SDC Foundation is now accepting submissions for the next GUEST ARTIST INITIATIVE OPPORTUNITY: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in Urbana, IL
The Department of Dance at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is seeking a Choreographer through SDCF’s Guest Artist Initiative Program to create a dance piece (a 12-15 minute new work or re-creation of a finished work by a notable contemporary choreographer) on their students. The work will be performed in the November Dance 2015—an annual concert featuring works by faculty and guest artists in the 700-seat Cowell Playhouse Theater in the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts.
The SDCF Guest Artist will be responsible for auditioning, casting and rehearsing the students for 3-4 weeks prior to the performance, and collaborating with student and faculty designers. In addition to creating a new work the Guest Artist will teach a daily technique class for students, allowing for a deeper integration of the artist into the university community, and to familiarize the dancers with the specifics of the artist’s aesthetic. University dance majors have extensive training in modern dance, ballet and various global forms. The Department of Dance selects Guest Artists that augment, contrast, or complement current faculty in their professional practices, aesthetics, or training background and strives to provide opportunities for students that extend beyond the departments normal capacity.
The SDCF Guest Artist will have access to all campus facilities and events, including the nation’s second largest academic library, two outstanding recreational facilities, and tickets to performances at the Krannert Center. A furnished apartment will be provided, within walking distance of the rehearsal studios. The Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit provides bus transportation throughout campus and the surrounding community. A car is not provided. One round-trip airfare (or bus, train, or mileage reimbursement) will be provided within the duration of the residency.
SCHEDULE
Design Conferences and Meetings: The Guest Artist would be either present in person or via remote technology for initial weekly design conversations and meetings in accordance with the production calendar. (August 15 – November 15. Production Meetings via Skype)
Auditions and Callbacks: Aug. 24 – 28, 2015
Rehearsals would begin in September or October 2015, scheduled Monday through Saturday, 2-3 hours/day tbd.
Performances: November 11-14, 2015.
Note: There is a possibility of scheduling for performance in February Dance 2016, if early fall residency is an issue.
FEE & DETAILS
The directing fee for this project will be $10,000 plus standard SDC Pension of 8% and Health (currently a $1700 contribution).
APPLICATION PROCESS
To apply for this Guest Artist position, please submit the following materials by email to SDCFPrograms@SDCweb.org. When submitting, please follow these instructions carefully:
Subject line: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Guest Artist
Include one pdf or doc titled “UIUC Your Last Name” (for example, UIUC Smith) containing in this order:
1. Cover Letter and Project Statement – 2 pages maximum. This letter/statement should reflect briefly on your artistic values, your approach to the process, and why you would like to choreograph a piece in this university environment, working with student designers, technicians and actors. Please describe if you are interested in creating a new work or re-setting a repertory work. Address statement to “Department of Dance Faculty.” Information about the Department of Dance can be found at: http://www.dance.uiuc.edu/
2. Choreography – please include a link to one full work, and several excerpts. If you are considering setting an existing work, please include a link to the piece under consideration.
3. Resume – 2 pages maximum. Please focus on your professional choreography experience as opposed to teaching experience; while teaching is relevant, you are applying for a choreographer position, not a faculty position. You may include a list of courses/workshops or master classes taught, included in the 2-page maximum.
4. A list of 3 references (names, emails and phone numbers) that we may contact regarding your artistic work.
NOTE THE ABOVE THREE ITEMS SHOULD BE COMBINED IN ONE DOCUMENT OR PDF
Please do not submit additional materials such as press materials, quotes, or photos. If these are included, you will be asked to resubmit.Application deadline is September 15, 2014 at noon eastern time. There will be no extensions whatsoever for any reason. Please be sure to submit materials with time to accommodate any issues you may experience with electronic submission. If you are unable to email the documents, you may mail them to the Foundation, but they must be in the Foundation office by September 15 at noon eastern time; this is a receipt date, not a postmark date. Selection is expected by the middle of October, and late submissions will not be considered.
Only Full SDC Members in good standing are eligible to be hired for positions through the Guest Artist Initiative. Please note that although the school will make all hiring decisions, SDCF will collect all application materials for the school. Do not contact the school directly; this program is designed to make it easier for schools to hire professionals and, thus, we will be acting as administrator (though SDCF plays no role in selection).
Please direct any questions regarding this program to SDCFPrograms@sdcweb.org using subject line: UIUC Guest Artist
About SDCF’s Guest Artist Initiative Program:
The Guest Artist Initiative Program enables SDCF to facilitate and fund the hiring of professional SDC Directors and Choreographers to helm theatre productions at universities and colleges across the country. To date, funding and facilitation services have been granted to Arizona State University, Fordham University, Louisiana State University, Marymount Manhattan College, Michigan State University, Morehead University, Southern Illinois University, University of Evansville, and University Nevada Las Vegas. All American colleges and universities are invited to apply. An SDCF panel comprised of professional directors and choreographers, arts administrators, and college educators select productions for the award. Two proposals receive funding and facilitation services, and several more are offered free facilitation services. The schools are solely responsible for selecting the Guest Artist among SDC Members applicants.