Blackbird Dance Company
Development Lab
This is a call for expressions of interest in the second season of Blackbird Dance Company and its Development Lab.
For 2025, we're seeking dancers with an advanced level in Flamenco for the Company and dancers with an intermediate level or higher for the Development Lab, Company Track. All Company members participate in Development Lab classes, rehearsals and performances. Dancers on the Company Track participate in classes and have the opportunity to either observe and/or participate in rehearsals. Company Track artists may, if desired and subject to discussion, participate in performances as well. Some performance experience is preferable, but not required.
Dancers wishing to perform should be based in or near the NYC or tri-state area or be willing to travel for rehearsals and performances.
Our second season begins in January 2025 and ends in December 2025, with plenty of scheduled time throughout the year for rest. This long-term program includes work to develop technique, artistry and repertory.
EXPECTATIONS:
Artists will work on the following techniques each week:
Danza estilizada
Flamenco
Dances of the African continent and/or diaspora
Classical ballet
Artists will also receive specialized workshops in castanets at a frequency to be determined.
All of the above-mentioned classes will be fully covered by the company. Rehearsals and performances are paid for Company members.
Classes offered within the framework of the Lab are intended to be supplementary to an already robust practice schedule. Artists are strongly encouraged to practice outside of these hours. Artists may request financial assistance to pay for studio rentals, and accommodations will be made wherever possible.
Artists should be autonomous and able to commit to attending classes and rehearsals and in a hybrid format.
Artists expressing interest in the Company should be able to commit to group rehearsals (dates and times to be determined once group has been determined).
TO EXPRESS INTEREST:
Please contact blackbirddances@gmail.com with the following:
A recent headshot
A brief (no more than 200 words) statement on what Flamenco means to you
A YouTube or Vimeo link to performance, rehearsal or class video of the applicant. Please limit video to 2 minutes or indicate which 2 minutes of a longer video you would like to be viewed.
DEADLINES:
Please send in expressions of interest by October 8, 2024 at 11:59 pm.
Dancers will be notified by October 22, 2024.
Selected dancers are requested to confirm their intention to participate by November 5, 2024.
Lab starts the week of January 12, 2024.
PLEASE SEND QUESTIONS TO: blackbirddances@gmail.com
Blackbird Dance Company is a young ensemble, having been launched in the summer of 2023. We are a group of determined artists who come together weekly to train in Flamenco, stylized Spanish dance, classical ballet and now African dances. In May 2024, we staged our first, unique production, entitled “The Message”, which combined live and recorded music, choreographed and improvised dance, spoken word and media to address our climate grief. We endeavor to create powerful work that addresses pressing questions, always holding fast to the healing potential of art.