CALL FOR DANCE MAKERS

Application Deadline: May 1, 2025

Applications are open for Small Plates Choreography Festival Austin 2025, a series of two curated dance performances to be presented on Friday, September 5 and Saturday, September 6, at Ground Floor Theatre located in the nationally renowned eclectic artistic community of Austin, Texas.

Hosted by Austin Movement Artist Jennifer Williams of Haven Movement Company

Date, time and location:
September 5, 2025 at 8:00 p.m. and September 6, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.
Ground Floor Theatre 979 Springdale Rd Ste 122 Austin, TX 78702

Programming: Dance works of any dance genre up to 10 minutes in length will be considered for inclusion in one of two performances.

Small Plates welcomes the applications of all genres of dance. We are most interested in work that explores the intimate nature of this performance, the uniqueness of the venue (more below), and the impact on the community and our audience members. Accepted applicants are expected to perform the piece with which they applied.

Venue: 

Ground Floor Theatre is a black box theatre venue that seats up to 114 audience members. It is fully equipped with wings, backstage and a green room with a bathroom. The floor is smooth cement and is not sprung. Shoes are welcome to be worn during performances, but barefoot dance is accepted and commonly seen in this venue. Performers will remain backstage during the entirety of the show.

Technical Support: Basic stage lighting and a video projector will be available. Choreographers will provide three lighting cues with basic looks (no specials) and any sound and video files relevant to their work within one week of acceptance. Technical rehearsals will take place on Thursday, September 4 for local artists, and the day of the performance for out of town artists. Each artist will be given 20-30 minutes for their tech, and call for all performers is two hours prior to showtime.

Post-Performance Talkback: Small Plates creates a growth environment by facilitating feedback sessions with the audience after each performance. All performers and choreographers are expected to remain on-site after the performance to engage with the audience in dialogue about their work. The artist/audience interface is what makes Small Plates truly special, and the arts-infused community of Austin, Texas will undoubtedly bring thought-provoking inquiry. Please consider this discussion as part of the performance when considering your travel needs.

Video: Please submit a video link for the work you would to present in your application. Applications without a video link will not be considered (please do not email the video) and montage videos cannot be adjudicated. Studio footage is acceptable. Completed work will be given preference over work-in-progress.

Fees: An application fee of $50.00 per piece is required. Your fee must be paid via Paypal before your work will be considered. All fees collected will directly support the selected artists in their performance. *We do not have funds available for fee waivers at this time.*

Adjudication: Entries will be adjudicated by career dance professionals from around the country that specialize in various areas in the field. Our mission is to create an impactful growth environment for artists and audiences by producing curated showcase-style performances. Adjudicators will be looking for pieces that exhibit a combination of artistry and performance quality full of innovation, diversity and various cultural perspectives. Programming decisions will weigh the opinions of the adjudicators alongside other factors, including balancing the program between local and traveling artists. Adjudicators will submit their choices to the director and performance host, both of whom will make the final programming decisions.

Compensation: Choreographers who have their work chosen will be responsible for their own travel and accommodations and will be supported with a per-company stipend of at least $100. Choreographers will receive one complimentary ticket to the performance in which their work appears and will be given a video and photographs of their performance after the show.

Small Plates is not able to assist international choreographers in obtaining visas. 

Dates: The deadline to apply is May 1, 2025. You will be notified by email on or before June 1, 2025, with our decision of acceptance or rejection. If your piece is accepted, you will have one week after you receive our acceptance email to submit your program information, technical information, publicity photos, and sound and/or video file.

To apply, please complete the entire form at https://smallplatesdance.com/apply/austin/ and pay an application fee. Incomplete or unpaid applications will not be considered.

For further information, please email smallplatesdance@gmail.com.