CALL FOR DANCE MAKERS

Applications are open for Small Plates Choreography Festival, a series of four curated dance performances to be presented on November 7, 2025 at 8:00 pm, November 8, 2025 at 4:00 and 8:00 pm, November 9, 2025 at 6:00 pm at Chapman Steamer Arts located in the vibrant artistic community of Newburgh, NY. 

Directed by Carlye Eckert and Beth McKee Elliott

Performances: 
November 7, 2025 at 8:00 pm 
November 8, 2025 at 4:00 and 8:00 pm 
November 9, 2025 at 6:00 pm

Application Deadline: August 1
Notification: September 1
Confirmation: One week after acceptance

Programming

Solo, duet, and trio dance works of any dance genre up to 15 minutes in length will be considered for inclusion in two consecutive performances. Due to the capacity of the space, we must limit the total number of performers.

Any genre of live dance work from US-based dance makers will be considered. We are most interested in work that explores the intimate nature of this performance, the uniqueness of the venue, and the impact on the community/audience. Accepted applicants are expected to perform the piece with which they applied.

Venue 
Chapman Steamer Arts is an intimate performance space that seats approximately 35 people with a 200 square foot performance area covered with Marley flooring. There are no wings or crossover, but there is a small backstage changing area. The performers may be seated in the audience prior to and after they perform.

Technical Support Technical rehearsal will take place on the evening of Thursday, November 6, afternoon of Friday November 7, and a limited number of early afternoon time slots prior to performances Saturday, November 7. Please consider technical rehearsals along with your travel needs.

Each artist will be given 20-30 minutes for sound check, light cues, and spacing in the performance area. There is minimal theatrical lighting with basic looks available.

The space does not have the ability to black out all light, therefore the Saturday afternoon performance will be partially lit by sunlight entering the space through large windows in the venue.

Small Plates creates a growth environment by facilitating interface with the audience after each performance. The artist/audience interface is what makes Small Plates truly special, and the arts-infused community of Newburgh, NY never fails to bring thought-provoking inquiry and enthusiastic and fun engagement between and after the performances. 

Video
Please submit a video link in your application for consideration. Studio footage of work-in-progress is acceptable.

Fees
An application fee of $50.00 per piece is required. Your fee must be paid before your work will be considered. All fees collected directly support the selected artists in their performance(s). We do not have the ability to waive fees.

Adjudication
Entries will be adjudicated by career dance professionals, and programming decisions will weigh the opinions of the adjudicators alongside other factors, including balancing the program between local and traveling artists. Final programming decisions will be made by the director and the performance host.

Compensation
Choreographers who have their work chosen will be responsible for their own travel and accommodations and will be supported with a per-dancer stipend of at least $100. Choreographers will receive a video and photographs of their performance after the show. We also provide backstage snacks and water and a meal between performances.

Small Plates is not able to assist international choreographers in obtaining visas, therefore we must limit this call to US based artists only..

Dates
The deadline to apply is August 1, 2025. You will be notified by email on or before September 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 file.

To apply, please complete the entire form at www.smallplatesdance.com and pay an application fee.

Email smallplatesdance@gmail.com with any questions.