***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 anything 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 in order to ensure complete transparency. Revisions will be placed at the bottom of this post.***

 

ChrisMastersDance is currently looking for 3–5 additional company members to join our existing cast. While the full work will premiere in NYC in Fall 2026, the creative process will include performances via episodic previews interspersed throughout 2025–26. Expected commitment is no less than 24 months, with domestic and international touring currently being planned. 

 

All dance artists are welcome to apply, though it should be noted that past successful collaborators have demonstrated:

-Experience and interest in generative tactics through which collaborators create/devise movement using theoretical and text-based prompts, rather than provided phrases;

-Professional experience, including touring as well as the presentation of their own work;

-Deep interest in improvisation, contemporary movement, and hyper-physical partnering;

-Passion for collaborative environments, virtuosic dancing, and movement invention;

-Soft skills such as maturity, professionalism, dedication, respectfulness, openness, kindness, curiosity, empathy, compassion, dedication, a strong sense of humor, clear communication style, and resiliency.

 

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 6/7p–10p

Saturdays/Sundays, for 4–6 hours (schedule will vary based on space and dancer availability)

*Regarding consistency, we anticipate that rehearsals will occur in 1–2 week-long intensive blocks—as dictated by cast availability and residency opportunities. 

 

Rehearsals are expected to be held at the following (or comparable) venues, dependent on scheduling availability:

New York City Center

Martha Graham Dance Center

Movement Research

 

Compensation structure is as follows:

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

$300/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, 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 twice per month

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

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

-All rehearsals begin with a (compensated) 30-minute self-directed warm-up, with the expectation of beginning full-out movement at the end of that period (if you require additional time to prepare, most rehearsal venues have warm-up spaces that will accommodate—but this additional time is uncompensated)

-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 15-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 “CMD AUDITION - {{YOUR STAGE NAME}}”

-1–2 page resume in PDF format as an attachment, including:

-your pronouns

-contact information

-emergency contact information

-at least one professional reference from the dance field (with contact information)

-known allergies

-recent relevant performance history (non-academic)

-recent relevant choreographic history (non-academic)

-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, please also include: 

-Any links to footage that helps us better get to know you—this can include choreographed work, performance work, improvisation, or reels

-Narrative about yourself

-Level of familiarity with our body of work

-Zelle or Venmo handle

 

Links to dance footage do not need to be professional quality, but please do not send any links that require log-ins or passwords. These will not be reviewed. 

 

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 February 3, 2025, and notifications will be sent by February 9, 2025.

 

If selected, potential collaborators will be invited to a paid workshop occurring February 14–16, 2025, 10a-2p daily. Compensation will be sent within one week of the completed workshop in the amount of $240 via Zelle or Venmo. All potential collaborators must be available for the entire audition/workshop—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

-All potential collaborators should be comfortable with weight sharing (giving and taking), 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—participation in the workshop constitutes consent to video recording for this limited purpose

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

-No early preparation will be required—all readings, writings, and generation will occur at the audition

-All invited potential collaborators should refrain from attending with any substances which could trigger an allergic response—including some particular foods (like nuts/nut products), or certain strong scents

 

Follow up 30-minute interviews for finalists will be scheduled based on individual availability the week of February 17, conducted either in person or via Zoom. All audition participants will be notified of the final outcome by February 23. Rehearsals will begin March 2025. 

 

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

 

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

 

In order to fulfill our mission, CMD is dedicated to building and sustaining an organizational culture grounded in diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging. We are committed to hiring and advancing collaborators who reflect and represent the rich diversity of NYC.