Again, you must contact me
immediately if you are interested in participating in Dance Chicago
2008. Email is the only efficient means of communicating
what you are proposing: john@dancechicago.com.
If we do not hear from you by August 1, 2008, we will assume you are not
interested in participating. Applications are available on the website
at www.dancechicago.com. Video tapes or dvds submitted last year must be
picked up at the Dance Chicago Center (next to the Athenaeum) in the evenings,
Monday through Thursday from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm before July 31. They
will not be mailed. Call evenings at 773/404-4423 before coming for the
pick-up.
We have rehearsal space available in the Dance Chicago Center,
next to the Athenaeum in Alphonsus Academy and Center for the Arts, third
floor. We have 5 large dance studios for inexpensive rentals if you need
space to rehearse. Rehearsing at the Center allows time to view
the work’s progress on a regular basis. If you are having trouble getting your ideas
performance ready, inform me as early as possible with any problems.
We can often be helpful in getting you aligned with the support you need.
If you do not keep us informed about the status of your dance, we may
have to cut you from the program if it falls short of our artistic expectations.
Exact time calculation is also very important. All did an excellent job
last year.
Send DVDs and a printed copy of your emailed application with your $20 application
fee to:
John Schmitz
Dance Chicago
5851 North Kenmore, 3S
Chicago, IL 60660
Note: Please send all packages by regular United States Postal Service,
not UPS.
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