Springboard Danse will make its United States debut, in partnership with Point Park University, from Sunday, May 25, 2025 to Friday, June 13, 2025. The final showing, through which Emerging Choreographers will present new creations alongside the work of Principal Companies, will be held on Friday, June 13, 2025, at the Pittsburgh Playhouse. In addition to the final showing, Emerging Choreographers will present an excerpt of previously created work at the PLATFORM, a showing that is open and free to the public.

The application process for the Emerging Choreographer Program has concluded for the 2025 season. 

Please check back in late September for application information for the 2026 program.

EMERGING CHOREOGRAPHERS

2025

EMERGING CHOREOGRAPHERS

Program Details

The Emerging Choreographer Program provides selected artists with a 27-hour residency through which they generate a new work on Springboard dancers. The work will be presented through a works-in-process showing, alongside the repertory and creations of our Principal Companies. Incorporated within this unique professional development opportunity, Springboard provides each Emerging Choreographer with versatile dancers, who may become future collaborators, in an environment that stimulates and facilitates the creative process. Furthermore, the selected artists are provided with 35 hours of additional studio space for independent creative research.

Springboard’s Emerging Choreographers have historically represented a myriad of voices, highlighting the many perspectives that comprise our ecosystem. In its selection of dance makers, Springboard does not discriminate on the basis of sex, gender, race, sexual orientation, color, national origin, socioeconomic background, or any other protected characteristic. We encourage all voices to apply.

THE SELECTION PROCESS

Each year our selection panel is comprised of five highly-respected artists from diverse experiences, who identify widely across gender, race, and sexual orientation. Each panelist looks at every application. After reviewing the submissions individually, the panel convenes to methodically discuss and assess the work of each choreographer one-by-one. The evaluation process focuses on the quality and presentation of the artists’ work and their choreographic history, with a disassociation to their age, image, and orientation in an effort to keep the selection process nonpartisan.

Applicants are not limited to a specific geographic location; however, international artists are responsible for their own visa expenses and procurement. All artists are responsible for their own travel, living, and housing expenses and arrangements.

WHAT MAKES A CHOREOGRAPHER A GOOD FIT FOR SPRINGBOARD?

The panel looks carefully at the artist’s resume, artistic statement, written or verbal proposal, and the supporting video materials. Strong importance is placed on the clear and compelling articulation of one’s ideas—in both the choreographic and written or verbal form. The panel takes into consideration the artist’s experience working with large groups, the suitability of the proposed work for Springboard Danse’s performance venue, and the compatibility of the work with our dancers’ interests and the overall curation of the Springboard Danse.

PROGRAM PERKS

  • $1,000 flat fee

  • 17 dancers in your cast (selected through an audition process)

  • 27 hours of rehearsal with your cast

  • 35+ hours of studio residency time for individual research

  • Rehearse and generate work in state-of-the-art studios

  • Present previously created work (10 minutes) at the Pittsburgh Playhouse through the PLATFORM (showing)

  • Present work in process (6-minute proscenium work or 20-minute installation) at the Pittsburgh Playhouse and alongside world-renowned Principal Companies through our Final Showing

  • Meet and work with an incomparable network of choreographers, stagers, directors, and dancers

  • Work will be witnessed by our global Springboard network, as well as invited directors and producers

  • Be considered for future, paid commissions by Point Park University’ School of Dance

    • Point Park University’s School of Dance may engage a choreographer to return during the academic year to create a work for the undergraduate dancers. Selected choreographers will be paid a $4,000 - $6,000 commission fee. Travel, housing, and per diem will be provided.

  • Option to host an audition for upcoming projects

  • Option to take class each morning throughout the three weeks

  • Option to participate in the afternoon workshops throughout week one

  • Option to observe Principal Company rehearsals throughout weeks two and three

PREVIOUS EMERGING CHOREOGRAPHERS

  • Photos (top to bottom):

    2017 SBDM_Emerging Choreographer, Ryan Mason_©David Katzenstein

    2022 SBDM_Emerging Choreographer, James Vivieros_©Michael Slobodian

    2018 SBDM_Emerging Choreographer, slowdanger_©David Gonsier

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