Performer Application

Deadline: May 1, 2025 at 5pm

All applicants will be notified by May 15, 2025

There is no fee to apply

The Indy Dance Festival performances consist of 2 different programs, presented Saturday July 19th & Sunday July 20th at the Tobias Theatre at Newfields

We welcome applications from groups or individuals in the following categories:

local professionals/adult artists
youth/pre-professional artists
out-of-town professionals/adult artists

Applications are reviewed by an independent adjudication panel of dance experts from a range of backgrounds and dance styles. Feedback will be made available to applicants upon request. Selected performers/groups will receive a up to a $500 honorarium.

Unfortunately we are unable to cover travel expenses but will do our best to assist out-of-town performers with housing support, as available.

Eligibility Criteria:

Must be available either July 19th or 20th, 2025 for a daytime technical rehearsal and evening performance. Please indicate if you are available both days.
Proposed pieces must not exceed 15 minutes in length for group pieces, or 7 minutes in length for solos.

Application Must Include:

Applicant name (Company, performance group, or individual(s))
Contact name and email
Title of piece (or working title)
Name of choreographer(s)/creator(s)
Number of performers (or estimated – final casting information will be due at a later date)
Length of piece (no longer than 15 minutes for group pieces or 7 minutes for solos)
Any technical requirements
Performance Sample – Please provide a link to a video that best represents the performance you are proposing (i.e. Youtube, Vimeo, or website link). Video of the actual work to be performed is strongly preferred but not required.
Completed Performer Application Demographics Table

Questions? Please reach out at indydancefestival@indydancecouncil.org

Adjudication Considerations:

We recognize that all art is unique and difficult to measure. Our panel of adjudicators will carefully consider each application on its individual merits, but will place emphasis on:

Artistic quality & merit, including:
- Technical quality
- Use of storytelling and creative expression
- Exposing audiences to underrepresented dance histories or cultures
Contribution to your local community
Variation in style and content as it fits into the rest of the program
Diversity in representation of artists, both performer(s) and choreographer(s)

2025 Adjudicators

Announcement coming soon