SLMDances seeks a dance artist who is a mature performer to fill the role of GUEST ARTIST to rehearse and perform in our spring/summer 2023 season. Guest Artists are engaged in specific rehearsal and performance engagements and their primary responsibilities are artistic collaboration. 

Guest Artists are an integral part of the SLMDances collective community and are intentionally immersed in the collective process, even though they may not hold the same robust responsibilities as Creative Partners. Guest Artists must believe in and uphold our Core Values: 

DREAMING, ACTIVISM, TRANSPARENCY, HUMANITY, COMMUNITY, LEARNING. 

 

REHEARSAL + PERFORMANCE CALENDAR

Summer 2023, SLMDances will produce PURPLE: A Ritual In Nine Spells. Learn more. All rehearsals and performances will take place in NYC. 

Rehearsal Schedule [Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday] 

*Collective Class offered every Tuesday and Thursday 10AM-12PM. Artists should arrive at Saturday rehearsals warm and ready to work. Additional occasional evening or weekend rehearsals may be scheduled as needed, scheduled in collaboration with the artist. 

Saturdays, 12-4PM: February 4, 18, March 4, 11, April 1, 29, May 20 Tuesdays, 12-3PM: February 7, 14, 21, 28, March 7, 21, 28, April 4, 18, 25, May 2, 16, 23, 30 

Thursdays, 12-3PM: February 9, 16, 23, March 2, 9, 30, April 6, 20, 27, May 4, 18, 25 

Pay Rate: $15/hour 

Technical Residency 

*artist should reserve the full day for participation with SLMDances 

Dates: April 10-15, 2023. 

Pay Rate: $750 [$125/day @ 6 days] 

Production Residency 

*artist should reserve the full day for participation with SLMDances 

Dates: May 31-June 2, 5-8, 2023. 

Pay Rate: $1120 [$160/day @ 7 days] 

Performances 

Dates: June 9-11, 16-18, 23-25, 2023. 

Pay Rate: $1800 [$200/show @ 9 shows]

Please note that this is not a full-time role and SLMDances cannot currently commit to being a primary income source. This is a six month commitment, with the intention that you will renew your commitment to participate in our 2023-2024 touring season (currently in planning), and a hope that you will make a long-term investment in our community. 

 

WHO YOU ARE 

The collective seeks dancer-actors and movement practitioners who have a minimum of 2-3 years experience working as an artist in NYC, and are actively developing their gender and anti-racist analyses. In alignment with SLMDances’ Statement on Race and Gender, the collective maintains a ratio of 60 percent Black folks represented to 40 percent non-Black people of color and white folks represented. Black women and femmes are highly encouraged to audition in order to maintain the balance in our mixed-race collective with a mission that prioritizes the stories of Black folks. Artists who are age 40 and over are also highly encouraged to audition. 

Dancers must have a strong technical foundation. Our movement pulls together orientations from the African diaspora, attention to the architecture of traditional modern dance, and the language of Laban/Bartenieff Fundamentals grounded in the use of breath, voice, and personal choices. You are an improviser, including contact improvisation, and you have a strong sense of musicality in your dancing. You understand dance as ritual, as spiritual practice, as that which channels, challenges, and celebrates. This does not mean you have a specific religious practice, but rather you understand the Divine power of movement. 

As actors, you are embodied storytellers articulating narratives through voice and movement. You are excited to partner in dramaturgical research and the theater devising process. 

Interested artists should deep dive into our PURPLE project website to ensure interest and alignment in the work. 

 

WHO WE ARE 

SLMDances works collaboratively, values continual learning, and is invested in one another's success. Creative works and educational workshops are collectively researched and co-created. Still, each of our artists is a bawse in their own right: we are responsive, creative problem solvers, independent thinkers and clear communicators who are organized, appreciative of feedback, and value high quality work.

We encourage all candidates to review the SLMDances website in depth to learn more about us and our work, including our FAQ page. If you have any questions about SLMDances or the application process, please contact allegra@slmdances.com. 

 

HOW TO APPLY 

Audition applications will be accepted until the role is filled. 

Round 1/Application: Please complete our online application form. You will be asked to respond to a series of short answer questions, upload a 1 minute video introduction, upload a CV detailing performance experience, a headshot, and a minimum of one reference. 

Artists who seem to be in alignment with the culture and needs of SLMDances will be invited to the next round. 

Round 2/Audition and Interview: Artists will be invited to a group audition and interview on Friday, February 10, 11:30-1:30pm at Abrons Art Center. Artists should be prepared to move and be in dialogue with the SLMDances team and fellow participants. Artists who seem to be in alignment with the culture and needs of SLMDances will be invited to the next round. 

Round 3/Ensemble Rehearsal: Invitations to join ensemble rehearsals with current PURPLE cast and creative team will be sent out on a rolling basis. You should be prepared to move and participate fully in the rehearsal process. More detailed information will be shared in the invitation. Artists who seem to be in alignment with the culture and needs of SLMDances will be invited to join the cast. 

 

COVID PROTOCOL 

Vaccination 

All Creative Partners, Visioning Partners, and Guest Artists 5 years or older taking part in the in-person rehearsal process must be fully vaccinated from Covid-19, at least 14 days after their final dose of a vaccine authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the World Health Organization (WHO). 

All persons must be willing to submit documentation of their Covid-19 vaccine record. Acceptable proof includes a photo/scan of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) vaccine card, screenshot of their vaccine passport with an active QR code (NYC Covid Safe App, New York State Excelsior App, Docket App, or other U.S. State / National equivalent) or vaccination documentation provided by the person’s country of origin or vaccination.

Vaccine boosters, if eligible, are strongly encouraged. If accommodation has to be made due to an existing condition, please disclose any necessary information as soon as possible to the SLMDances Health Accountability Partner: rebecca.gual@gmail.com or (347) 445-3795 (voice only). 

Certain venues will require full Covid-19 vaccination and booster. Requirement details will always be included within the seasonal attendance/schedule spreadsheet and within the Google Calendar details for in-person activities. 

Testing 

To ensure the well-being of our collective, all Creative Partners, Visioning Partners, and guests 5 years or older taking part in the in-person rehearsal process must be willing to test regularly for COVID-19, via Rapid Antigen Test. Covid-19 takes 3-5 days to incubate within the body, negative testing does not always denote that you have not been exposed. 

SLMDances will provide rapid antigen tests at the beginning of each rehearsal. A positive test result will require the person to immediately isolate themselves from the group and seek out a PCR test for a more solid conclusion of their exposure rate. 

Masks 

Medical grade masks (KN95, N95, or KF94) must be donned during the entirety of the in person activity. Masks must be worn properly, covering both the nose and mouth. Bandanas, reusable cloth masks, buffs, gaiters, and masks with vents are not allowed in the rehearsal studio. 

Masks may only be removed if absolutely necessary (water and snack breaks, severe trouble breathing or any other emergency event). Once a mask (or masks) is removed, all bodies must practice physical distancing responsibly, maintaining a distance of 6 feet or more between themselves and other bodies.