***The following audition notice attempts to align with standards set forth by Dance Artists’ National Collective (https://danceartistsnationalcollective.org/audition-guidelines/). If you have questions about something not addressed in this notice, or in any of the associated links included, please email contact@chrismastersdance.org. We will do our best to amend this posting with responses to pertinent questions to ensure complete transparency. Revisions will be placed at the bottom of this post.***

 

ChrisMastersDance is currently looking for 1 new collaborator to join our organization to participate in the reconstruction and performance of an existing work. This work is set to be presented in December 2023 in San Francisco. 

 

Potential collaborators should have:

-3+ years professional level dance company experience
-Deep interest in improvisation, contemporary movement, and hyper-physical partnering
-Passion for collaborative environments, virtuosic dancing, and movement generation
-Should be kind, curious, empathetic, compassionate and dedicated individuals

 

For the purpose of this project, our home location is New York City. All applicants should be able to reasonably and consistently commute to rehearsals in Manhattan or Brooklyn. 

 

Rehearsals will occur consistently in Manhattan or Brooklyn as follows:

-Fridays/Mondays from 6p or 7p to 10p

-Saturdays/Sundays for 4-6 hours

 

Rehearsals will also occur in week long residency blocks as dictated by cast availability. 

 

Rehearsals are held at the following (or comparable) venues, based on scheduling availability:

-New York Live Arts

-New York City Center

-Mark Morris Dance Center

-Martha Graham Dance Center

-Gibney Dance Center

-Movement Research

-Joyce East Village

 

Compensation structure is as follows:

$30/hour for rehearsal (including studio, technical, dress, photo/video shoots)

$300/each performance

$100/day per diem when outside of NYC home base

$40/stipend each way for getting to/from airport

Economy travel and lodging while on tour (shared rooms)

 

Unfortunately at this time, ChrisMastersDance is unable to provide health care, paid or sick time off, visa sponsorship, or any other benefit other than the compensation outlined above. In the event of illness or extenuating circumstances, CMD will look to find alternative working scenarios, typically requiring some sort of remote work, as available. While our organization continues to grow, we are prioritizing finding ways to be able to provide these additional benefits. 

 

Additional details:

-Payroll is sent electronically on the 7th and 21st of each month

-All collaborators will receive 1099s and are considered independent contractors

-All collaborators will be required to sign binding contracts with CMD and artist releases with photographers/videographers/installation artists

-All collaborators are required to show proof of COVID vaccination and eligibility for US based employment via completed W9

-Rehearsals are conducted maskless

-Rehearsals all begin with a 30 minute self-directed warm-up (compensated) with the expectation we begin moving full-out at half past the hour

-Rehearsals 4 hours in length also include a 15 minute break (compensated)

-Rehearsals 6 hours in length also include a 45 minute lunch break and a 30 minute cool down (both compensated)

-Rehearsals 8 or more hours in length also include a 60 minute lunch break and a 30 minute cool down (both compensated)

 

Interested parties should send the following to contact@chrismastersdance.org, with the subject line “2023 FALL AUDITION - (YOUR STAGE NAME)”

-1-2 page resume in PDF format as an attachment, including your preferred pronouns, contact information, emergency contact information, at least one professional reference from the dance field, known allergies, recent relevant performance history, recent relevant choreographic history, additional non-dance skills (video editing, graphic design, administrative experience, grant writing, etc) and any formal dance education (note: a degree in dance is not required)

 

In the body of your email submission:

Link to a dance work you have choreographed or a dance work you had a strong collaborative voice in building (please note which one you are sending) - no reels please, complete works only
Link demonstrating contemporary partnering - 1 minute minimum, excerpt of a separate work is acceptable, please note start/stop cues 
Zelle or CashApp handle

 

Links to dance footage do not need to be professional quality. If your links require passwords, please include those as well. 

 

Incomplete applications will be disregarded and due to the volume of applicants, not considered or replied to. Please double check thoroughness before sending. 

 

Submission deadline is September 12, 2023.

 

You will be notified of selection status via email by September 15, 2023. 

 

If you are selected, potential collaborators will be invited to a PAID workshop occurring on September 23 & 24 from 12p to 4p. Compensation will be sent within one week of the completed workshop in the amount of $240 via Zelle or CashApp. All potential collaborators must be available for the entire audition, no exceptions. There will be no callbacks. Cuts will not be made during the course of the audition workshop, as there are many elements that make for a successful CMD collaborator. Additionally, due to the nature of our work, video or virtual auditions are not possible. 

 

Audition structure: 

-Working sessions will be devoted to movement generation and performance including solo work, partnering work, ensemble work, task-based devising, and improvisation

-There may be some taught choreography to function as a prompt for further investigation 

-All potential collaborators will work in bare feet

-All potential collaborators should be comfortable with weight sharing, and are expected to participate in weight sharing partnering work

-All potential collaborators should wear comfortable clothing that is not prohibitive to movement or partnering. Please be mindful of jewelry that could injure others. 

-The auditions will be videotaped for the exclusive purpose of review by existing collaborators with the director. None of the recorded audition footage will be published to social media or used for any other promotional purposes. Participation in the workshop constitutes implied consent to video recording. 

-Work generated through the audition process will not feed into the creation of this or any new work. 

-No early preparation will be required for the session. All readings, writings, and generation will occur at the audition. 

-All potential collaborators should not bring any substances that could trigger an allergic response, including wearing strong scents or bringing certain foods like nuts/nut products.

 

Follow up 30 minute interviews for finalists will be scheduled based on availability (between September 25-29, 2023) and will be conducted in person or via Zoom. All audition participants will be notified of the final outcome by September 30, 2023. 

 

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to contact@chrismastersdance.org. 

 

ChrisMastersDance is a 501(c)(3) organization registered in the state of New York. 

 

ChrisMastersDance does not have any union affiliation.