DANCERS

Each dancer will have the opportunity to connect with and be seen by 10 Principal Companies, 7 Emerging Choreographers, 2 Resident Choreographers, and 1 Fellow.

Springboard Danse’s ecosystem comprises national and international dancers representing a vast spectrum of movement training and backgrounds. In its selection of dancers, Springboard does not discriminate based on sex, gender, sexual orientation, race, national origin, religion, or socioeconomic circumstances. We welcome all professional-track and professional dancers over 18 years of age to audition. 

The audition season has concluded for the 2025 season; please check back in late September for audition information for the 2026 project.

Program Details

  • JOIN THE SPRINGBOARD FAMILY and meet 120 dancers who may become career collaborators

  • BE SEEN BY 20+ companies, directors, choreographers, and producers in the field 

  • WORK WITH 10 Principal Companies, 2 Resident Choreographer, 1 Fellow, 4 Emerging Choreographers

  • 15 morning classes with Springboard Artists

  • 5 afternoon workshops with 5 Principal Companies

  • 27 hours of rehearsal with a single Principal Company

  • 27 hours of creative process with a Resident, Fellow, or Emerging Choreographer (OPTIONAL)

  • Participate in a final showing featuring all Principal Company, Resident, Fellow, and Emerging Choreographers’ work at the Pittsburgh Playhouse

  • Be witnessed by invited industry guests, agents, managers, directors, producers, companies, and choreographers

  • Build intimate and authentic connections with choreographers, stagers, and directors that fuel career connections and transitions in the near and distant future

  • Potential to participate in pop-up performances presented throughout Downtown Pittsburgh

  • Dance in Point Park University’s state-of-the-art facilities

  • Access exceptional support provided by UPMC’s Sports Medicine athletic trainers throughout the project

PROGRAM COSTS

TUITION: $1975 this includes a non-refundable deposit fee of $275

*payment plans available

SCHOLARSHIPS: Springboard Danse endeavors to make it possible for every invited dancer to attend the project regardless of their financial situation. To this end, Springboard reserves a limited amount of funds to offer in financial aid to dancers upon request.

Aid is awarded on the basis of financial need and is relative to the applicant pool each year. Priority is given to self-supporting professional dancers who have rent obligations and have given up income to do the project. Please note that Springboard Danse receives no outside funding from the government or other philanthropic sources, and we strongly encourage applicants to seek funding from multiple sources.

HOUSING

All participants in the program must arrange for their own accommodations. 

The project will use Point Park University’s George Rowland White dance studios throughout the summer. For the participant's convenience, on-campus dormitories will be available (upon request, our team will connect participants with Point Park's on-campus housing team for arrangement).

For easiest access if participants choose to stay elsewhere, we recommend staying in Downtown Pittsburgh (the location of Point Park University), the Strip District, the North Shore, or Lawrenceville neighborhoods. There are several public transportation bus lines to get around the city. 

Springboard Danse aids the professional dancer at all stages of their career, with no maximum age consideration. The three-week project cultivates a shared language of professionalism that values the creative process and connection above all else. Springboard Danse is recognized worldwide as a destination for career development. Since the organization’s inception in 2001, Springboard has curated artists from over 40 countries, and directly connected more than 900 dancers to paid jobs.

Springboard Danse fosters a dynamic artistic ecosystem and, through our stimulating environment, dancers are given the opportunity to network with world-renowned companies, choreographers, producers, directors, and casting agents. Springboard Danse is designed as a platform to facilitate major transitions in an artist’s career, whether between jobs or in their very first job search.

Principal Companies are curated annually and represent leading contemporary dance companies. During the first week of Springboard Danse, a hand-selected casting team observes the participating dancers in a variety of workshops that focus on both international repertory and the creative process, before pairing them with a company that is most beneficial for their career. Each Principal Company has the rare opportunity to witness a dancer’s work over a three-week period. In this way, a working relationship is established between the dancer and the company that cannot be found in a traditional audition setting. Not only does this mutually beneficial relationship create an invaluable global network of artistic peers, it also provides working opportunities and future collaborations.

Both years I have attended Springboard, it has given me a confidence that I have never been able to grasp. I cannot begin to express my gratitude for your dedication for fostering an environment for emerging artists and providing connections that might not have happened without your help.

-Dava Huesca

Springboard Dancer 2018 & 2019, recipient of the Air Founder's Residency from the Jonah Bokaer Arts Foundation

  • Photos (top to bottom):

    2018 SBDM_Principal Company, L-E-V _©Michael Slobodian

    2017 SBDM_Principal Choreographer, johannes wieland_©Michael Slobodian

    2022 SBDM_Principal Company, Hofesh Schecter _©Michael Slobodian

    2022 SBDM_Principal Choreographer, Ohad Naharin _©Michael Slobodian

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EMERGING CHOREOGRAPHERS