The Joffrey Academy of Dance, the official school of The Joffrey Ballet, has announced a national call for artists to submit applications for the Joffrey's Second Annual Choreographers of Color Award.
The goal of the award is to recognize promising young choreographers of color whose diverse perspective will ignite creativity in the form of original works of dance. The deadline for application is Oct. 1; winners will be notified by Nov. 1.
Three selected choreographers will be given a minimum of 30 rehearsal hours to set their pieces with the Joffrey Academy trainees. Each winning choreographer will also receive a $2,500 stipend and an opportunity to work directly with Joffrey Artistic Director Ashley C. Wheater and Academy artistic directors Alexei Kremnev and Anna Reznik.
Applicants must be at least 18, and the finished piece must be between 10-12 minutes long.
To apply, interested choreographers must submit the following by mail: a DVD with an excerpt of their choreography (maximum: five minutes) with a brief written description; a letter of intent describing one's interest in the competition and the kind of work that person will create; a headshot and curriculum vitae with three references; and, a general application, found online at www.joffrey.org/choreographersofcolor. There is no submission fee.
Materials can be mailed to: The Joffrey Ballet, Attn: Choreographers of Color Competition Selection Committee, 10 E. Randolph Street, Chicago, Ill., 60601.
