Step Up Dance Programme

Step Up: Dance Project 2019:

Open Call for Recent Dance Graduates

Step Up Dance Programme 2019 brings a new outlook and continues to bridge the gap between dance education and professional contemporary dance practice in Ireland.  Step Up is curated by Irish born, Marguerite Donlon, International choreographer and Director of “Donlon Dance Collective”, based in Berlin.

This year’s programme combines creating three brand new works with International choreographers, working on specific technical skills, from a renowned improvisation teacher, learning repertoire from one of the greatest masters in dance, personal coaching, followed by performances in three cities, by the six selected dancers who have completed their professional training within the last three years. Step Up will enhance young dancers’ professional networks by connecting them to the Irish and international contemporary dance community, thereby improving their professional opportunities for young dancers in Ireland and abroad. 

Creation and Performance of new choreographies

Three new works by international choreographers will be specially created for the 6 dancers.

Marguerite Donlon, Choreographer (Ireland, Germany), further information at www.donlon.de. A new mid length choreography

Francesco Vecchione, Choreographer (Italy, Spain), further information at http://francescovecchione.net/. A new short choreography

Emanuele Saovi, Choreographer (Germany, Italy), further information at  http://emanuelesoavi.de. A new short choreography

Training

Prof Dieter Heitkamp.  Improvisation teacher (Germany),

An in-depth workshop on improvisation techniques by one of their greatest teachers in this field. A dance piece may develop out of this process and will be subsequently performed with the other works.  Further information at   https://www.hfmdkfrankfurt.info/index.php?id=528&L=0&tx_mnmportrait_pi1%5Buid%5D=1322

English:  http://biennale-tanzausbildung.de/en/participants/teachers/dieter-heitkamp-2/

Rainer Behr.  Pina Bausch Repertory teacher (Germany),

Reiner Behr, is a long time dancer with Pina Bausch.  Participants will learn repertoire choreography as well as the philosophy and deeper meaning of each movement handed down to Reiner directly from Pina Bausch. Further information at http://www.pinabausch.de/en/person/show/rainer-behr/

Eoin Mac Donncha.  Ballet master and Rehearsal Director (Ireland)

Eoin trained at The Rambert School of Ballet in London before working at various state theatres in Germany including Stadtheater Giessen and Staatstheter Saarbrucken. He has worked with the Cathy Sharp Dance Company, Switzerland, the Expressions Dance Company, Australia, and has danced for Ballet Hagen under the direction of renown choreographers including Wayne McGreggor. Currently, he works as a soloist in Budapest with choreographer Pál Frenák.  Eoin has taught at the Hong Kong academy of performing arts in Hong Kong, and has set a piece for the students of the graduating year there.

Eoin will teach morning class and will assist the choreographers and rehearse the new works. He will be in the studio at all times, to assist with artistic matters.

Personal Development

Independent dance artists are required to initiate their own opportunities, to manage their career paths and often their own projects.  The Personal Development aspect of the Step Up programme aims to give participants a broad toolkit or road map for taking the next steps in their career path.  Activities will include

Coaching with Rivca Rubin. Personal Coach. (England)

Rivca encourages artists to ascertain their vision, locate the essence and refine their practice, grow purpose, align practice to values, and create working cultures people engage with, flourish and enjoy working in.  Further information about Rivca and her work - http://www.rivcarubin.com

Meeting key personnel within the dance field in Ireland

Meeting Step Up Alumni to hear their experiences since participating in Step Up

Workshop with Jenny Traynor, Programme Director, emphasising self-empowerment, tips and guidance on presenting yourself professionally, online and in applications to dance companies, programmers and funders.  

Timeframe / Key Dates

The full rehearsal / performance period runs from Monday 24 June– Saturday 31 August, using state of the art studios and facilities at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at UL initially, and then at Dance Limerick, before performing in Limerick, Cork and Dublin.

Terms & Conditions

• Rehearsals will take place 10.00 – 6.00 pm Monday to Saturday for the duration of the rehearsal period.  Some additional hours in the evening may be required, as the discretion of the choreographers.
• Accommodation will be provided for the first part of rehearsals on campus at UL, and subsequently in artist-friendly houses in the city for the second period of rehearsals
• Tour accommodation and tour travel as required, will be arranged and paid for by Step Up.
• A small weekly stipend will be paid toward day to day living costs
• Participants must be available on an exclusive basis for the full programme.

Applications

We are seeking applications from exceptional young dancers who will graduate before mid-June 2019 or who have graduated from professional level dance training within the past three years.  

Please send your CV and a personal statement describing why you would like to be involved in Step Up and confirming your availability for the full programme which runs Monday 24 June to Saturday 31 August 2019.

Applicants should send web links of recent live dance footage, to include

• 10 minutes of contemporary and/or ballet technique class material, ideally of you performing during the class in which you learnt it.  If not, then footage of you performing the material outside of the class setting is also acceptable.
• An excerpt of a dance solo (performed in a studio or live performance.)
• An excerpt of a group piece, in a studio or live performance
• Please identify yourself clearly (in group footage) so we know who you are

Next Steps

A shortlist of applicants will be invited to an audition on 29 March.  Six dancers will be selected from audition to take part in the Step Up 2019 programme and letters of offer will be sent in the week of 1 April.

Step Up Dance Programme is a partnership between Dance Limerick, Dance Ireland, the Irish World Academy for Music and Dance at the University of Limerick and the Arts Council.